Question about Which Bicycle for Camping...

[ernster500]

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

[Finster]

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.

[ceedog]

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.

[bikendan]

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.

[tuckerdog1]

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

[Steeljag]

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.

[Summer2Go]

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.

[CampingGator]

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.

[n-e-d]

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

[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

Women's https://www.walmart.com/ip/26-Avalon...rdRPiUFj76UMTk

[gectisme]

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.

[bikendan]

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

Just realize that this bike weighs 40lbs, which is pretty heavy in the bicycle world.
But for $100, it's a pretty normal weight.

[gartonhl]

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.

[delunderpar]

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!

[cseeger22]

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

[GreenImp]

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.

[twoclaws]

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"

[meandmylabs]

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.

[meandmylabs]

Just read the foot forward post. Go to a bike shop and test ride. Lots of options.
I ride recumbents almost exclusively now.

[ernster500]

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.