Are road bikes suitable for use on trails?

[RhythMick]

I've always assumed that light road bikes would be too delicate for use on canal paths, trails, anything other than the smoothest of surfaces. Is that right ?

The reason I ask is that assumption led me to buy a general purpose all rounder type bike, capable of taking whatever I threw at it. Planet X Kaffenback. It turns out after a bike fit that the frame is about as far away from suiting me as I could get. Way too small. I might well be considering getting a different bike and so I'm back to thinking about what I need. Commutes are mostly road with a few lengths of trail which can be a little rough in places (inc cobbles). Rides with the family tend to be canal paths, trans pennine trail etc. Longer rides at weekends tend to be either 50+mile road rides or 30ish mile mixed surface.

Going down the same line of thinking I'd look at something like the Cannondale CAADX Disc Ultegra. If I went for a lighter more road oriented bike would I be petrified of ever taking it on trails?

 

[Milo]

Never stopped me when I had a road bike. Wont be very comfy and will mean more cleaning but perfectly doable. Although If I wanted something that was more of an all rounder I would go for a tourer/audux bike or even a cross type bike.

 

[potsy]

I've taken my road bike on some rough surfaces, it's not too bad when it's dry but the ride comfort is not the best, personally I would want something that can take at least a 28mm tyre, though I run 35's on my Tricross

 

[HovR]

I've always assumed that light road bikes would be too delicate for use on canal paths, trails, anything other than the smoothest of surfaces. Is that right ?

Simply put, nope. I've taken my road bike down some pretty interesting green-lanes and trails before. It's a bit sketchy on the thin tires, but the bike isn't going to fall apart! You're mostly limited by traction and the skill of the rider rather than strength of the bike. Check out my thread here - The only reason I turned back was the fact parts of the trail turned into 6 to 12 inches of mud.

And that's not to mention the multiple videos of trials riders doing their usual trials style tricks on CF road bikes that can be found on YouTube!

Saying that, a cross bike would be more suited to that sort of terrain, and more appropriate tires can be fitted due to the extra clearance - Sounds like a cross bike would be ideal for you from your description of your riding.

 

[RhythMick]

Fast responses and thanks. I'm leaning towards cross bikes too.

Lets ask the quests the other way then. Lets say I buy something like this ...

http://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes/road/cyclocross/caadx/caadx-disc-ultegra-compact-crankset

I want to do my first century ride soon, which will be pure road and fairly flat too. Would I regret having gone for the CX and be wishing I had the super light carbon jobby?

That said, I'm 213 lbs so not sure the carbon jobby would ever suit me lol.

 

[Rob3rt]

The road bike frame will easily take those conditions, but you might not be able to fit tyres wide or knobbly enough to cope with muddier sections on the towpath if it is a muddy one or the Pennine way if it is quite off roady (not familiar with it). So despite, being anti "CX bike is the answer to everything", in your case I think a road based hybrid or a CX bike might better suit your usage.

Plus the CAADX Ultegra Disc is a sweet CX bike, I want one myself (to race CX on ofc!)

 

[RhythMick]

Thanks. As it happens the PX frame is so far too small for me it might just suit my 12 year old. He's tall for his age. SRAM RED equipped too, Christ !

 

[mikeIow]

http://mashable.com/2012/10/09/epic-bike-ride/
Road bikes can do almost anything

 

[Licramite]

well the bike on the left does anything you throw at it,it bounces around a bit on really rough terrain, but it will take it

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

commute down the grand union canal, my bike of choice is a carbon framed road bike with electronic shifting and carbon wheels.. don't have any issues I do not get on the road

 

[Oldspice]

Rolling on 25's is ok. I just don't do the ridge of bricks an the bridges. PS puncture proof tyres will make your pleasure last longer.

 

[gavintc]

IMO, it is not the bike, but the wheels. Acknowledging the video with a Pinarello, personally I would not abuse my bike in that way and I cautious with where I take it. I know it will handle more - I did the Tour of Flanders on cobbles, but like to keep this level of abuse to minimum.

 

[Rob3rt]

commute down the grand union canal, my bike of choice is a carbon framed road bike with electronic shifting and carbon wheels.. don't have any issues I do not get on the road

Is it all paved? My local canal towpath's are often pretty muddy.

To the OP, If the places you want to ride are paved (smooth or cobbles etc) or some sort of hard matter that doesn't get boggy and slimey (proper mud etc) then a road bike is fine and will suit your other riding better.

But I would for sure want some grippier tyres to ride on my local canal towpaths and my road bikes don't have such clearances. A carbon or any other material road bike would structurally take the ride fine, not even worth concerning yourself about, but it wouldn't be particularly enjoyable nor all that safe to ride on the canal towpaths I run on due to the mud. I am always hesitant to suggest a CX bike to people, because most people only really consider them because they think road bikes are fragile and can't take a few cobbles or a bit of non perfect surface now and then, which is not the case. But in the case where you will encounter boggy mud etc, then you may want to consider something able to run grippier tyres than many road frame will allow, a road based hybrid or CX bike are both good bets.

It is not a case of whether the frame will take the battering, but a case of whether the frame will provide enough clearence for the appropriate tyres on appropriate wheels.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

nope its not paved, its a mix of mud and occassional gravel. Not to mention rubbish left behind by the local drunks

 

[Rob3rt]

Do you not find it really slippy?