BY DAVID NORTH
Former Chair of the Transportation Board
Okay, you’ve decided you want to get in on all the health and environmental benefits of biking around town, but what’s the best bicycle for a normal person? (Spandex flyers and Tour wannabes can stop reading now, except to scorn my silly opinions…)
Our first problem: we have no bicycle shop in county. Maybe some day, but we’ve never had a full-service big selection bike shop and probably never will. So it’s a good idea to think in terms of durability rather than super fancy. Also consider: Our roads aren’t in great shape and our trails even less so.
If you’re thinking of getting something, I suggest a modest but competent mountain bike. When I compared an unsuspended bike to a front-suspension mtb I was surprised how much less painful the cracks and bumps were with the shocks in the front forks … and that was with a 1997 urethane suspension. Newer front shocks are nicer, but not necessary when you’re mostly riding the road. The fatter tires help a lot too. As a bonus, if you decide to venture off the pavement a bit, you’re in good shape. Most mountain bikes are fine on the road with just a change of tires. They also usually have the tallest “granny gear” to make it easier going uphill.
Do you need the most expensive bike or components? Definitely not. Competition stuff is usually less durable; designed to perform wonderfully for the length of a race. Mid-range will be best for most people.
Do you need a rear suspension? No. Those bikes are mostly for serious mountain bombers. You won’t really notice any advantage around town, but you will notice how much more they cost. There will be more maintenance, too.
Do you need disk brakes? No. For a casual rider they offer little advantage. However, if they’re part of the deal, they’re good to have.
How about tubeless tires? Also kind of nice, but a lot more maintenance. Most people will probably find them to be too much hassle. Regardless, in our thorny environs you will need to use some kind of sealant on your tires or tubes, but a lightweight tube with Slime will only be a tad heavier than a typical tubeless setup.
Some folks just feel the need for drop bars and don’t like the extra weight of a front suspension. That’s what the current crop of “Gravel Bikes” are all about, and are also a good choice for those who don’t mind getting their back, buns and wrists hammered by our riding surfaces. They usually have fatter tires than road bikes and a more casual geometry.
There are also some stylin’ Cruiser bikes for anyone certain they’re not going to ride too much on rough surfaces. They generally look cool and have an upright posture, but won’t be as smooth as a suspended bike.
What about a “serious” road bike? Remember, this is for normal people. I was abnormal for decades with a dedicated road racer, but even then if I was going to the store or whatever I used my old Trek mountain bike. Much better for hopping curbs. My current “road” bike is actually a 1999 mountain bike retasked with 1.9″ road tires and more casual handlebars.
What if you already have a bike, but just aren’t enthused about riding? It’s possible your bike is part of what’s holding you back. Maybe it just needs a little work to make it a joy to ride. (Another future topic). Then again, some of them just are beyond hope. If you have any doubts on that front, visit a bike store or two. There are some choices in Santa Fe, and even more in Albuquerque. Make a day of it. Or ask a friend. There are plenty of folks around who can check out your bike and help you get it going again.
Be wary of size recommendations. Almost since I started riding, the gospel has been to get a bike that’s actually too big. There are reasons for that bias having to do with top performance, but that’s not what you’re aiming for. Make sure it feels good to you, not to somebody who’s telling you what should be right for you.
I have recently built up a couple of bikes that are theoretically far too small for me. One of them is now my favorite trail bike. I’m not saying you should do the same, but what works for you might not be “average.”
On that subject, the mean height of an American is 5’7″. It might be a challenge for anyone average or under to find a suitable bike these days. But that, like our next topic, is for another installment.
Does this all sound a little too much like exercise? Would you rather just have some fun getting around town without working up a sweat? Or haul a bunch of stuff home from the market? If you’ve got a little extra cash, there’s a perfect choice for you.
An electric bike. Everybody should get one.
We’ll talk about that next time.
Dave North spent four years dealing with bicycling issues during his tenure on the Transportation Board and rides bikes almost daily — yes, even this time of year. He has repaired and built more bikes than he could possibly remember, and in addition to the pictured ride owns two mountain bikes and three electric bikes.