MTB or Road bike?

[fandacious]

Ok, so i've entered my better half in for the Argus next year. She's stoked, I'm stoked. Now... what bike do I get her. Most ladies prefer riding a mtb - especially when they're new to the sport. On the other hand though, She'll be much faster (and expend less energy) finishing the Argus on a road bike. So I hereby demand every single hubber post something meaningul and insightful here so that I dont get the wrong bike.

[Dibles]

No contest - ROAD BIKE.

I've done the Argus twice on my mtb (once with knobblies ) and also the 94.7 twice on a dual suspension mtb (once without lockout ). There is a huge difference in speed on a mtb and it is frustrating riding in a bunch when most people are on their road bikes.

 

Let her rather enjoy it and finish having had a pleasant ride.

 

PS: Long-term though mtb wins hands down for the enjoyment factor and for weekends away etc...nothing better than enjoying nature up close on a mtb.

[misspiggy]

what will she be doing on a bike before the argus?

[dirtrider]

After the Argus !!!

[Mauritzvw]

If you ask Rabubi nicely he can show you how to use the road bike on the dirt as well

 

Road bike I would say, but eventually you're gonna have to buy her a mtb too

Mauritzvw2007-09-12 13:15:53

[Dibles]

Forget before and after the Argus. If she doesn't enjoy the Argus she will lose all interest in cycling. You can always trade in the road bike for a mtb after the Argus.

[mountain_lion]

No need to choose.

Get a hybrid!!! Comfortable riding position without the cons of a MTB on the road.

 

Eventually you will need to buy her a proper MTB as well, but for now the hybrid will do fine.

 

I don't own a "road bike". My hybrid is the bike I use on road and for commute. Will also be used for my 11th Argus in 2008.

 

 

[ewep]

You can look at a road bike with flat bars as well.  Know of a few people that love these!

[mountain_lion]

 

 

You can look at a road bike with flat bars as well.  Know of a few people that love these!

 

That is also a good option - mrs mountain_lion is riding a road bike with flat bars. She went the other way: already had a MTB and wanted a bike more suited to road riding, but with a comfortable riding position.

LBS changed the bars and shifters etc. for her at no extra cost.

 

Some manufacturers are now starting to offer what they call "performance hybrids", which are road frames with flat bars. Don't know if any are available in SA. (I think Raleigh had some a few years ago).

 

If your intention is not to have a dual purpose bike that can be used for on and light off road duty, this is the way to go.

 

mountain_lion2007-09-13 06:28:36

[Ox_Wagon]

I would also vote for a hybrid, Flat bared road bike or rigid MTB with road crankset and skinny slick tires.  I have ridden the 94.7 with a MTB, Hybrid and Road bike and prefer the Hybrid.  The flat bars, with easy access to the brakes, just feels more secure.  The ride of a MTB slick is also less harsh than that of a road tire.<?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 

Irrespective of what you get I would recommend that the bike should have a triple or compact crank set with a generous rear cassette (25-26 big sprocket).  You don?t what her to grind away in a too big a gear going up the first hill.

 

I realy like the following Wheeler.

[AndreZA]

LBS changed the bars and shifters etc. for her at no extra cost.

 

What? You should have gotten a refund. STI are way more expensive then flat bar changers. Even flat bars are cheaper then racing bars.

 

 

[Troi Sport]

MTB with Schwalbe Hurricane tyres

I used them on a JHB to Durbs trip, an AmaShova and a Karkloof

 

very versatile

Hurricane

http://schwalbetires.com/files/f_img_hurricane.gif Take a ride on the wild side! The Hurricane runs fast and quietly on asphalt. It has enough traction for occasional off-road use. In its folding version it comes in at just 560 g. RaceGuard protection provides optimal protection against punctures. Also available with Kevlar-MB-Belt and reflective lines as an everyday tire.

http://schwalbetires.com/files/x_img_hurricane.gif

[HomerSimpson]

So I hereby demand every single hubber post something meaningul and insightful here so that I dont get the wrong bike.

 

Meaningful?  Insightful?  Think who you are talking to man!  We don't do those.

 

I think the bottom line is that if she does not enjoy the cycling experience, whichever bike you get will be the wrong one

 

I hate to bring up this point, but the age of your better half is also important here.  Riding a road bike is physically much more demanding over a long distance than a MTB with a fairly relaxed (NOT RACING) geometry.  Both me and my wife got into cycling at a relatively late stage, and if I had to do it all over again, I'd go the MTB first route.  I'm sure you don't want her to do just the Argus?

If you do go the roadbike/hybrid route, make sure you look at women specific setups...PARTCULARLY women specific saddles!!  Little discomforts become huge after about 80 k's

[Canaris]

MTB with slicks. Beginers don't like the ride position of the road bikes, and often need the gears of mountain bike.

 

Confirm that the purpose is fun?

 

Mtb will also be used more, because most beginners hate riding on the road with cars and other things in the way.

[fandacious]

what will she be doing on a bike before the argus?

 

Training

[fandacious]

Hmm.. I've never considered a Hybrid. In fact, they're not that common. Can you helpful lot name some decent makes?