Which bike... mountain, hybrid or road?

[FlyingCyclist]

Why are drop handlebars used on cyclocross?

Wouldn't you topple over when your riding on a bumpy track/ground? How do you make yourself not fall over?

 

[KneesUp]

Why are drop handlebars used on cyclocross?

Wouldn't you topple over when your riding on a bumpy track/ground? How do you make yourself not fall over?

Not at all - in fact you used to be able to buy 'mountain bikes' with drops.

 

[Cyclist33]

Why are drop handlebars used on cyclocross?

Wouldn't you topple over when your riding on a bumpy track/ground? How do you make yourself not fall over?

You balance and practise! It's the same answer as for any riding.

 

[Tin Pot]

Road.

 

[sazzaa]

Why are drop handlebars used on cyclocross?

Wouldn't you topple over when your riding on a bumpy track/ground? How do you make yourself not fall over?

I barely use the drops, I ride on the hoods mostly. It's fine on bumpy trails.

 

[Ian A]

Where abouts in Keighley do you ride and on what surface? I've read your comments above but the reason I'm asking is there are the roads on the valley floor and trails and paths on the canal which are relatively easy. On the other hand there's the hills either side of the valley. Long Lee or the route past Cliff Castle up to Keighley Tarn are very different beasts to the old A650 or even the slow drag up to Haworth. I've ridden the canal paths on a road bike many times and been fine but I would only take a mtb with front sus or better on the paths/trails which go over the moorland. I've seen a few riders on CX bikes on the moors over the years but they are much more skilled than I am! If you have the money for a new bike you might do well to go have a chat at Aire Valley Cycles in Keighley or All Terrain Cycles at Salts Mill if you can get over there. Keith Lambert still has a shop in Bingley too.

 

[FlyingCyclist]

Where abouts in Keighley do you ride and on what surface? I've read your comments above but the reason I'm asking is there are the roads on the valley floor and trails and paths on the canal which are relatively easy. On the other hand there's the hills either side of the valley. Long Lee or the route past Cliff Castle up to Keighley Tarn are very different beasts to the old A650 or even the slow drag up to Haworth. I've ridden the canal paths on a road bike many times and been fine but I would only take a mtb with front sus or better on the paths/trails which go over the moorland. I've seen a few riders on CX bikes on the moors over the years but they are much more skilled than I am! If you have the money for a new bike you might do well to go have a chat at Aire Valley Cycles in Keighley or All Terrain Cycles at Salts Mill if you can get over there. Keith Lambert still has a shop in Bingley too.

I've cycled along the canal in both directions from Keighley, to Skipton and towards Leeds.
I actually live near Keighley Tarn, so I would be riding hills striaght away in every direction I take. I've also ridden to Skipton along the road.

I took my bike to Scotland last week and enjoyed riding the Crinan Canal, which is mostly the fine gravel stuff and road for say 1/2 a mile.
There's also the single track road where I stay and isn't in too bad of shape, a few potholes, road is uneven in some places. There's also a track over the hill to Castle Sween from Loch Caolisport which is bumpy and has lots of potholes filled in (I won't be riding this much.

I'm actually thinking about a road bike, maybe put more of a tread on the bike if I ride on uneven road?

I won't be buying a new bike for some time, so I have a while a to think about it all of which sort of bike I want.

 

[vickster]

Cyclocross worth a look. On most roadbikes you'll be limited to 23 or 25mm tyres, especially if wanting mudguards

If hilly, SRAM with an 11-32 cassette may work for you

 

[Ian A]

Cyclo cross would certainly be worth a look or maybe a steel framed tourer with a triple for the variety of roads available to you. There are 26" wheel tourers for the rougher stuff if you ride less on the roads. If you have a bike to use now which you are happy with it's ensible to wait and see which kind of riding you do most. It's great cycling country where you live for a big variety of riding.

 

[FlyingCyclist]

Cyclo cross would certainly be worth a look or maybe a steel framed tourer with a triple for the variety of roads available to you. There are 26" wheel tourers for the rougher stuff if you ride less on the roads. If you have a bike to use now which you are happy with it's ensible to wait and see which kind of riding you do most. It's great cycling country where you live for a big variety of riding.

I'll be riding on roads 99% of the time

 

[vickster]

Get a roadbike then, why would you want suspension!? Crap surfaces, go for 25mm tyres and a carbon fork. Or steel

 

[FlyingCyclist]

Get a roadbike then, why would you want suspension!? Crap surfaces, go for 25mm tyres and a carbon fork. Or steel

I don't want suspension any way

 

[vickster]

You need to edit your original post then

 

[KneesUp]

How good are you with spanners? I'm building (slowly) a commuter/tourer/advenrture bike out of an old hybrid that I got for nothing.

It will need quite a few spare parts - the whole drivetrain is very worn, although it works - and because I'm making it drop-bar it will also need bar end shifters and new brake levers - but doing all that is cheaper than buying a new bike, and it means I can get exactly what I want. The frame can take tyres up to 50mm.

I will end up with a 700c drop-bar bike with 38c tyres (although it can have any from 23mm to 50mm if I swap the wheeels) so it will be nice and comfy but will have the flexibility of the drops. I do own a mountian bike but I don't do trails of anything madly muddy - I don't see how that can be fun, but each to their own! What I hope though is that the finished bike will be useable as a commuter, for longer rides (it has rack mounts) and for mild off-roading, so I can go up into the Peaks on road and then explore a bit. Basically it's going to be a bit Salsa Fargo-ish - heavier and less well-specced, obviously, but also £1300 cheaper.

 

[FlyingCyclist]

How good are you with spanners? I'm building (slowly) a commuter/tourer/advenrture bike out of an old hybrid that I got for nothing.

It will need quite a few spare parts - the whole drivetrain is very worn, although it works - and because I'm making it drop-bar it will also need bar end shifters and new brake levers - but doing all that is cheaper than buying a new bike, and it means I can get exactly what I want. The frame can take tyres up to 50mm.

I will end up with a 700c drop-bar bike with 38c tyres (although it can have any from 23mm to 50mm if I swap the wheeels) so it will be nice and comfy but will have the flexibility of the drops. I do own a mountian bike but I don't do trails of anything madly muddy - I don't see how that can be fun, but each to their own! What I hope though is that the finished bike will be useable as a commuter, for longer rides (it has rack mounts) and for mild off-roading, so I can go up into the Peaks on road and then explore a bit. Basically it's going to be a bit Salsa Fargo-ish - heavier and less well-specced, obviously, but also £1300 cheaper.

Nah. I think I'll just buy a new bike when I can. Thanks anyway.