thenomad

I've got a dilemma. The logical answer lies in "what works for you" and "use both and see what works the best"
But, since this is the interweb, why not let everyone weigh in. Might learn something.

I'm used to the road but after a hiatus am back looking to get back riding but will focus on fun/fitness. I'm not the best mtb rider, did mostly road time and some cyclocross. I'll be mainly stringing fire roads and singletrack together on tarmac, and once a week or so commuting. Now I'm thinking "gravel grinder" flavor, so here we go.
I now only have two bikes:
SOMA Double Cross Disc with a mix of 9 speed mountain components run by bar ends and cantilever brakes. 700x32 tires that need replacing on Mavic Open Pros. Front is a triple locked out to 42/34? double and a 12-26 rear cassette (needs more gearing). Stem was flipped lower in this pic (for riding the trainer).


The 29er is an On One Scandal hardtail with dropouts for gear or SS on 3x10 Shimano LX groupset locked out to 2x10 (removed big ring) on tubeless compatible wheels and 2.2 tires. Wide flat bars and a lockable air fork. (didn't final trim the steer tube)


I also hate throwing money at things for no good reason. "Because it's the new stuff" is not convincing.
Other than using them as is, I'm wondering about my options: Upgrade the SOMA to 2x10 with 46/30 and wide range rear? It would need chain, crankset, BB, cassette, RD, FD.
Then even bringing it to disc would mean wheelset, brakes and levers. Probably new barend shifters. Not a very budget solution, but maybe worth it?

Perhaps take parts from the 29er, fit them on the SOMA to build one budget do it all bike? I'd just need new shifters and hydraulic road levers. Then sell the 29er parts

Or is the 29er the better direction? Tour the Divide style. Add dirt drops and road levers, optional narrow tires. Done. Get a rigid carbon fork in the future depending on trails I end up riding a lot.

SOMA feels very roadie, so its familiar, needs a lot more gear for some fire road climbs.
OnOne feels taller and longer, different cornering feel but rolls over everything.

I see some great options like Kona Sutra and Salsa Fargo and Vaya but I just don't see spending new money when I have two options right here.

aggiegrads

Easy, cheap answer: Unlock the triple on the Soma to allow use of the granny ring, change the tire to 38’s or 40s if they will fit and go ride.

Next best: put on a wider range cassette and get a long cage 9 speed RD. That still gives the option to go to 10 speed brifters in the future without changing the rear RD.

wsteve464

Pretty simple solution for me. Ride the Soma on your commute and add the big ring back on the MTB, you will need to pedal down the fire roads the riding on the street part will be a little slower and a little harder than a gravel bike but your not in a race. I ride the foothills of LA and you will want hydro disc brakes for the downhills. I have ridden mechanical disc and hydro disc, The hydro disc stop better with less effort and on long downhills the mech disc take a lot of effort to stop and go out of adjustment quickly. And you will be glad of the front suspension.

GrainBrain

What do you use the bikes for as of now? I considered putting drop bars and a rigid fork on my hard tail 29er but backed away because it was my do-all and I wanted something that was fully capable still on our single track.

I think I would sell the soma if you can't fit at least 38mm tires comfortably. There are a lot of $1000 and under bikes, especially used, that come ready with tubeless wheels, good geometry and wide range gearing.

thenomad

I haven't been riding for about 5 years. I used to ride a lot but then was unable to commute daily or spend 5 hours in the saddle on the weekend. I switched to other fitness endeavors but with recent changes I'm getting back into cycling. Will be focusing on 2 hour rides, or approx 30 milers tops. Will be linking fire roads and single track. get in, get out

GrainBrain

Sounds like the soma gets use on the trainer, so I wouldn't want to disrupt that. I'd start out with the 29er and a set of 40ish tires mounted tubeless. Keep everything else the same but maybe find a cheap flat bar that's a bit narrower or add some bar ends. I'm guessing the 29er top gear is a 32x11? That's good enough for the moment. Get some miles down asap for a better understanding. I've done a ton of gravel miles on my 29er. I ended up going with a dedicated drop bar mainly for the position (tucking out of the wind) and multiple hand positions. Plus in my case my xc mtb is more aggressive then I wanted for longer (30+ mile) rides, because I bought it before I knew how to fit a bike

chas58

If I were you, I would concentrate on getting my bike fitness and skills back, ride the bikes like they are and see which one calls to me. I rather find mountain bikes boring on the road, and I do like to be a bit under biked, but others like having a large margin of safety.

thenomad

Good way to put it. I can technically ride both as is but I do need some different tires. I'm thinking 38 or 40. The old Ritchey Speedmax 32 tires are starting to break down sidewalls from sitting. Was tempted to just
It's definitely different than road riding where you can mindlessly mash. My rides will probably stay shorter and after a few basic rides I'll begin training intervals, cadences and repeats.

I'm pretty sure I feel that the positioning on a road bike is where I'm most comfortable. Thinking these 29er components and wheels could be hung on the Soma with disc calipers.

Rides4Beer

Personally, I like having two bikes, always good to have a backup. I've had several occasions where I wouldn't be able to ride for a period of time if I only had one bike.

I love riding my gravel bike on the road with the 40mm tires, it always feels more fun and relaxed, when I'm on the road bike I think I just feel like I need to hammer it. But the gravel bike has more options, if I feel like mixing it up and getting offroad, I can just take a detour with no worries.

Maybe keep the Soma in road trim for trainer riding and road backup, and make the 29er a lil more road/gravel friendly with 40-45mm tires?

thenomad

Bought Schwalbe G-One AllAround tires in 38 for the Soma, have to wait on those.

I took the 29er out today for 90 minutes mix of road to the trail, did an easy fire road then back on tarmac to 4 miles of easy singletrack.
Things I noticed:
My handling skills are rusty! Road hammering is so simple! I need to build my confidence cornering and body english in dirt.
The bike fits me but I'm just not a fan of mtn flat bars wrist position. Had some numbing, but I didn't wear gloves.
I forgot how dang sandy these fire roads out here can get! hard clay dirt and rock then a pit of fine sand. I kept thinking about the 38c tires I bought and how they'd do on the soma.
I need all the gears till my old spin comes back. My old SS days will take some training.
Tires had too much air but that made the road much better.
I can definitely see the fun in being "under biked" and getting a better workout taking on these trails near me.

I'll keep perusing the drop bar 29er scene and do some testing on the cross bike once my tires come in.

GrainBrain

Don't fall into this falsehood like I do time and time again! The only time I notice that more air is better is on pavement climbs. Otherwise I find I'm slower with higher air pressure. Counter intuitive I know but I'll drop the air 10psi lower then I was riding at (often 40psi on my 2.2") and voila better ride, better handling, same speed.

thenomad

I'll do it! Thanks