To be perfectly honest, one of the items from my childhood that I miss the most is going for a bike ride. Back when I was about 17 I picked up my first real mountain bike, a Specialized Rockhopper. Compared to most modern mountain bikes, it was a bit lacking – it didn’t have shocks, or fancy XTR equipment, but it was fun to ride and was a fairly modern metal matrix design (at the time). I remember a lot of good memories of hanging out with Jeff and Brennen and heading into the trees for an afternoon of biking. One time in particular we decided to cross the Chilliwack River with our bikes, only to end up being swept about a kilometre down the river while desperately holding onto our bikes – good memories.
Most of my friends these days now have road bikes, and that seems to be more conducive to actually using the bike. Maybe it was because we were so close to nature in Chilliwack, or maybe it was because road bikes simply weren’t popular back then, but almost everyone I knew had a mountain bike. In Vancouver I suspect there aren’t many easy to access places to use a mountain bike, unless of course you live near the Endowment Lands or on the North Shore somewhere. So a road bike probably makes more sense.
That said, as soon as I put down roots again somewhere I think I’d like to get back into biking. I still haven’t decided if I’d go the mountain bike route again or road biking, but I’m open to suggestions.
Maybe it’s because I used to be a mountain biker, but for some reason road biking just seems kind of boring to me. Plus having to deal with traffic seems like a pain in the ass, where typically on a mountain biking trail you’re mostly by yourself and there aren’t many distractions. I have the perfect car to put a bike rack on, so having to drive a short distance to hit the trails doesn’t really bother me.
About five years ago I went down to a bike shop to buy a bike, and ended up grabbing a cheap ($300) hybrid bike – basically a cross between a mountain bike and a road bike. Unfortunately I never really liked that bike, and it was never really ever “in tune”, so the gear shifting was always a bit clunky. And because it was a hybrid, it wasn’t really good at anything – the tires were big by road biking standards, and the bike was under powered for any serious off-roading. So, when I moved back to Chilliwack I gave it to my mom, and I hope she’s gotten more use out of it than I did.
I realize it’s hard to compare road biking to mountain biking, as they are different beasts entirely. But I’d love some feedback from bikers as to what they would recommend, or at least what they are into these days.
I’ve got a mountain bike with front shocks only, a Kona I’ve ridden since 2003.
Knobby tires suck for wasting energy on commutes but I switch to more-slick-than-not semi-slicks, and they’re great even on UBC’s trails, which start 6km from my house. I also like riding on the dikes.
I think it comes down to what you like.
I used to mountain bike on the North Shore every weekend. It was an expensive hobby: used my bike cost $3k, plus my helmet and body armour.
It became too dangerous for me as I got older. Cross country mountain biking could be fun though, as opposed to the steep North Shore trails
Most of my old mountain biking buddies have traded their armour for spandex and now ride in groups on tricked out Cannondale street bikes.
Personally, I want to buy a cruiser. Something I can ride casually, and also take on light trails with the kids.
very vague requirements 🙂 don’t help
anyhow if you will be in vancouver or urban commuting to work then this (or something like it ) maintenance free fun commuter is perfect:
http://www.ecovelo.info/2011/02/12/road-test-raleigh-detour-deluxe/
somehow i doubt that’s what you are looking for but perhaps you will post more details later!
For a commuter a mountain bike with semi-slick tires is a great option. If you’re looking at long distances for exercise then a road bike might be the best option. If you’re headed into the mountains then a mountain bike.
A bike with semi-slick tires would let you have decent road efficiency and still get out on easy trails. Ultimately a fleet of bike is my preference. I know I could own 3 – 4 easy. Road, Mountain, cruiser for family outings. Just need a place to store them all.
A Specialized Rockhopper was my first serious Mountain Bike too. It got stolen in Calgary. I miss it.
Mine got stolen as well, and thus ended my mountain biking experience.
I picked up a Trek 4300 last spring for some trail riding in Gatineau Park. Made the summer awesome. In retrospect I should have spent a bit more for a lighter frame and better components. Still a solid bike.