Do i need another bike?

[R8Steve]

I've recently moved house and there is a cycle path next to the canal that goes for about 30 odd miles. It also covers my commute to work should i choose to start going by bike which i intend to soon.

The problem i have is that i have a Planet X Pro carbon road bike and on a quick reccy on foot the path looks a bit gravely in parts. The actual path is fine and flat but it does have a bit of a loose surface.

Is this kind of bike able to cope with anything but mirror smooth roads or am i just going to end up crashing and ending up in the canal or getting constant punctures if i try?

[Steve vRS]

I think that on 23-25mm road tyres, rough surfaces could mean frequent punctures as well as a rather jarring ride.

So, of course you need a new bike! Sounds like a cyclocross bike would be perfect

Steve

[Gruffy]

The bike will cope just fine. The tyres less so. If you can fit 25s or 28s with a heavy bias towards puncture resistance then that would be the best way to go. You could even get some sturdy and cheap wheels to spare your racy ones instead of splurging on a new bike.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Just get a cheap hybrid TBH

I commute down a gravelly path for 2 miles, then 8 miles road, I use a Kona Dew with 700c 32 width slick tyres with heavy puncture protection

I'd do it occasionally on a road bike, wouldn't want to do it every day:
More punctures
Gravel forms a paste and wears down tranny parts
Muddy and boggy in Winter and after heavy raid
bumby in places, lots of rocks and big stones about

A CX would be fine if you want to spend more

Road bike was fine, but I wouldn't fancy tip toeing along, if I hit it hard everyday on a road bike with low spoked wheels then it would be fubar'd after a month of it

[Steve vRS]

TwistingMyMelon said:

A CX would be fine when you want to spend more

Edited for PH compliance.

Steve

[richardxjr]

PX-PC has limited clearance iirc 25mm max. I'd buy or build something with mudguarded 40c tyres and save the carbon for nice days & roads.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Plus at the moment we have had a few weeks of great weather (FOR ONCE!!!) , the paths near me have dried out and lovely and smooth, come autumn/winter/heavy rain it all changes back to mud fest in places

[gazza285]

TL/DR.

Yes.

[S10GTA]

You need a cross bike

HTH

[Alex Langheck]

You can never have enough bikes - this sounds like an excuse for a CX purchase. How about a Focus Mares? Either in AX, or Carbon? Disc brakes, bolt through axle, etc

[thiscocks]

Just get some 28 gatorskins wire bead, should be fine.

[jrb43]

Of course you need another bike, we all need another bike. In this instance, I agree with all those who suggest dropping £1K on a cross-bike: this seems like excellent reasoning. If you don't have unanimous control over finances: it's worth pointing out that you will pick up increased punctures if you continue on the road bike and after 300-odd of these, the cross-bike will have paid for itself. Remember also, you've just moved house - this has been a very stressful time for you. You deserve a present.

Good. That's that sorted. Now you need to investigate whether your new home has brought you nearer a velodrome, a steep downhill or the Arctic tundra.....

[jrb43]

Of course you need another bike, we all need another bike. In this instance, I agree with all those who suggest dropping £1K on a cross-bike: this seems like excellent reasoning. If you don't have unanimous control over finances: it's worth pointing out that you will pick up increased punctures if you continue on the road bike and after 300-odd of these, the cross-bike will have paid for itself. Remember also, you've just moved house - this has been a very stressful time for you. You deserve a present.

Good. That's that sorted. Now you need to investigate whether your new home has brought you nearer a velodrome, a steep downhill or the Arctic tundra.....

[R8Steve]

Thanks for all the responses, i think i knew the answer deep down but it's always good if other views back up your requirement for a frivolous spend

I'd like to keep the bikes looking similar (vein i know but i have a slight ocd issue) so would probably go for another Planet X although would consider others of course. If i was to set a budget about 1k what would be the best 'other bike'.

At first glance a Planet X Titus El Guapo 29er seems the logical choice, or is it just going to make me another 'all the gear and no idea' MTB'er?

[markd135]

N+1 is always the number of bikes you need.

[CoolC]

As above, but just to add:

Canal path = flat, therefore a single speed CX bike is required.

[Fastpedeller]

CoolC said:

As above, but just to add:

Canal path = flat, therefore a single speed CX bike is required.

Yes indeedee - An On-0ne Pompino will be perfect. A good bike.

[anonymous-user]

Have a look at Condor and Pearson, they both do nice single speed bikes that will fit 28c tyres.

[R8Steve]

What are the advantages of a single speed bike?

I would have thought a geared bike would be more versatile in case i do hit any hills?

[gazza285]

R8Steve said:

What are the advantages of a single speed bike?

I would have thought a geared bike would be more versatile in case i do hit any hills?

Man up and pedal harder.