Good bike on and off road?

[Justinitus]

i don't like drop bars but i think that has a lot to do with the fact i have ridden very drop bar bikes most of my cycling experience is on mountain bikes, i would probably get used to drop bars given time

I think the only way is to try one - Evans or again Cotic (they do the Escapade) should be local to you and be able to let you try various models out. I have a Specialised Diverge gravel bike which is quite an upright position compared to some gravel bikes - so less of a dramatic change of riding position for you. I don’t find it as easy to control on rougher ground as my flat bar bike but I’m not a very experienced cyclist either.

Another to consider maybe is the Giant Toughroad range of gravel bikes - available in both flat and drop bar versions. I have a flat bar version and it’s my favourite do-it-all bike. So comfy and reliable. I’d never sell it.

Once you’ve decided if a flat or drop bar bike would suit you better, you’ll be able to narrow down your options. Good luck, it’s exciting shopping for a new bike and you’ve got a decent enough budget too...so take your time and choose well!

 

[Racing roadkill]

i'll check that out, thanks



that does seem daft but i'm sure the bikes are fine, can you explain why you would avoid suspension?

The suspension travel is only 63mm so is really only there to keep the front end settled on rough surfaces, you couldn’t do proper XC or downhill MTB rides on it comfortably. Anyone who tells you you “don’t need suspension” on the light trails you seem to be talking about, clearly hasn’t hit a tree root at speed on a rigid forked bike.

 

[CXRAndy]

Except the OP doesn’t like drop bars

Plenty of bikes with flat bars. Boardman HyB series

 

[vickster]

Plenty of bikes with flat bars. Boardman HyB series

Are they technically sold/marketed as gravel or ‘adventure’ bikes though? Or hybrid/flat bar road?

The OP just needs to go and try a few out as suggested

 

[iandg]

i'll check that out, thanks

I've edited my post above regarding the cross check

 

[Korup7ion]

well you guys have given me plenty of suggestions to check out so i'll see if i can get a few test rides
out of curiosity how well would a light weight cross country mountain bike perform on the roads?

 

[CXRAndy]

well you guys have given me plenty of suggestions to check out so i'll see if i can get a few test rides
out of curiosity how well would a light weight cross country mountain bike perform on the roads?

Fine with the right tyres. You may top out the gearing if its low enough, its first main design is cross country.

 

[roadrash]

Silca with Boa closure..

https://silca.cc/products/seat-roll-grande-americano

i'll check that out, thanks



that does seem daft but i'm sure the bikes are fine, can you explain why you would avoid suspension?

for the type of riding you say you will be doing I think its unnecessary weight that's all

 

[CXRAndy]

Look at the HYB8.6 from Boardman, its a wide tyre, 48/32 crank with 11-34 cass. hydraulic brakes. Halfords sells them. You can get discount from BC membership

 

[Korup7ion]

Look at the HYB8.6 from Boardman, its a wide tyre, 48/32 crank with 11-34 cass. hydraulic brakes. Halfords sells them. You can get discount from BC membership

already seen that bike, it's on my shortlist to get a test ride and see what i think

 

[CXRAndy]

Also Giant Tough Road Slr 1

 

[Justinitus]

well you guys have given me plenty of suggestions to check out so i'll see if i can get a few test rides
out of curiosity how well would a light weight cross country mountain bike perform on the roads?

To give you an idea, I’m an enthusiastic overweight amateur rider - I’m no racer or mountain biker!

My usual round route of 11 miles of tarmac lanes, gravel road, bike paths and canal tow path:

Giant Toughroad flat bar bike fitted with 29x2.1” Schwalbe Thunder Burt Snakeskin tyres - average speed 12.4mph
vs
Specialised Diverge drop bar bike fitted with 700x35mm Continental Sport Contact tyres - average speed 13.1mph

So for me, hardly anything in it overall really. Diverge is faster and more responsive on the tarmac sections but slower over the gravel/rutted track sections. Opposite for the Toughroad.

I find the Toughroad more comfortable, but the Diverge more fun.

 

[Korup7ion]

just got back from evans cycles
tried out a couple of different hybrids and a hardtail mountain bike, the hybrids felt decent enough but didn't like the mountain bike much on the road then i decided to try out a gravel bike the trek checkpoint ALR 5
i was pretty unstable on it at the start as i wasn't really used to the skinnier tires and drop bars and almost cut the test ride short but i'm glad i didn't because once i started to get a feel for it i fell in love with it
it was so fast on the road, according to my phone i hit 40kph and was able to hold that speed i didn't get anywhere near that on the hybrid or mountain bike, the route i chose for my test ride also had a decently steep hill and the climb was much easier
after returning to the store i simply couldn't say no and bought it so ended up spending quite a bit more than i wanted to but i really did fall in love with it

on the ride home i decided to take the canal path and it performed really well across that as well and i was able to keep up a decent speed, this sunday i'm planning on riding from my home in sheffield to sherwood pines and back so i'll be able to put some real road and off road miles on it

thank you all for your suggestions and advice you really helped me narrow down what i was looking for

 

[CXRAndy]

Good for you

just got back from evans cycles
tried out a couple of different hybrids and a hardtail mountain bike, the hybrids felt decent enough but didn't like the mountain bike much on the road then i decided to try out a gravel bike the trek checkpoint ALR 5
i was pretty unstable on it at the start as i wasn't really used to the skinnier tires and drop bars and almost cut the test ride short but i'm glad i didn't because once i started to get a feel for it i fell in love with it
it was so fast on the road, according to my phone i hit 40kph and was able to hold that speed i didn't get anywhere near that on the hybrid or mountain bike, the route i chose for my test ride also had a decently steep hill and the climb was much easier
after returning to the store i simply couldn't say no and bought it so ended up spending quite a bit more than i wanted to but i really did fall in love with it

on the ride home i decided to take the canal path and it performed really well across that as well and i was able to keep up a decent speed, this sunday i'm planning on riding from my home in sheffield to sherwood pines and back so i'll be able to put some real road and off road miles on it

thank you all for your suggestions and advice you really helped me narrow down what i was looking for

 

[Justinitus]

Excellent! Now, don’t forget some photos!

just got back from evans cycles
tried out a couple of different hybrids and a hardtail mountain bike, the hybrids felt decent enough but didn't like the mountain bike much on the road then i decided to try out a gravel bike the trek checkpoint ALR 5
i was pretty unstable on it at the start as i wasn't really used to the skinnier tires and drop bars and almost cut the test ride short but i'm glad i didn't because once i started to get a feel for it i fell in love with it
it was so fast on the road, according to my phone i hit 40kph and was able to hold that speed i didn't get anywhere near that on the hybrid or mountain bike, the route i chose for my test ride also had a decently steep hill and the climb was much easier
after returning to the store i simply couldn't say no and bought it so ended up spending quite a bit more than i wanted to but i really did fall in love with it

on the ride home i decided to take the canal path and it performed really well across that as well and i was able to keep up a decent speed, this sunday i'm planning on riding from my home in sheffield to sherwood pines and back so i'll be able to put some real road and off road miles on it

thank you all for your suggestions and advice you really helped me narrow down what i was looking for