Back in the saddle

[Uberod]

I'm trying to get back into biking and have been using my MB on the road recently to see how well I'd do. I've been able to do 10-15 miles rides w/ varying degrees of elevation changes 2-3 times a week and topping out on my 21spd gear-wise--where I wish I could upshift to some additional gears. So far 32mph top speed.

I was looking at getting a Hybrid Trek 8.3 or 8.5 DS due to their road focused nature but ability to run on fire trails, dirt, etc. Currently have a Fuji Odessa now that is too small for me so a new bike is definitely in my future. Prefer the flat handlebar riding position over a roadbike.

Not too many friends ride around here so I'm looking at joining a bike group in the area as well.

Wondering how much stamina, distance I should attain before I try and join a group since I definitely don't want to be the weakest link in the ride or have people wait up for me. Any thoughts?

[svtguy182]

Once you find a good group, or maybe talk to your local bike shop, beginner rides and no leave behind rides should pop up from time to time. We have them here and when I got back into mountain biking they were a big help. The people leading the rides were always really helpful and never made me feel like inexperienced riders were slowing anyone else up. I'd keep a look out for something like that and build on it.

[dts]

Not only might your LBS lead rides that are newbie friendly, they likely would know about local bike clubs that run newbie-friendly rides.

Here's a local bike club to you: http://www.wabonline.org/

Couldn't tell you if they run entry-level rides -- my computer didn't like the downloads for some reason and wouldn't do it. But you could check them out.

[BsickPassat]

I'm trying to get back into biking and have been using my MB on the road recently to see how well I'd do. I've been able to do 10-15 miles rides w/ varying degrees of elevation changes 2-3 times a week and topping out on my 21spd gear-wise--where I wish I could upshift to some additional gears. So far 32mph top speed.

I was looking at getting a Hybrid Trek 8.3 or 8.5 DS due to their road focused nature but ability to run on fire trails, dirt, etc. Currently have a Fuji Odessa now that is too small for me so a new bike is definitely in my future. Prefer the flat handlebar riding position over a roadbike.

Not too many friends ride around here so I'm looking at joining a bike group in the area as well.

Wondering how much stamina, distance I should attain before I try and join a group since I definitely don't want to be the weakest link in the ride or have people wait up for me. Any thoughts?

The Trek 8.x series isn't as road focused as the 7.x series, since it has a front suspension,meatier tires, and more MTB like gearing. The 7.x will be a faster bike on the road.


So, I would compare those 2 series to decide what bike you want to go with.

[Uberod]

Well after much debating and questioning my local bike shop--I've decided to go w/ a Trek Marlin 29'er and I'll switch out the tires when I want to ride trails--i'll prob use it 60-70% pavement. This was at the advice of the bike rep. Seems like a good idea and the bike will be probably more than what I need--but I think thats good in a way. I'd rather have it overbuilt than not.

Considered the 8.3DS Hybrid--and it did not like it once it came in. It was too much of a road bike and the rep said it could handle hard-packed dirt rails and thats about it--i needed more than that.

Marlin it is.

Have to work on getting clip-on pedals/shoes and urban tires for the bike. More research begins.

[BsickPassat]

with 29er... you can put 700x35c or larger tires on them (with corresponding tubes) for the road

[Uberod]

with 29er... you can put 700x35c or larger tires on them (with corresponding tubes) for the road

Thats good 2 know. So I can't use the tubes that the bike comes with on the road/city tires?

[DJKhakiPants]

So I can't use the tubes that the bike comes with on the road/city tires?

Probably not - you will need a smaller tube for the smaller tires so the tube doesn't fold over during installation. Sometimes you can fudge a little and run a smaller tube in a bigger tire, but it is hard to run a bigger tube in a smaller tire.