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05-11-2017, 12:53 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 17
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Question about Which Bicycle for Camping...
Hey Everyone,
This may seem a little trivial, but, thought I'd run this by all of you RV camping experts before I make a purchase...
My wife and I have been doing some tent camping over the last couple years and are getting ready (hopefully this year) to move up to a TH/TT.
In the meantime, I am looking at purchasing a couple of bicycles that we can use around our hometown and also take on our camping excursions... We are looking at comfort style bicycles with an upright seating position and multiple gears. That being said, I am finding that there are basically two choices in style. One is more of a road style with 700cc wheels and narrower tires and the other is more of a mountain bike style, with 26" wheels and fatter tires.
So, I am leaning towards the 700cc wheel style as I think they will be a little easier to ride around town on the pavement. BUT, as I am looking at taking these camping (95% RV Parks) should I think about the 26" fatter tire option instead on the off chance that we do encounter some dirt/trail type areas that we need to get through?
I am probably over-thinking this but these dang bikes are not cheap! haha
What are your thoughts?
E
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05-11-2017, 01:15 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Iowa
Posts: 266
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You don't have to pick one, you can have both. This is the bike I bought a couple years ago.
https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p...FQkzaQodjA0HoA
Picked it up from Dicks sporting goods. Its a hybrid, kind of a cross between the two. Its got the feel of a mountain bike but it has a very light weight aluminum frame and runs the 700cc tires. Its a nice compromise between the two. I mostly use it on paved, gravel and dirt roads. I cant say to how it would preform on rougher terrain, but Im happy with it.
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021 Ram Rebel 1500
2017 Shamrock 233s
Waterloo, Iowa
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05-11-2017, 01:22 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 387
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We use mountain bikes when camping due to some CGs' rough roads & possible exploration of bike/dirt trails.
The tires are kinda knobby so they're not all that smooth on paved surfaces but we've gotten used to them.
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It ain't easy being me...I've tried.
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05-11-2017, 01:24 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,780
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I would recommend mtn bikes.
They will be a better ride on all varieties of surfaces.
They do make smooth tread road tires for mtn bikes. I converted one of my old hard tail mtn bikes to a commuter bike by adding these.
Beach cruisers would work but they usually don't have multiple gears.
Good bikes are not cheap. I have about about $4000 wrapped up in my 5 bikes.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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05-11-2017, 01:43 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Texas
Posts: 781
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If you were going to be on asphalt all the time, yea, skinney road tires. But that's not what you're gonna find at a lot of camp grounds. Go for the fat knobby tired mtn type bikes. Check Craigslist. CHEAP.
Tuckerdog1
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2016 RAM 2500 Cummins SLT Lone Star 4X4 LB
2016 Windjammer 3029W Platinum
I'm not an expert. But I play one on the internet.
You live & learn or you don't live long.
If you don't punish your children, life will.
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05-11-2017, 01:55 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Central, Fl.
Posts: 1,330
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I like the 700 x 30 to 35 size tires. The Specialized Sirrus, Trek FX and similar style bikes allow for distance riding to explore areas, and still allow for dirt and grass surface riding.
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2018 Forester 3011DS (Purchased 04/26/17)
2010 Flagstaff 26 RLSS (Sold 05/16)
2012 Ford F-150 Ecoboost, Screw, H/D, 3.73
1930 lbs CCC
2014 Jeep Rubicon JK
Going where the weather suits my clothes.
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05-11-2017, 06:48 PM
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#7
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Summer2Go
Join Date: May 2014
Location: NW New Jersey
Posts: 652
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Check out bikesdirect. If you know enough to assemble a bike, you can save a bit. I just got a really nice mountain bike and did it all myself. Our local bike shop is expensive, and into their bike team, and think they know it all. My last bike was a Dick's Diamond Back, but soooo junky. And, I just found out that Dick's has their in-store bike service for anyone needing a tune-up or repair. Reasonable prices in comparison. Bikesdirect shipped in 4 days for free.
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05-11-2017, 07:02 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: North Central Florida
Posts: 1,629
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We have Trek bikes and find them great for street and trail riding. We rode on a bumpy, root covered trail in coastal Georgia, which also has sand. We did very well with them.
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2010 Ford F-150 Crew Cab
2015 Salem Hemisphere 263RL
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05-11-2017, 07:22 PM
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#9
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Wait till next year...
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Southern Worcester County
Posts: 1,135
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Had to get schwinn walkthru--arthritis everywhere. Still ride 2-3 times a week over paved and stone dust trails.Sits staight up and shocks for seat and front forks
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Mary and Me
2015 2650s "Finally" SOLD
2015 Jeep Cherokee Toady
2023 Geo Pro FD19 "Almost there"
2022 Race Car Red HR Long Ford Transit 250 "The Iwish Roamer"
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05-11-2017, 07:37 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 240
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I have the Next Avalon comfort bike from Walmart. Mine was blue from about five years ago. The current bike is purple, but seems exactly the same. It has seven gears with suspension.
Mine often rides inside my Shasta if the bed of the truck is full. It fits well inside a sedan, too.
I am five foot tall, but with long legs and a bum knee. This 26" is much easier for me to ride than a 24". My 6ft tall son can easily ride it.
Been very pleased with it and have seen others at the campgrounds with this bike as well. I live on a gravel road and it rides very well on it as well as on many other surfaces.
I didn't want to pay $500 for a bike. For a $100 bike, it is a dandy.
Men's https://www.walmart.com/ip/26-Avalon...-Bike/21635130
Women's https://www.walmart.com/ip/26-Avalon...rdRPiUFj76UMTk
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-Laura 2016 Shasta Oasis 18BH & 2015 Ram 1500 Hemi
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05-11-2017, 08:17 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 849
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You can get the best of both worlds sort of speak, a hard tail 29er MTN bike. My son got one and I liked it so much, I retired my old cannondale 26" wheels, MTB and bought a 29er. I don't think a serious MTB'er would get one but it does great for guys like me who are no longer trying to do those steep cross back trails. Rolls great on all surfaces.
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2016 Windjammer 3006WK - Sold July 2018
2002 Lance Lite 835EC TC - Sold July 2015
2010 Dodge Ram 2500, 4x4, Diesel, Front Hitch, Air Lift 5000 Rear Air Bags, Sold Mar 2019.
MISSION COMPLETED!
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05-11-2017, 10:23 PM
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#12
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,780
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Quote:
Originally Posted by actadh
I have the Next Avalon comfort bike from Walmart. Mine was blue from about five years ago. The current bike is purple, but seems exactly the same. It has seven gears with suspension.
Mine often rides inside my Shasta if the bed of the truck is full. It fits well inside a sedan, too.
I am five foot tall, but with long legs and a bum knee. This 26" is much easier for me to ride than a 24". My 6ft tall son can easily ride it.
Been very pleased with it and have seen others at the campgrounds with this bike as well. I live on a gravel road and it rides very well on it as well as on many other surfaces.
I didn't want to pay $500 for a bike. For a $100 bike, it is a dandy.
Men's https://www.walmart.com/ip/26-Avalon...-Bike/21635130
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Just realize that this bike weighs 40lbs, which is pretty heavy in the bicycle world.
But for $100, it's a pretty normal weight.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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05-12-2017, 01:15 PM
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#13
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Pete
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 169
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Google "Electra Townie". Just purchased it. More comfortable seat; same off road tires, 21 speeds (or 7 speeds), more comfortable handlebar position. I'm 6'2", 225lb.
https://www.rei.com/s/electra-townie-bikes?origin=web&ir=collection%3Aelectra-townie-bikes&page=1&s_kwcid=PS_Bing%7C401_3203907%7CElect ra+Townie+21D%7CNB%7Cc8fea2cb-6c07-4a9b-8a80-9ee6c419f839%7Ckwd-25553702748
Had a Trek mountain bike. Never liked it.
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[FONT="Comic Sans MS"][B]Pete and Patty
2019 Forester 3011DS; 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
Lab/Catahoula/Greyhound rescue
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05-12-2017, 01:24 PM
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#14
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 4
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Look into a RadMini e-bike. Foldable, compact, and a great way to get around, both on the trail and in town. Pricey but well worth it!
Have fun!
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05-12-2017, 01:42 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 48
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Camping Bikes
ernster500,
For camping I feel the 700 cm wheels are best, They were originally called hybrids, as they could do "almost" what street bicycles and mountain bicycles could do, combined nicely into one bike. Toy haulers make easy transport of bikes inside along with many other toys. Good luck.
cseeger22
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05-12-2017, 01:44 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Oregon
Posts: 716
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Specialized recently came out with a "best of both worlds" comfort bike called the "Roll". It uses the 650b tire (about half way between a 700c and a 26")
with widths comparable to mtb tires (but without the knobby's so they "roll" better). There are a number of different versions and price points ranging from about $440-$1000. They also have a "step through" version nearly identical to the bike pictured by n-e-d above.
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'04 GMC Sierra 2500HD, CCSB, D/A, MaxBrake, B&W Companion, Retrax Pro, AR Power Steps
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Dad's old 1968 Empi Imp (recently recovered from under 21 years worth of boxes/dust)
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05-12-2017, 02:09 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Florida
Posts: 211
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I did not read all replies however explore/investigate a "foot forward" bike. That is the pedal and sprocket chain is slightly forward compared to the seat unlike conventional bikes. My wife has one and it's like pedaling air and it's light weight. Has had it about 10 years. I would think there are different companies out there making the "fooot forward design" - her s is a "Sun"
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05-12-2017, 03:23 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 147
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A hybrid style would be best for all around. Will accept a large range of tire widths. I am an avid biker myself with currently seven bikes of various designs. With bikes..you do get what you pay for. I would strongly recommend going to a bike shop and getting fitted. A proper fit is very important if you want to ride further than around the block.
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2017 Salem Hemisphere 326RL
2009 Chevy Silveraldo 2500
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05-12-2017, 03:25 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 147
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Just read the foot forward post. Go to a bike shop and test ride. Lots of options.
I ride recumbents almost exclusively now.
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2017 Salem Hemisphere 326RL
2009 Chevy Silveraldo 2500
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05-12-2017, 03:58 PM
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#20
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 17
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Thanks for all the replies! Lot's of good info and I do really appreciate the input. Looks like a trip to some of the local shops is in store for us. I'll let ya'll know what we went with when we finally decide.
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