Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

Deciding on options

Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Deciding on options

Old 05-27-20, 05:45 AM
  #1  
Aircraftblues
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 11

Bikes: Mongoose Hotshot

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
Deciding on options

I am getting close to my target budget of $800 for a beginners road bike and trying to decide if I should go with disk brakes or rim?? Also where I live there are very few smooth roads, mostly pot holes and rough pavement so was also looking at gravel bikes. Just trying to get some opinions from others who know more than I do. Thanks in advance.
Aircraftblues is offline  
Old 05-27-20, 06:13 AM
  #2  
blakcloud
Senior Member
 
blakcloud's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,595
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 608 Post(s)
Liked 352 Times in 225 Posts
Don't pick a braking system, chose a bike as a whole. Look at the whole package and ask yourself does this bike have what I want it to have? Sometimes this bike will have disks and other times it won't.

If you are choosing a gravel bike, most times it will have disk brakes. This is because you are limited by tire size when using calipers. Gravel bikes accommodate large volume tires which necessitates disk brakes.

From the little you gave described, I would chose a bike takes at least a 32 mm tire and go from there. All bikes in your price range are good. Some will be better than others to meet your specific needs.
blakcloud is offline  
Old 05-27-20, 06:55 AM
  #3  
GlennR
On Your Left
 
GlennR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373

Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303

Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,433 Times in 1,187 Posts
Originally Posted by Aircraftblues
Also where I live there are very few smooth roads, mostly pot holes and rough pavement so was also looking at gravel bikes
Larger tubeless tire will help. It doesn't need to be a "gravel" bike. Something with 32mm or wider tubeless will help.

Unless you ride long descents or int he rain, disc brakes are not going to stop better than rim. And for disc, hydro are better than cable actuated.
GlennR is offline  
Old 05-27-20, 07:40 AM
  #4  
topflightpro
Senior Member
 
topflightpro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,567
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1851 Post(s)
Liked 675 Times in 427 Posts
Get the gravel bike and disc brakes.

If you find you spend more time on the road, put slick/road tires on there. A gravel bike will work great as a road bike. A road bike can work as gravel bike, but not as well. So, if you only have one bike, a gravel bike is a more versatile option. And given gravel's popularity, you may find you like it better than road riding.

And I say go disc because it will help future proof you. The industry has fully adopted discs. If you like it, you will soon want a nicer bike. At least this way you'll be better able to swap parts between the bikes.
topflightpro is offline  
Old 05-27-20, 08:56 AM
  #5  
noodle soup
Senior Member
 
noodle soup's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 8,922
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4717 Post(s)
Liked 1,882 Times in 998 Posts
Originally Posted by GlennR
Unless you ride long descents or int he rain, disc brakes are not going to stop better than rim.
Discs will require less effort, for the same braking.in all conditions.
noodle soup is offline  
Likes For noodle soup:
Old 05-27-20, 09:00 AM
  #6  
GlennR
On Your Left
 
GlennR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373

Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303

Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,433 Times in 1,187 Posts
Originally Posted by noodle soup
Discs will require less effort, for the same braking.in all conditions.
True, not they don't need to be a deciding factor.

If have 2 bikes with each and ride the same roads and don't miss disc brakes when on my road bike with rim brakes. The reason i have disc is that's the bike I ride in the winter and rain which is when disc are superior.
GlennR is offline  
Likes For GlennR:
Old 05-27-20, 10:47 AM
  #7  
Aircraftblues
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 11

Bikes: Mongoose Hotshot

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
Thanks great info. Was originally looking to get Marin Nicasio but now might consider an actual road bike with the wider tires. Won't let the brakes be the deciding factor, just need to get my butt off this Mongoose Hotshot 😆
Aircraftblues is offline  
Old 05-27-20, 11:43 AM
  #8  
xroadcharlie
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Windsor Ontario, Canada
Posts: 531

Bikes: 2018 Giant Sedona

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 179 Post(s)
Liked 116 Times in 95 Posts
Another vote for a gravel bike. I'm familier with the Giant line up of bikes since I recently bought their 2018 Sedona comfort bike. And I must say, Despite the entry level price of this bike, The design and quality are 2'nd to none. Which is why I'd recomend this Giant Revolt 2. It would be stretching your budget a bit though, But IMO is worth every cent. You get a lot of value with Giant bikes whether you spend $500 or $5,000.

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/revolt-2

With a shock absorbing handlebar and seat post, and 38 mm tires it should be much better for rough roads then road bikes. You could change out the 38mm gravel tires with 35 semi-slicks, Retain most of the ride qualities and get very close to the speed and stability of a road bike.
xroadcharlie is offline  
Old 05-27-20, 01:38 PM
  #9  
blakcloud
Senior Member
 
blakcloud's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,595
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 608 Post(s)
Liked 352 Times in 225 Posts
Originally Posted by Aircraftblues
Thanks great info. Was originally looking to get Marin Nicasio but now might consider an actual road bike with the wider tires. Won't let the brakes be the deciding factor, just need to get my butt off this Mongoose Hotshot 😆
As nice as that bike is, have a look at the photos on the website to give you an idea of what they built that bike to do. Plus, having 47mm tires also points in that direction. That bike is more like a monster cross and if that is the riding you will be doing, then great choice. If it is more road riding, you could be looking for something different. I would steer away from a 1x by drivetrain and get a double up front. So I think that as you said, going for a more road bike is the smart choice.

Have a look at the Kona Rove and other similiar bikes. This one is in the same price range as the Marin.

Good luck with your search.
blakcloud is offline  
Old 05-27-20, 03:44 PM
  #10  
Iride01 
I'm good to go!
 
Iride01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,800

Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020

Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6099 Post(s)
Liked 4,730 Times in 3,260 Posts
Well don't forget the cyclocross bikes. Many can handle a tire width that is more than adequate for rough roads and some gravel. Then if you are on a decent road, it won't be too far off from what you want in a road bike.

Cyclocross and gravel bikes are a blurry line though as to what is and isn't.
Iride01 is offline  
Old 05-27-20, 04:31 PM
  #11  
GlennR
On Your Left
 
GlennR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373

Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303

Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,433 Times in 1,187 Posts
Originally Posted by Iride01
Well don't forget the cyclocross bikes. Many can handle a tire width that is more than adequate for rough roads and some gravel. Then if you are on a decent road, it won't be too far off from what you want in a road bike.

Cyclocross and gravel bikes are a blurry line though as to what is and isn't.
The difference is in the height of the bottom bracket.

I have a Cannondale SuperX which came with 35mm off pavement tires. I bought a second set of wheels and mounted 32mm tubeless all weather tires. The bike can handle 42mm in a pinch.


Last edited by GlennR; 05-27-20 at 04:53 PM.
GlennR is offline  
Old 05-27-20, 04:50 PM
  #12  
taco2ewsday
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Memphis 10
Posts: 193

Bikes: 2021 Canyon Endurace SL8, 2019 Cannondale Topstone Sora, 2002 Giant Yukon

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 34 Post(s)
Liked 148 Times in 57 Posts
It sounds cliche but buy the bike that fits you best, brakes wont matter if you hurt so much you don't go ride.

I was in a similar place about a 8 months ago roads are good enough but limited budget, trying to get it all done for $1000. I wound up with an end of year Cannondale Topstone Sora for around 850, immediately put some road tires on it (Continental GP 4 Seasons) and rode away happy.

Before landing on that I looked at the Trek Checkpoint, & Domane, Specialized Diverge and Allez and the Giant Contend.
taco2ewsday is offline  
Old 05-28-20, 03:35 AM
  #13  
canklecat
Me duelen las nalgas
 
canklecat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,522

Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel

Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4558 Post(s)
Liked 2,798 Times in 1,798 Posts
Yeah, I know the roads in the Metroplex are pretty bad in some places, from west of Fort Worth to Dallas and everywhere between. Most road resurfacing has switched to chipseal, even in cities. It's durable but mostly cheaper and quicker. Sometimes they claim they'll eventually come back and "fog seal" or whatever they call smooth asphalt topping. But most roads out my way in Fort Worth that have been repaved with chipseal or striated concrete still haven't been topped up and smoothed out in years. And with the current economic downturn I don't expect anything fancy in road maintenance for years.

My bikes are all older, rim brakes and quick releases. But my next bike will have disc brakes and thru-axles, and take 700x32 tires. I was leery of that stuff until I watched a friend do a couple of flat repairs and realized it's quick and easy. And the thru axles are beefy, stronger and stiffer everywhere. That's a plus for rough pavement. Although, to be honest, I've bent a QR only once and that was on the indoor trainer. No idea how I managed that. Probably didn't adjust the wheel holder properly.

There have been a few rides on damp days when my rim brakes slipped quite a bit at first. Usually it clears up after braking several times to wipe the rims and scrub off the road oil that splashes up. We don't get as much rain here as some places but discs would be better. And, apparently, a bit finicky for some folks to adjust, judging by the squealing I hear on damp rides. But no worse than some cantilever brakes.
canklecat is offline  
Old 05-28-20, 07:41 AM
  #14  
Aircraftblues
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 11

Bikes: Mongoose Hotshot

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
Originally Posted by canklecat
Yeah, I know the roads in the Metroplex are pretty bad in some places, from west of Fort Worth to Dallas and everywhere between. Most road resurfacing has switched to chipseal, even in cities. It's durable but mostly cheaper and quicker. Sometimes they claim they'll eventually come back and "fog seal" or whatever they call smooth asphalt topping. But most roads out my way in Fort Worth that have been repaved with chipseal or striated concrete still haven't been topped up and smoothed out in years. And with the current economic downturn I don't expect anything fancy in road maintenance for years.

My bikes are all older, rim brakes and quick releases. But my next bike will have disc brakes and thru-axles, and take 700x32 tires. I was leery of that stuff until I watched a friend do a couple of flat repairs and realized it's quick and easy. And the thru axles are beefy, stronger and stiffer everywhere. That's a plus for rough pavement. Although, to be honest, I've bent a QR only once and that was on the indoor trainer. No idea how I managed that. Probably didn't adjust the wheel holder properly.

There have been a few rides on damp days when my rim brakes slipped quite a bit at first. Usually it clears up after braking several times to wipe the rims and scrub off the road oil that splashes up. We don't get as much rain here as some places but discs would be better. And, apparently, a bit finicky for some folks to adjust, judging by the squealing I hear on damp rides. But no worse than some cantilever brakes.
What bikes have you been looking at getting. Glad to find a response from someone in the area who knows the road conditions.
Aircraftblues is offline  
Old 05-28-20, 12:48 PM
  #15  
canklecat
Me duelen las nalgas
 
canklecat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,522

Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel

Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4558 Post(s)
Liked 2,798 Times in 1,798 Posts
Originally Posted by Aircraftblues
What bikes have you been looking at getting. Glad to find a response from someone in the area who knows the road conditions.
I haven't decided on a particular bike yet. I'm leaning toward an endurance type bike. Too many models. And I'm busy rebuilding a couple of older frames.

But 700x23 or narrower tires are uncomfortable on some roads. Switching to 700x25 helped. That's the widest two of my road bikes will handle.
canklecat is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.