The Proper New England 3 Bike Wardrobe - According to Angry

AngryScientist · #1 10-13-2023, 01:11 PM

Friday musings...

Even though I own far too many bikes, it occurs to me that in New England, it is essential to own three bikes to be properly outfitted.

[i dont mtb, but if you do that, i suppose you need a mtb or two to round out your rotation]

(1) A proper road bike.

There is no substitute for a proper road bike on 25mm tires for pavement and very well groomed dirt roads. Period. End of story.

(2) Gravel Bike

A gravel bike to explore roads unknown, from pavement to bad pavement, to gravel and beyond. The gravel bike goes anywhere and is up for a ramble anytime.

(3) The Mid-Gravel Bike

We are fortunate in New England to have miles and miles of maintained dirt roads. Roads suitable for regular cars to pass, but not blacktop. Ridable on a road bike, but a little more cush is appreciated. I took off for a fall ramble in NH yesterday and was happy to be aboard my mid-gravel bike. 32mm tubeless tires on dirt roads is pure all day bliss.

Some people try and do this all with one bike.

Fools.

XXtwindad · #2 10-13-2023, 01:15 PM

That Breadwinner looks fantastic.

A “proper” road bike isn’t deserving of that moniker unless it fits 28mm tires. At least.

OtayBW · #3 10-13-2023, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XXtwindad

That Breadwinner looks fantastic.

A “proper” road bike isn’t deserving of that moniker unless it fits 28mm tires. At least.

Kids these days!....

thegunner · #4 10-13-2023, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XXtwindad

That Breadwinner looks fantastic.

A “proper” road bike isn’t deserving of that moniker unless it fits 28mm tires. At least.

doesn't a road bike that fits 30's kind of fulfill the mid-gravel requirement?

prototoast · #5 10-13-2023, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegunner

doesn't a road bike that fits 30's kind of fulfill the mid-gravel requirement?

One of the issues with this discussion is that XXTwindad weighs about 50% more than Angryscientist, and so they would naturally use different width tires for the same purpose.

XXtwindad · #6 10-13-2023, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegunner

doesn't a road bike that fits 30's kind of fulfill the mid-gravel requirement?

“Mid-gravel” must be a New England thing. Or maybe it’s the name of a new Moots line. Here in the East part of the Bay Area we have really really crappy pavement and dirt. 25mm tires are out of the question for me, particularly at 195 lbs. 28 is the minimum. 30-32c preferred.

NHAero · #7 10-13-2023, 02:01 PM

Your three bikes is my Bingham and multiple wheelsets. With cassettes and rotors properly spaced the same, the swap is less than five minutes.

Now, I have a MTB, a cargo bike, a folder…

Pegoready · #8 10-13-2023, 02:08 PM

Seems like the Breadwinner can handle the Sequoia tires and eliminate one bike? Maybe that's not the point you're trying to make.

robt57 · #9 10-13-2023, 02:11 PM

So you are selling off all but the three?

If so, please learn me how to do this...

Watch out, you gotta stick in yer spokes there.

Likes2ridefar · #10 10-13-2023, 02:10 PM

100% support the 3 bike plan for a proper rotation to meet all needs.

I have been having a lot of fun on my proper road bike this week, proper being it takes 30mm tires

ridethecliche · #11 10-13-2023, 02:12 PM

Err angry don't you love in NJ?

robt57 · #12 10-13-2023, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ridethecliche

Err angry don't you love in NJ?

He be riding in NH White mountains there... Better foliage riding than Joisey...

benb · #13 10-13-2023, 02:44 PM

I'm with you on the first 2 bikes but the 3rd should definitely be a mountain bike IMO.

Don't be giving the bike companies any ideas with this "mid gravel" thing, the next thing you know they will be trying to sell you the idea of needing a separate frame to run 32c and 38c tires. Pointless IMO.

I think your idea might be fine in some areas, but not New England, we have too much terrain that might start OK for a gravel bike and rapidly turn into conditions where a mountain bike is a far safer/performant/fun option.

prototoast · #14 10-13-2023, 02:55 PM

ridethecliche · #15 10-13-2023, 06:23 PM

In any event...

I think 25mm tires are overrated. 28 are often faster and more comfortable. This is a weird hill to die on.

I also think that, in order of capability, the list goes: road, allroad, gravel, and adventure.

But yeah, I can see there being a subcategory like adventure/gravel race for the faster bikes ie aero and whatnot!