Quick question about bike choice.....

[texasjake]

Hey y'all! Hope everyone is doing well!

      So, Im not sure how many of ya are familiar with Texas but down yonder we have much mas mileage between destinations... I love my Hardrock 29er but my question is this

Could I/ Should I hit the road (Continental Divide style) to my destination or... sell it and invest in a more touring/hybrid style bike?

I am open to advice/wisdom on tires, gears, saddles, handlebars....get the picture here? I'm open to suggestions 'cause so far y'all have been freakin' awesome!

[EricB]

Really depends on the type of riding you do or want to do. I have a Surly Long Haul Trucker that I use mostly for road touring. I can load up the racks and ride it all day, no problem. It can handle gravel, jeep trails, hard dirt pretty well. Not so great on techy singletracks and sand. For bikepacking I use my HT 29er which is a lot more fun. My wife has a Fargo with two sets of tires, skinny ones for when we road tour and fat ones when we take the trails.

If you're happy with the Hardrock you might first want to try a second set of tires before investing in a new bike.

[ascar_larkinyar]

i ride my bike everywhere.

[texasjake]

Really depends on the type of riding you do or want to do. I have a Surly Long Haul Trucker that I use mostly for road touring. I can load up the racks and ride it all day, no problem. It can handle gravel, jeep trails, hard dirt pretty well. Not so great on techy singletracks and sand. For bikepacking I use my HT 29er which is a lot more fun. My wife has a Fargo with two sets of tires, skinny ones for when we road tour and fat ones when we take the trails.

If you're happy with the Hardrock you might first want to try a second set of tires before investing in a new bike.

- Right on. I do have some Kenda Couriers that i throw on occasionally. The Long Haul Trucker is bad ass man, had the pleasure of riding my buddy's. Next bike is either the pugsley or LHT - down here the touring options are endless. thanks for the reply!

[texasjake]

i ride my bike everywhere.

that kicks ass. i used to as well but hopefully again soon. Dallas has made huge strides in the past 2 years and we actually have proper bike lanes but only in the downtown area - ride on man.

[Eastman]

I'd give the Pugsley serious consideration.  See http://joecruz.wordpress.com/category/touring-on-a-pugsley/ and http://gypsybytrade.wordpress.com/tag/touring-on-a-surly-pugsley/ for examples.

[texasjake]

I'd give the Pugsley serious consideration.  See http://joecruz.wordpress.com/category/touring-on-a-pugsley/ and http://gypsybytrade.wordpress.com/tag/touring-on-a-surly-pugsley/ for examples.

Eastman -
           you just helped me decide. i dig the fat bikes anyway but those blogs were amazing!!!! i had no idea that the pugs could be retro-fitted with so many options. i don't think i'll take as far as all that but i have been reading that the pugs is actually extremely comfortable on the road with a quick tire choice. Again, thanks - time to start saving...
Ride On!!!