[AdamBike]

With trails wet and mostly closed where I'm at, I was wondering... is there another type of bike (road, comfort, gravel, hybrid, etc.) that you frequently enjoy riding as much (or almost as much) as your MTB? Why?

I've only spent the most time on a hardtail and a BMX (for pump tracks), and little to no time on some of the other types of bikes. So I'm curious. I will say I'd probably avoid road because I don't like the hunched over position and am seeking a little more comfort.

 

[OldMike]

Nothing compares to the dry, warm MTB riding the summer offers, however I recently picked up a Fatbike to get me out in the Winter months a few times/wk..
Definitely not as enjoyable (or frequent) as Summer MTB, but better than using the stationary indoors all week.

 

[834905]

I think gravel bikes are actually pretty damn fun personally. I mainly use them for exploring though, which is by far my favorite type of riding. It’s nice to be able to go out and jump on and off the road without dragging a giant mtb tire down the pavement. I’ve found a lot of cool new places on a gravel bike just by going out and getting lost.

 

[Skeeno]

I have a rigid MTB that I primarily use for bikepacking, but it has 2.6 tires, so it's pretty decent for winter hardpack snow or frozen mud riding. Also have a gravel bike that doubles as a road bike/zwift trainer when things get too wet out there. I still try to get out 1-2 times a week during the winter.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

 

[fly4130]

Gravel when I must, either due to mechanical issues with other bikes or trail conditions not being suitable. It is not the worst to sit and spin and a good fitness base is essential, but I live in the flat lands so elevation and curves are limited. I do have some nice forest preserve gravel that has trees, hills, and curves so most of my gravel riding takes place there. Lots of loops, but better than a straight line on a road.

I have a DJ as well to mix things up and love hitting pump tracks. Fat biking in the winter, which I really like and keeps the pedaling and outside activity going all year. My biggest month for miles in 2021 was January. I even took a few days off work to chase fresh snow and pack trails myself.

 

[mack_turtle]

we don't have "winter" in Texas, but the trails turn to peanut butter after some rain. On those days, I turn to my gravel bike. it's fast and fun on the road, but doesn't flinch at some gravel paths and hard-packed singletrack. every so often I take it on some more technical trails and it's a wild challenge to ride a rigid, drop-bar bike without a dropper and 47mm wide tires, and a 38/17 singlespeed gear.

above, Twin Six Standard Rando 53cm with Cowbell bar. pre-race test ride of Castell Grind 100K.

 

[Loll]

Time and again I would go back to the dirt jumper and use it for observed Trial riding. But is been a couple years now, and the rear wheel hop is not as they once were when I had time to practice daily.

Good fun, even inside the garage on a rainy day just practicing.

 

[AdamBike]

Very cool so far... like the photos too.

 

[RickBullottaPA]

I like riding gravel, supermodels, and snowboards.

 

[fly4130]

@SingleSpeedSteven I am having some trust issues with you at the moment.

 

[AdamBike]

Not to derail too much, but for those who have mentioned gravel... how comfortable is the drop bar / hunched over position? It always appeared like it would be hard to ride more than a few minutes like that.

 

[UPSed]

Gravel bike for me. Trails take several days to dry out around here. The gravel bike allows me to cover more ground and check fire road/trail conditions along my chosen route.

 

[fly4130]

I have a Surly Crosscheck as my gravel bike and have a long steerer tube to keep the bars up a bit more. Its still a drop bar bike, but my saddle and bars are closer to level than a road or cross bike. You get used to it. I don't find it uncomfortable at all. Most of my rides are 3-4 hours. Drops give you options for your hands so you can adjust as needed.

 

[834905]

@SingleSpeedSteven I am having some trust issues with you at the moment.

I only ride in one gear at a time... that's what single speed means, right?!

 

[BicyclesOnMain]

Not to derail too much, but for those who have mentioned gravel... how comfortable is the drop bar / hunched over position? It always appeared like it would be hard to ride more than a few minutes like that.

You're not supposed to be hunched over. Most people's experience with drop bars is on a 70's era Schwinn that's two sizes too big. Of course some people lack the flexibility to ride a bicycle that way, and some just need a little time to get used to it.
All you are doing on a drop bar bike, is arching your back, opening your shoulders and relaxing your neck like you were sitting with perfect posture on a kitchen chair, and then rotating that forward. Your neck isn't strained, you can breath easily and there is little pressure on your hands. Drop bars offer more hand positions, which is why they have been so popular for 100 years, and improvements in component design/geometry have only made them better. On a gravel bike they are even higher, so quite nice for longer rides.

 

[834905]

Here you go, just so I don't look like a total fake.

 

[J.B. Weld]

Love my road racer but apparently I'm a f-ing weirdo.

Not to derail too much, but for those who have mentioned gravel... how comfortable is the drop bar / hunched over position? It always appeared like it would be hard to ride more than a few minutes like that.

My road bike is set up pretty aggressive (bars much lower than my seat) and I'm a more comfy after a 4 hour ride on that than I am after a 4 hour mtb ride. Your results may vary.

 

[North woods gal]

How difficult is it to go back and forth between a mountain bike and a drop bar bike? Really depends on the individual. I used to do it on a regular basis, sometimes switching between the two types of bikes in one day. I'm at an age now where my body just can't take the stretching involved, especially my back, so I've been all flat bar for several years. I do get tempted to try another drop bar gravel bike, though, because I had some good ones over the years. Still, I can do all the exploring and gravel riding I need to do with one of the mtbs. Not the same as a good drop bar gravel bike, of course, but doable.

 

[BadgerOne]

Love my roadie too, but it's up for sale at the moment. The problem with road bikes is that you have to ride them on the road. I just don't trust drivers with my life, especially in the era of infotainment systems and everyone staring into their phone screens as they drive. I do love the road-ride head space though, there really is no substitute for it and I'm going to miss it.

When I lived in a snowy area? Fat bike. Got a lot of mileage out of it, even in good weather. I'd go adventure/bushwacking on it. Rode a lot of game trails into the hills with it. It was a pig but I learned to love it for what it was.

Now, drop-bar gravel/all-road (whatever the F that means). Got a steelie with big fat 650b wheels that will go anywhere within reason. I love just leaving from the house and going wherever and exploring all over. Pick the bike right, and you have something that is as fun and flexible on paved paths as it is on singletrack. They are great fun and I totally understand the explosion in their popularity.

 

[Sidewalk]

Over 30000 miles on this roadie alone. Doesn't include my previous road bikes (less miles) or gravel.

Photo below was after I finished the Sea Otter road race, then decided to keep on riding and went down to the coast for 100 or so miles total.

Not to derail too much, but for those who have mentioned gravel... how comfortable is the drop bar / hunched over position? It always appeared like it would be hard to ride more than a few minutes like that.

Depends. I find "hunched over" very comfortable. I have done 200 miles/14,000' climbing on my bike I just posted. Also raced it at BWR in San Diego (28mmm road tires on the gravel bits). I have also done plenty of miles on my old triathlon bike in comfort. You shouldn't be "hunched" though. My back is still straight most of the time. My bars are completely slammed and my seat is several inches above the bars, no issues at all for me.

My gravel bike is much more relaxed, but no more/less comfortable. But I rarely take it off road, mostly just become my winter commuter.

My trail bike is a 170 FS.