Help me buy a bike

wsp_scott

Member
.
Joined
May 16, 2016
Messages
1,256
My kids are getting old enough that they want me to get a bike. I've been looking at gravel forest roads and now I want a bike. I'm not interested in "crushing" trails or whatever the lingo is, but I'd like the ability to ride some easy single track as well as gravel roads. And I'd like the ability to do some bikepacking. I live in Kentucky and I'm not likely to be riding in SW CO or SE UT anytime soon, so I'm pretty sure I don't need a fat bike.

What would you suggest I look for in the $1000 - 1500 range. The guy at the local shop said that he thought a Surly bike would be ideal for what I described (something like their Ogre https://surlybikes.com/bikes/ogre)

So tire size? # of Gears? Suspension? Aluminum or steel? Other things I should be looking at?
 
My kids are getting old enough that they want me to get a bike. I've been looking at gravel forest roads and now I want a bike. I'm not interested in "crushing" trails or whatever the lingo is, but I'd like the ability to ride some easy single track as well as gravel roads. And I'd like the ability to do some bikepacking. I live in Kentucky and I'm not likely to be riding in SW CO or SE UT anytime soon, so I'm pretty sure I don't need a fat bike.

What would you suggest I look for in the $1000 - 1500 range. The guy at the local shop said that he thought a Surly bike would be ideal for what I described (something like their Ogre https://surlybikes.com/bikes/ogre)

So tire size? # of Gears? Suspension? Aluminum or steel? Other things I should be looking at?

The Surly is a good choice.

You may not need a fatbike but I would definitely check out a plus tire bike. Reason is you are in the hard tail market and the plus tires you can ride with lower pressure on dirt or gravel roads and it makes up a bit for lack of suspension. You don't really need suspension on a gravel road but then plus tires will make the ride a bit smoother.

Salsa Fargo is another good choice. I just tested both the Fargo and the Cutthroat. Loved them. I currently own a Mukluk and love the fatty. I will be getting one or the other. It all depends on how much I want to spend. But I am leaning towards the cutty with Jones H bars. I hate dropper bars.

Test ride a few before you buy one. Pay attention to the components on the bike more than the bike and frame. Better components make for a better ride. Just MHO.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
 
Key thing is that it fits you.
So tire size?- I'm sold on 29, but from what you have said- 27 plus is likely the best choice. These days though it seems like many bikes are coming with 2.6 tires which are not really all that "plus".
# of Gears?- 10 or 11 at rear, 1 at front is what most are running. Possibly some bikes still come with 2 chainrings which is fine also. While both Shimano and Sram make good drivetrains, I think that in the lower tiers- Shimano stuff is generally better.
Suspension?- not at your price range. You will get a much better level of components by going with a hardtail. And it doesn't sound like you will need FS anyway.
Aluminum or steel?- Not a big deal. Good frames are made in both materials. Alu may be a bit lighter. With two (high end) steel hardtails in my stable, I'm partial to steel.
Other things I should be looking at?- A good bike shop that is friendly, accommodating and willing to work to get you onto the right bike, for you.
 
Thanks for the guidance. I just did a little reading about 27.5+ tires/bikes so I have an idea what you both are saying. It sounds great for dirt/gravel and light trails.

Will I hate a 27.5+ on asphalt? If someday in the future I loaded up a plus bike to ride Yellowstone roads (like this https://backcountrypost.com/threads/bikepack-yellowstone-2019.8553/) would I be miserable or if I did not care about speed not have any problems? Or is it possible to switch to "normal" wheels/tires if I wanted to?
 
Thanks for the guidance. I just did a little reading about 27.5+ tires/bikes so I have an idea what you both are saying. It sounds great for dirt/gravel and light trails.

Will I hate a 27.5+ on asphalt? If someday in the future I loaded up a plus bike to ride Yellowstone roads (like this https://backcountrypost.com/threads/bikepack-yellowstone-2019.8553/) would I be miserable or if I did not care about speed not have any problems? Or is it possible to switch to "normal" wheels/tires if I wanted to?

No. You won't hate it on asphalt. It is a bike. How can you hate a bike. [emoji4] I LOVE riding my fatty. I am just a tad slower on uphill. Get out of my way when I have it pointed downhill. Stable as hell and I can haul ass on that fatty. Skinny wheels terrify me. I tend to scare the poops out of those I am riding with when on pavement and heading downhill. I sound just like a car ready to run them over. But I am not. Usually I am off to the side passing them with a smile on my face.

You can get slicks for most bikes. Less tread more speed on road. But I don't bother. I am a slow roll and I like it that way.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
 
By the way I have bikepacked Yellowstone twice on my fatbike. Definitely go when the roads are closed to cars in the spring. It is an amazing experience.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
 
By the way I have bikepacked Yellowstone twice on my fatbike. Definitely go when the roads are closed to cars in the spring. It is an amazing experience.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

I saw your 2017 trip report while eating lunch at my desk, looks awesome, so many animals
 
Oh one more thing on wheels. I love my 27.5 full suspension on mtb trails. Really not a fan if 29 on mtb. However after trying the Cutthroat I would go 29+ for gravel riding. Loved the bigger wheels for the gravel ride.

I think Clay and Laurel rode the Cannondale Cujo. Those are good bikes for the price.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
 
I will throw another option out there. My wife picked up a Giant Stance with the 27.5+. She really loves those slightly higher and wider tires. She says it makes her feel a lot more confident riding around. It also stays well within your price range.
 
The best advice I ever got about buying a bike was to go into a shop or two and just ride all different kinds of bikes. Sooner or later you'll begin to get a sense of what works best for you, In the end, the bike chooses you as much as you choose the bike...

Now that I have over 65000 miles on the road bike I bought that way, I think it was good advice.
 
Thanks for everyone's help.

I ended up with a Surly Bridge Club, it came with 27.5 2.4 tires. I'm going to ride on these tires and then thinking about tube-less 2.8 tires in the future.

First real ride in the Red River Gorge, Indian Creek Road is a forest road that dead ends, so there is not a lot of traffic. I ended up riding about 14 miles which was plenty for a first ride. I was surprised how my legs felt since I could easily hike this distance. Same muscles, but used differently.
2019-11-15%2B10.30.36.jpg


Indian Creek
2019-11-15%2B10.43.16.jpg


2019-11-15%2B10.42.23.jpg
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
U Help with a Winds itinerary Trip Planning 19
wsp_scott Redwoods planning help Trip Planning 6
Stephanie Help! Looking for a 1-2 day trip Backpacking 9
balzaccom The Beatles were right: Help! Trip Planning 0
balzaccom A little help, please? Backpacking 0
B 1-2 Night Sierra Trip Help Trip Planning 3
regehr Help identifying stone tool? General Discussion 6
balzaccom Help on the trail--literally General Discussion 7
Miya Down Gear Odor Help Gear 31
Duketogo13 Questions about packrafting the Escalante/Lake Powell in September. Need help! Trip Planning 5
The Trout Whisperer HELP w/ lightweight chair recommendations!!!!! Gear 3
J Yikes, I need help deciding.... Trip Planning 5
Titans Paw prints, help pls! General Discussion 32
J Need Park City area Hiking help Trip Planning 2
Matt Van Natta HELP: Wind River Range, Baker Lake to Green River Lakes Trip Planning 7
pstm13 HELP NEEDED- Idaho in Early June for 2-3 Days Trip Planning 6
JBPHXAZ Dark Canyon Backpacking Help Trip Planning 9
DrNed Need Help With Mosquitoes? General Discussion 2
N Avenza IOS app help with Caltopo Resource Discussions 4
o2bav8 10/12/18 - help? General Discussion 12
Jimmy Glacier Route Help Trip Planning 0
TrektheWorld Need help with Uintas trip - camping Trip Planning 8
marquiri Help with Bridger-Teton National Forest Trip Planning 2
MurrMan81 Help Planning Utah Backpacking Trip Trip Planning 9
Cburton Teton Crest Trail Permit Issues - Help! Trip Planning 15
B Trip Selection Help: Tumble Creek or Sanford-Dadina Plateau (WStE AK) Trip Planning 12
LoneWolfOutdoors Help choosing between two tents Gear 8
Devin Ashby Southern Utah Backpacking Loop Help Trip Planning 9
N Help choosing trekking footwear General Discussion 3
uintahiker App building help General Discussion 10
AKay09 Teton Shuttle Help 8/18 or 8/19 Trip Planning 0
CCoC Yellowstone Itineraries Help Trip Planning 3
DrNed Help With Float Trip Planning Trip Planning 3
genez Teton shuttle help 7/10 ? Trip Planning 23
Artemus Help Requested - Conserving the San Rafael Swell Wilderness - Interested? General Discussion 16
DrNed Help With Water On White Rim Trip Planning 11
AKay09 Yellowstone/Tetons Help Trip Planning 40
WasatchWill Seeking a little help for Fall Break with family in GSENM Trip Planning 4
Outdoors24 Tent help Gear 10
Noun Sequitur Sunglasses Help Gear 15
stu heilsberg Help planning Uintas trip Trip Planning 1
Ross Water Canyon to White Wave (help & invite) Trip Planning 8
Ross Help/Invite:Cape Solitude at rim of Colorado & Little Colorado confluence Trip Planning 0
Nick Waterproof Camera: Help me decide! Gear 16
Ross Help choosing which GPS to hike in USA if buying in UK Gear 2
Blake Merrell Help! First Trip to the Winds. Trip Planning 90
Nick Help me win a float trip down Cataract Canyon General Discussion 19
rich67 Need help gearing up for multi-day paddle..1st time out. Gear 12
bscuderi capitol reef help Trip Planning 7
MVS Can you help me? General Discussion 2

Similar threads

Back
Top