VNA

The kind of logging roads that I know up in North Western Oregon, Cannon Beach, will have crushed packed rocks of various sizes. Emphasis on sizes and that is why a full suspension bike is the best to have as much traction as possible--without back suspension the wheel will have a tendency to hop and therefore loose traction particularly on steep grades. Actually one of the road I like going up is called "Rock Crusher" and it is steep (18/20 degrees) with relatively small rocks.

Trees take about 30 years before they are logged/harvested and therefore the logging roads may not be in their best shape in areas where the trees are growing. They quarry rocks and lay and packed them on the roads, for obvious reason mud is not good for logging trucks.

It is great fun and you are away from cars, actually you may get far away from civilization, phone coverage and therefore help--so be well prepared.

The very few truckers that I have encountered have always been very nice and somewhat amazed a guy of my age being so far up, whenever I ear one I always stop and let him go because they are working. But they are rare and you learn quickly which area they are working. I don't use that bike any more (Klein) because I have a full suspended one (BMC)

rumrunn6

watch out for some big divets - leaves hide stuff that breaks stuff. also, woman running alone in the woods? seriously?

woodway

Great choice on the bike. I was going to recommend a Motobecane Fatbike:

Save up to 60% off new Fat Bikes and Mountain Bikes - MTB - Motobecane 2014 Fantom FB4 Comp

A friend got one and he loves it.

FWIW your thread title confused me...how do you go trail riding on roads?

B. Carfree

I ride on logging roads a lot, both on a tandem and on a single (half-bike in the tandem world). You generally don't need suspension; I have never used it in all the years and tens of thousands of miles on logging roads. On our tandem we use 26" wheels with 1.75" tires, simple treaded road tire. We rarely encounter situations where we need more than that. If you're encountering a lot of mud, particularly the coastal clay variety, you may have to go to an off-road tire. (We ride 23 miles to the first gravel, so we prefer something that also rolls well on asphalt.)

On my half-bike, I generally roll a 700X28 tire, but life is better with something a bit wider. I ride a simple thirty-two-year old touring bike that I've put so many miles on that it seems like part of my body.

Logging roads are really the best place to ride. Generally peaceful, decent scenery, often next to rivers and creeks with lots of interesting climbs. You'll have a great time.

TerraCottaGamer

Hey - I bought the same exact ride just a few days ago and absolutely love it. Congrats

SultanWa

Thanks everyone! I am still waiting for my bike yet it should be in by the weekend! Last night I made it to REI for a helmet and gloves.

So much more to get!

rumrunn6

cool, which helmet?

SultanWa

I got a Bell Indy. It was only $30. I still need to get shoes, lights, fenders and a new seat. Any advice on those would be more than welcomed!

freedomrider1

Why do you need a new seat?

SultanWa

I would like a new seat because the stock is very hard.

freedomrider1

I have been lucky and have been able to use stock seats on all my bikes, but first i would suggest trying your new seat with good riding shorts. It takes awhile to build up mileage on any seat. Then you will know for sure and have a starting point.As for being hard the seat is designed that way for longer rides. Its is hard to believe but in the long haul it is more comfortable.Also you can slide on the saddle for different "mountain terrain" positions.Also i would talk to the shop you bought the bike from and see if they can make a exchange if you think you need a different one.

VNA

If you encounter mud you are not on logging roads anymore--mud and trucks don't mix particularly loaded. That is why logging roads are tightly packed with crushed rocks and it is not gravel, those rocks are substantial in size and that is why a suspended bike is definitely a plus. I have seen rangers or surveyors doing their rounds on motocross bikes (lots of suspension) apparently better then using a pickup. All I am trying to convey is those roads are meant for big tires and a lots of weight--not for speed or comfort like a freeway!

SultanWa

So I got to do my first ride today. AWESOMENESS! It is a rare sunny day in the PNW and the ride was great......except for the seat. Ouch!

I will get a picture up very soon!

freedomrider1

https://www.biketiresdirect.com/prod...classic-saddle I do not have this saddle,but my wife has the womens version and likes it. The reviews are very good for the mens saddle. The price is also good.

VNA

Good for you and the weather, you may have to get your rear end use to a bicycle seat, (softer is not better) I can see you are having nice weather from here: Cannon Beach Webcam - Cannon Beach Conference Center
If you ever go there the hills/mountains (Onion Peaks) have plenty of those logging roads with gorgeous vistas, and actually you can see where they harvest the trees from the beach.

Enjoy!

SultanWa

So I got my wife a bike today! It will be her Christmas gift, Talon 27.5 3 (2015) | Giant Bicycles | United States

And yes she did go with me to pick it out:-)

qcpmsame 

Very nice bicycle, a good choice for what you say your riding is like. My wife has a similar set up on her bicycle, a 2008 Trek 7300. No disk brakes but she likes the set up, just kind of heavy for what she was used to from her road bicycle days. A seat swap is the only change she did. Post some pics of her and the new wheels when you get the chance.

Bill

GFish

Coastal forest roads come in a variety of conditions, as I'm sure your well aware of. The primary roads are maintained for heavy hauling, and packed with gravel both large and small. But there are also older logging roads abandoned and left for ruin that can still be ridden. You can expect to find dirt and mud on these older roads. I'll bet your full squish bike works great on all these surfaces.

GFish

A friend from work is a serious MTB'r, he said he and his ridding buddies still prefer the 26" and 27.5" MTB bike over the 29". Said the 29" felt awkward and cumbersome on the hills and trails they ride every week.

Disc brakes are a must around here with all the down hill descents, wet weather and mud.

freedomrider1

That is what i have heard also Gfish.But on gravel and logging roads the 29er would be better. But on tight single track, serious mt.bikers use 26.From what i can tell.

BluesDawg

Plenty of serious MTBers are riding 29ers on tight singletrack. 650B (or the misnomer 27.5) has all but replaced 26" on all but very low end bikes or full on downhill racing bikes. Of course, there will be many good 26" bikes still in service for years to come.

Gerryattrick

I hope so as I have two current, and one being built, 26" mtbs. If I ever buy a new mtb it will have to be a 650b, because I'm a 5'8'' short-ass, and when I've ridden a 29er I've felt like a kid borrowing his big brother's bike.

Why this should be so on a 29er but not a 700c road bike I don't know, perhaps it's the big tyres.

freedomrider1

I guess thats what i was thinking high end racing bikes go for the 26. I don't know to much about biking in the mountains, flat as a pancake around here.My 29er will roll over alot of things however.

BluesDawg

Only the downhill racers with their very long travel suspension are still predominantly on 26" bikes. 29ers dominate XC racing and 650B is the top choice for Enduro. Horses for courses.

freedomrider1

thanks Bluesdawg