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The Minnesota Ironman Bike Ride, which has connected families, friends, and communities for decades, will again return to Shakopee on August 14th. Free Bikes 4 Kidz (FB4K), the current beneficiary of the ride, is optimistic. With more being vaccinated and cases dropping, everyone will enjoy a bike ride that will be remembered!
Post-pandemic, FB4K has adjusted its plans for another safe experience. A fun tour including great scenery, epic routes, and the Big Taste of Fun party in Shakopee’s Huber Park. Looking forward to welcoming you back again to the MN Ironman Bike Ride this summer. Save, and help FB4K’s put more kids on bikes by registering today!
What happens to your 2020 registration?
For those who registered last year, your entry from 2020 will be applied to the 2021 event. 2020 registered riders have or will receive instructions for applying their 2020 registration fee to the 2021 ride.
Over the years, the MN Ironman Bike Ride is always fun!
Free Bikes 4 Kidz is re-energizing the oldest bike ride in the state.
“This is an opportunity for us to continue to bring families together for a day of fun while supporting our efforts to impact more children positively,” said Tia Martinson, Executive Director for the Minnesota division of Free Bikes 4 Kidz. “We continue to hear stories from passionate people about this event. With the second year in Shakopee, Ironman riders knew can continue making memories together all day.”
A great ride for family time.
The MN Ironman Bike Ride
Presented again by Apple Autos, the ride starts at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 14th, at Huber Park in Shakopee. Several route options are available. Several ride itineraries are available depending on age and ability, and they include a five, 37, 68.5, and 100-mile course. A Family Fun Ride will also be taking place beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Rider registration
Each registration allows Free Bikes 4 Kidz to provide a bike and helmet for at least one child, and early registration by July 1st costs $60. The ticket price will increase to $70 up to August 12th, when registration closes. Registration can be completed online at https://ironmanbikeride.org/. For local lodging and visitor options, click here.
Riders will return to a “Big Taste of Fun.”
The MN Ironman Bike Ride and Free Bikes 4 Kidz have partnered with The City of Shakopee and
JCI Shakopee for the “Big Taste of Fun” at Huber Park. The free event includes live music,
beverages, and food trucks from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The MN Ironman Bike Ride is fun for all ages!
About Free Bikes 4 Kidz
Free Bikes 4 Kidz is a non-profit organization geared toward helping all kids ride into a happier,
healthier childhood by providing bikes to those most in need. The public donates gently used
bikes; Then FB4K’s organizes thousands of volunteers to clean and refurbish the bikes before giving them away to kids in need. www.FB4K.org
Named after the creek that meanders through the area and flows into the Mississippi River, just below the dam, Coon Rapids offers a great mix of wildlife viewing spots here. Two of my favorite trail systems, especially in the spring and fall, are the Coon Creek Reginal Trail and the Mississippi River Trail below the dam. Both trail systems, when the foliage is minimal, offer some spectacular birding and wildlife viewing. In the winter months, the trails are great for fat bike riding, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing to view birds of prey and other wildlife along the waterways. Look for signs of the abundant wildlife that live in or visit the areas described below (mink, beaver, hawks, osprey, deer, turtles, and river otters, to name a few).
Riding the trails and roads of Coon Rapids
Fun on the MRT, viewing nature, east of the Coon Rapids Dam
Herewith a great mix of paved trails and bike corridors with wide shoulders, You can navigate the city on your bike pretty easily. Just use this handy Coon Rapids bike map and take a tour of the area. It’s easy to connect from your hotel to Bunker Hills Regional Park or the Coon Rapids Dam through the Coon Creek Trail.
The Sand and Coon Creek Trails
A north/south paved nature corridor and waterway offer many viewing spots along the way. The Sand Creek/Coon Creek Trail System stretches over 15-miles from Bunker Hills Regional Park down to the Coon Rapids Dam. In Bunker Hills, you’ll find another trail system winding through beautiful prairie areas with patches of Oak Savanna forests.
You will find miles of paved trails running through the Bunker Hills Regional Park.
The lower portion of the Coon Creek Trail takes you through Erlandson Nature Center and Robinson Park before reaching the Coon Rapids Dam and the Mississippi River Trail.
The Mississippi River Trail (MRT southern loop)
The Coon Rapids Dam Visitors Center is a picturesque place to stop and gather more information.
Below the Coon Rapids Dam and Park Area is another favorite of mine. Using the paved trail (MRT), you are surrounded by a mix of nature. Forests running into both prairie and wetland environments, only minutes away from the main road. The trail here is very well marked with MRT signage, so getting lost won’t be an issue. At the south end of the park, along the trail between the Dam and the riverfront neighborhoods, is a favorite haunt.
Where to eat, stay and play when visiting Coon Rapids
After exploring the trails, the next adventure is finding the perfect dining option in the Twin Cities Gateway.
The options are endless when spending time visiting Coon Rapids and the other eight neighboring Twin Cities Gateway communities in the north suburbs of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Similar to the early 1800s, when Coon Rapids was a stopping point on the Oxen Trail from the Red River Valley to St. Paul, hospitality is still key, along with its wildlife corridors, though the trails have changed. Check out their website here, and enjoy!
Everyone rides the Cannon Valley Trail (CVT) for FREE, June 5th. If you are new to the CVT or it has been a while, this is the perfect time to come to Cannon Falls, MN, and enjoy the many activities and attractions in the area.
Entertainment at Cannon Valley Trail open house
Will include InTandem (Brenda Owens and Lee Mensinger) from 11:00-2:00. From the Cannon Valley. This duo performs a variety of folk, blues, roots, and Americana standards with vocal harmonies on guitars, mandolin, banjo, and ukulele.
Helpful Tips
Bike Safety Clinic at O’Gorman Rest, in Cannon Falls, from 1 to 3 p.m. Tom from Downtown Bike Shop in Northfield will be on-site for quick repairs, bike safety, and information using the self-repair station.
Discover Nature
RW Naturalists will be as WSA from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with activity sheets, information, and maps. Their goal is to encourage residents and visitors to explore, learn and take care of the natural spaces that make our county unique.
Or, take a selfie with one CVT “Picture Frames” while riding along the trail. Share it on Facebook or Instagram – #CVT
More Voice of the Valley Events are scheduled throughout the summer – Click Here!
About the Cannon Valley Trail
The Cannon Valley Trail is a 19.7-mile-long trail that runs through diverse and spectacular scenery on a former Chicago Great Western Railroad line. The trail connects the cities of Cannon Falls, Welch, and Red Wing in southeastern Minnesota.
Paralleling the Cannon River, the Trail offers glimpses and panoramas of the valley. There is a gradual descends of 115 feet in elevation from Cannon Falls to Red Wing. Along the trail, pedal past overhanging cliffs and extensive wetland complexes for viewing. Throughout the year, nature’s seasonal changes are vividly displayed along the trail.
The Trail is open year-round for bicycling, in-line skating, skateboarding, similar wheeled recreational devices, hiking, walking, and cross country skiing. Trail users age 18 or older must have a valid Wheel Pass when using the trail from April 1st – November 1st.
Keep an eye out for the eagles and their nests on the inaugural Eagle Watch Bike Tour on Saturday, May 8, 2021. It’s a family-friendly bike event exploring the Point Douglas Trail between Hastings, MN, and Prescott, WI. Enjoy biking this 5.5-mile trail (11 miles round trip), spotting eagles, and exploring two historic downtowns.
Here is what you need to know about the Eagle Watch Bike Tour
There are trial options for all skill levels. Check out the bike map posted in the comments to decide what trail you would like to explore. Keep an eye out for the eagle nests!
Register for one of the four-time slots from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Then on the day of the event, check-in at either the Prescott, WI location (The Clocktower – 23 Broad St) or the Hastings, MN (The Confluence Deck – 200 2nd St W) location.
Both starting points will have local organizations that can provide additional information about the area, additional trail riding opportunities, and the natural habitat along the way.
This event is hosted by The Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce & The Prescott Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Carpenter Nature Center, The City of Hastings, and Great River Road Visitors and Learning Center at Freedom Park.
Eagle Watch Bike Tour Shirts can be purchased now through April 22nd on the Nine Eagles promotions website at https://eaglewatch2021.itemorder.com/. Choose from a variety of colors and sizes. Once ordered, select to have your shirt(s) shipped to you or pick them up before the ride. Questions? Contact Nine Eagles Promotions in Hastings at (651) 437-5077
Get outdoors this spring and enjoy two river towns at the confluence of the Mississippi and St. Croix River!
Named for an early settler along the east bank of the Mississippi River. Today bike-friendly Fridley, with its 10-mile bike loop, lets visitors discover art, nature, and beautiful flower gardens along the way. Here, with many cycling paths connecting to both the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) and the Rice Creek Trail, it’s easy to get around. One of the nine communities of the Twin Cities Gateway, the city of Fridley is located just north of Minneapolis and a fun place to explore. So, if you enjoy biking along the trails that Red River oxen carts once used, we have some options to explore while enjoying the Fridley 10-mile bike loop.
Fun on the Fridley 10-mile bike loop.
The Fridley 10-mile bike loop
Starting from the outer parking lot of the LivINN Hotel, (southeast corner od I-694 and Central Avenue) the Fridley route heads out in a clockwise direction. After crossing the intersection at Central Ave. drive your bike using the bike lane on 53rd Avenue for the next two miles. Now turning to the north on Main Street, once over Interstate I-694, you will pass Woodsprings Hotel. Those who would like to begin the 10-mile bike loop from this point continue north up to 61st Avenue. Here on your left, you are at the Fridley train station.
Passing through Edgewater Garden Park on the MRT.
Taking the tunnel under the RR tracks
On the east side of the Northstar-Line Fridley Station, use the elevator. Taking your bike with you down to the lower level and walk through the tunnel to the west side of the train tracks. On the main level, on the west side, the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) is right outside the door and ready for you to venture north again. An option for another day, consider boarding the Northstar Train with your bike and ride it up the Anoka, Elk River, or Big Lake, then pedal back to Fridley on the MRT. See the multi-modal train-to-trail cue sheet here.
Many roads in Fridley offer trails that parallel for added comfort.
More adventure awaits at the Locke Lake trail T
Flower gardens invite you into the Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts.
Back on the 10-mile bike loop, continue pedaling north on the MRT as the trail passes through Edgewater Garden Park. A little further on, before turning into Locke Lake Park at the trail T, you have a couple more options. If you don’t mind adding some additional miles out and back, continue on the MRT to the Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts. With rotating art exhibits, the art center is next to Manomin County Park. Another mile further, you will find the Springbrook Nature Center. These three community highlights can add more memorable moments to any bike ride.
Manomin County Park is on the same grounds as the Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts.
Back on the 10-mile bike loop, the trail connects to the Rice Creek Trail in Locke Lake Park. Use caution as you ride your bike through this area. You will need to apply both your front and rear brakes (or walk your bike) as you descend along Locke Lake on the trail. If you are riding with others, allow extra space between each, as a few sharp turns are passing under the RR tracks next to Rice Creek as it flows into the lake. Finally, at the next T, the Rice Creek Trail runs through Fridley Community Park.
Now riding east along the Rice Creek Trail.
After crossing University Avenue, at the stoplight, resume riding east on the Rice Creek Trail. In this section between University and Highway 65, the Rice Lake Trail offers an upper and lower trail segment. The 10-mile loop uses the upper trail, as it’s a bit shorter and takes you past restroom facilities in the park before reaching the tunnel under Highway 65. After the tunnel, resume the route by taking a left at the trail T to Central Ave. If you are staying at Budget Host Hotel or desire to start the 10-mile loop from here, at this trail T take a right and head south a block to the hotel.
Turning south, ice cream may soon be an option.
The trail route now, heading south, runs parallel to Central Avenue. If you have a sweet tooth and desire a delicious Ice cream treat, turn right on Moore Lake Road into Grandpa’s Ice Cream.
The flavors here are worth stopping for.
Continuing along Central Ave, as you reach Hillcrest Drive, you have one more option to cool off. If it’s a hot day, half-mile further south is Moore Lake Park, where you will find a beach for a refreshing swim. Otherwise, take a left on Hillcrest, and the route jogs through several neighborhood streets down to Matterhorn Drive. After crossing over Interstate 694, turn right on Skywood Lane and follow the freeway border wall around to the start.
Your favorite music keeps you pedaling in high spirits through the toughest rides like nothing else. So how do you bring your favorite tunes along with limited space while riding a bike? Take a look at these tips below and some of the most popular options.
Earbuds for favorite music
The most common way people listen to music is through earbuds. Earbuds do a great job because they fit snugly into your ear (eliminating a lot of wind noise), are light and collapsible, and don’t need an additional power source. The downside of earbuds is they can limit your ability to hear your surroundings. We take for granted how much our auditory sense contributes to our ability to ride comfortably through the world. If you want to use earbuds, you should use just one. Most media devices will allow you to shift all music to one earbud, leaving your other ear open and keeping you safe.
Speakers
Another simple option is to use the speakers on your phone and purchasing a mount to hold your phone. Doing this option works okay, but music quality and battery life end up being an issue. Although this is not a great option, many riders use their phone as a GPS device, so it is already available to be a media player. Another option is a speaker system that mounts into your helmet.
Another popular choice is to use your phone paired with a portable speaker. Lots of riders find it easy to mount a speaker to their bike or person. Portable speakers maintain good sound quality, rely on their own internal battery, and allow you to hear the world around you. The best part is the volume can be adjusted so that others outside of your immediate vicinity won’t hear your choice of boyband!
As the beat goes on, drive your bike safely.
Rock and pedal responsibly no matter what music you choose. Be responsible to yourself by not eliminating your ability to hear the world around you, and respect others who may want to enjoy all the sights and sounds uninterrupted.
About John Brown, the author
As a lifelong cyclist and consummate tinkerer, John operates Browns Bicycle in Richfield, MN. It all started for him in grade school when the bike bug bit and that particular fever is still there. Now, and over the past thirty years, he has worked at every level in the bike industry. Starting, like most, sweeping floors and learning anything he could about bikes. He eventually graduated as a service manager and then to a store manager. Through the years, he has spent extensive time designing and sourcing bicycles and parts for some of the largest bike companies in the world. All the while focusing on helping as many people as possible enjoy the love of riding a bike. In that pursuit, he has taught classes (both scheduled and impromptu) on all things bikes. John also believes in helping every rider attain their optimal fit on the bike of their dreams. Please feel free to stop in any time and talk about bikes, fit, parts, or share your latest ride. You can also see more of John’s tricks and tips on the Brown Bicycle Facebook Page.
What started eleven years ago to help more people stay active, the “30 Days of Biking” campaign has grown in popularity. Now, as the drive moves forward with its heart-healthy values, it’s the right of passage to warmer weather riding ahead. Giving those who participate the right to brag or at least the stamina to stem-off most illnesses. As April leaves much to be desired most years. Enjoy fond memories with the current forecast predicting above-normal temps the first week in April.
First, you sign up for 30 Days of Biking with your own set of rules on how far and where you want to ride each day. It might be as little as a spin around the block, a few laps around the underground parking garage or spinning at the gym, all depending on the weather. Then as May approaches, you will not only have bragging rights, you will feel a lot better and be at your peak, ready for the summer bike season.
The only rule is to dress to meet your own body’s comfort level no matter if it’s in April or any other time of the year.
Cycling can improve your health, keeping you on top of your game.
Did you know that just 20 minutes of cycling in a day can cut in half your risk of dying from a heart-related disease? According to a recent study conducted by Purdue University in Indiana, you will also feel better and may help improve your muscle for walking, general balance, and climbing stairs. The study concluded that regular cycling could cut your risk of heart disease by a whopping 50 percent. Let’s see now, besides bragging rights, if I turn my bikes crank each day in April; I will feel better – where do I sign up?
Signing up and pledging to ride 30 Days in April biking, it’s free!
The 30-day campaign is a pledge to ride your bike every day in April, any distance, any destination and share your adventures online at #30daysofbiking. Tell your friends, sign up and ride together and make sure your bike is ready to roll.
Join 30 Days of Biking through April, wearing this tee-shirt, and feeling good about yourself.
30 Days of Biking is a springtime tradition founded in 2010 by two avid cyclists in Minneapolis. Last year over 10,000 bicyclists from St. Paul, to San Diego, to Düsseldorf, Germany, join this “community of joyful cyclists.” Will you join them?
Very simply, it’s a pledge to ride your bike every day in April, no matter, what the weather or if it is one or thirty-miles each day, and trainer bike miles count too!
Join 30 Days of Biking, April 1 through 30 and be a winner with better health and more friends.
Sometimes you have to bike in the rain as spring arrives, so make it fun!
Depending on the weather, you sign up and set your own rules as to how far you ride. It might be as little as a spin around the block.
Staying dry is the most important and difficult part of riding. The best way to keep dry is to wear waterproof clothing. While most synthetic fabrics still insulate when wet, being wet diminishes their ability to keep you warm. Therefore, a waterproof jacket and pants are a great way to start, but waterproof socks and gloves make the outfit complete. While a lot of materials are naturally waterproof, once perforated with stitching, zipped closed with generic zippers, and left to be loose at all the cuffs, their waterproofing goes out the window. Before you go out and buy anything labeled “waterproof,” read on to understand that all waterproofing is not the same.
Quick and easy bicycle maintenance tips for 30 Days of Biking
Like any other mechanical device, routine bicycle maintenance and cleaning will keep your bike in optimal condition when riding 30 Days in April. Additionally, routine bicycle maintenance will make your bike safe to ride whenever you need it. Where do you start? What do you use? Well, here are a few tips to put you on the right track!
After finishing your daily 30 Days challenge here are a few more tips to prepare your bike for the next day.
Get ready, make a pledge to 30 Days of Biking today!
It’s easy and no monetary costs to you. Then you share your adventures online with #30daysofbiking#nextbikeadventure and have fun while supporting a good cause, your health!
Your vacation time is precious, and that’s not something Lakeville takes lightly. Located on the southside of the Twin Cities, the bike-friendly small town is the perfect getaway for those wanting a break from the big city noise.
In Lakeville, you can breathe in all the fresh Minnesota air you want as you enjoy your favorite outdoor activities. Ride your bike along its many trails and loops, go for a nice hike, or just lay by the beach and soak in the rays (remember the sunscreen). And this is all within a bikeable distance.
More About Bike-Friendly Lakeville
One of the best parts about Lakeville is its location. It may feel as if you’re far away from the city, but you’re really only 30 minutes away from downtown Minneapolis. So even if its a last a minute getaway you need after a long week at work, Lakeville is ready to help you take your worries away.
You can also steer your bike into historic downtown Lakeville and discover its many locally-owned shops, restaurants, and more. And if you want to pair your tastebuds on this adventure, then check out the town’s local brewery and winery.
Riding options when visiting Lakeville
There are plenty of opportunities when pedaling around Lakeville. Its road and trail routes will help you get around town. And for off-road adventure checkout, the West Marion Lake Mountain Bike Trails with challenges for all skill levels. , and other easier trails taking you on a tour of the towns. No matter what kind of biker you are you’ll find a course path, full of nature and lakes, for your next adventure in Lakeville.
Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve
You don’t have to go far for some good mountain biking. Murphy-Hanrehan has a single-track section full of trails for all skill levels. The easy trail is just under one mile, the intermediate trail is just under 2.5 miles, and the advanced trail is nearly 7 miles. Also, the trails are connected so you can ride all three if you want to take on all levels.
Buck Hill Mountain Bike Skills Park
Buck Hill may be best known for its skiing, but the summer attracts the mountain bikers as well. It’s the perfect place for beginners, and there are even sections for those with more experience. Switching from trail to trail is easy as one connects to at least one of the others.
Lebanon Hills Regional Park
The largest park in the Dakota County park system also has plenty of mountain biking. Located at the park’s West Trailhead, there are different areas for all skill levels. Each course features different obstacles for its level of difficulty. Riders will have to face challenges such as riding over a pile of logs, rocks, sharp turns, and more. Maps are located throughout the courses to help navigation.
Road Biking
Getting around on your bike in Lakeville is relatively easy as well, especially in historic downtown Lakeville. Most of the roads have a trail running alongside them so you don’t have to worry about sharing the road with motorists.
Ritter Farm Park for hiking
If you’re looking to get some walking miles in, but also want to take it easy, give the trails at Ritter Farm Park a try. Along the way, you’ll see colorful flowers and the trail connects to another trail that takes you along Marion Lake.
An At-A-Glance Look at Lakeville
Be sure to check out our At-A-Glance Lakeville Article for more details on where to stay, play, and explore for your hand-held devices. As this story and the At-A-Glance Article are mobile-friendly for your convenience, have fun!
Here it can feel like you are smack dab in the middle of northern Minnesota, especially while enjoying bike loops along the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes. A perfect place for your next bike vacation the Lino Lakes 10-bike loop and the many trail connections here are worth considering. One of nine Twin Cities Gateway communities, the Lino Lakes area supports a large Blue Heron rookery and hosts the annual Blue Heron Days Festival held in the middle of August. Regardless of when you visit, you are sure to see several species of wildlife to enhance your Minnesota experience while pedaling while biking here.
A true north experience!
The Lino Lakes bike loop is a true north experience
For the Lino Lakes 10-bike loop, the route travels clockwise and begins at the parking lot of the Hampton Inn. After pulling out from the hotel you will find a bike trail running parallel on the east side of Lake Drive. From there It’s a short distance before you are riding in the stunning Rice Creek Park Preserves. One of the largest preserves in the Twin Cities Area the Rice Creek Chain offers both paved and water trails. On the bike route, you are sure to see some of the most significant native wildlife habitat and water resources in the metro area.
The Lino Lakes Area is a family fun location.
Entering the trail system next to the Lino Lakes YMCA the trail circles the shoreline around Marshan Lake, before crossing over the Rice Creek, as it flows out of George Watch Lake. At the next trail T, the route takes a sharp left and runs parallel to the golf course road. After a sharp right curve and before the clubhouse a service road helps trail riders get over to the north shoreline of Reshanan Lake.
From a cottage community to the park it is an enjoyable ride
Passing the Reshanan Lake cottage community, soon Shadow Lake Drive disappears and trail riders are meandering past marshy areas with occasional patches of a forest while making their way to Centerville Lake. Now on E Street, at the boat landing, it’s a short distance along the service road here up to the beach area where you will find restrooms and a visitor center. Leaving the park take the trial to the entrance on Main Street. The Lino Lakes 10-bike loop heads north, but there is an option if you don’t mind adding a couple more miles. Consider taking the trails south along Main Street and visiting the charming little community of Centerville.
A few more options as the Lino Lakes 10-bike loop heads north
Wildlife viewing along the roads and trails here offers many opportunities.
Pedaling north on the trail parallel to Main Street you will cross Rice Creek again as it flows from Peltier Lake across the road to George Watch Lake. Here from the road look up to the northeast end of Lake Peltier and you can make out the Blue Heron Rookery. Soon you are passing the entrance to Wargo Nature Center. A place devoted to increasing the awareness and appreciation of natural and cultural resources. The center is located on a peninsula surrounded by George Watch Lake and offers activities, labs and equipment rental. For another outing, check out the available rental canoes and kayaks to experience the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes water trail.
Back in Lino Lakes for a cool beverage and fun
After a ride, many enjoy stopping in Lino Lakes for a cool beverage.
After crossing over 35W, on the wide shoulder, you are rolling back into Lino Lakes. As you turn onto Lake Drive consider stopping in at the Hammerhead Brewery before returning to the Hampton Inn. Back at the parking lot, check out the nearby eating establishments and plan another fun adventure in the Twin Cities Gateway Area.
Trail bikes, fitness bikes, hybrid bikes, and dual-sport bikes all fall into the same category of bicycle. Although these bikes all occupy the same category, they have very different uses. Read on to find out what bike will fit your needs best.
Before Buying One Of Many Hybrid Bikes, Determine Where You Want to Ride
Road, trail, or offroad.
Hybrid Bikes for Road Riding
Paved surfaces are more inviting to cyclists than ever before thanks to bicycle conscience city planners and influential cycling groups. Bike lanes on city roads, bike paths on retired rail lines, and dedicated cycling trails are just a few of the options open for paved riding. Because of these options, there are many bicycles available for paved riding specifically.
Hybrid Bikes for Path/Trail Riding
By far, path and trail riders are the largest segments of casual cyclists. This is due to the vast availability of riding options. Due to the fact that there are tons of options, these bikes are designed to ride comfortably and efficiently through almost anything.
Hybrid Bikes for Off-Road Riding
A newly emerging category is casual off-road riding. For this reason, many bicycle manufacturers have developed products to allow riders to enjoy trails comfortably. These bikes are similar to path/trail bikes, but usually include tires with more knobs and suspension.
How frequently do you plan on riding?
The cost of a bicycle can range from around $300 up to the tens of thousands of dollars. The most basic models use less durable materials like plastics rather than metals in the shifting components, and mild steel rather than stronger alloys for the drivetrain and cockpit. As the prices increase, stronger materials replace less durable materials, lending to a bicycle that will hold up better for frequent use. Consequently, at a certain price (different for every category of a bicycle), the durability doesn’t increase. Instead, the weight begins to decrease. A lighter bicycle is easier to control and accelerate (making for a more enjoyable ride). Determining how frequently you intend to ride and weighing that against the bikes you are looking at will ensure you get the right bike for your needs.
Bike Features
Disc brakes vs. rim brakes
Rim brakes work by two rubber pads squeezing the aluminum rim of your wheel. They are inexpensive, functional, and lightweight. When conditions are good, they work incredibly well. Disc brakes use hardened semi-metallic pads to squeeze a hardened steel rotor. Disc brakes produce an enormous amount of friction, and that friction can overcome poor conditions. To summarize, both brakes work, but disc brakes work better in poor conditions.
Suspension vs. no suspension
Bikes that go off-road typically use suspension forks to silence the chatter of gravel paths, dirt roads, and trails. Bikes with rigid forks tend to handle better because they are laterally stiffer and end up being lighter due to the lack of moving parts.
Wheel size
26″ x 1.75 and 700×37
In this category, you will find smaller wheels and larger ones. The smaller wheels are usually 26” in diameter and around 2 inches wide. The larger wheels are sized out at 700 c (roughly 28″ in diameter) and usually are between 28 and 42 millimeters wide.
Differences
Once you have figured out where and how often you want to ride, and you learned about some of the features, it’s time to learn about the differences in the bikes.
Hybrid Bikes
Hybrid bicycles at one point were the only bike in this category. They get their names from the fact that they were initially a hybrid of a mountain and road bike. Today, a hybrid is a great bike for fun and fitness. They usually incorporate suspension forks to smooth out the road. Most types use a tire that is 30-40 mm wide and well suited to gravel roads, rails to trails, or paved roads. If you are looking for the most comfortable ride across the largest segment of conditions, a hybrid is a right choice for you.
Fitness bikes
Fitness bikes share a lot of features with hybrids. They have similar wheel sizes, riding positions, and gearing. Where they differ is that hybrids incorporate a lot of features to add comfort, while fitness bikes focus on efficiency and being lightweight. If you are the type of rider who wants to get a great workout and enjoy your neighborhood or local bike path, a fitness bike is a right choice.
Dual Sport bikes
Dual sport bikes are a new and quickly growing segment of this category. The Dual sport bike is similar to the hybrid, in that it uses suspension. Where it differs from a hybrid is that they are designed for off-road use. By changing the rider position, incorporating wider tires, and using disc brakes, these bikes excel on bike trails that are a bit more technical. If your adventure takes you off the beaten path, dual sport bikes are the tool of choice.
How to choose
Paramount to buying the right bike is trying them. Start with a bike that fits you correctly. Take it for a good 10-15 minute ride to see how it handles. Ride it on hills and on some path if possible. Next, try some other models that use different features. Test riding will quickly highlight the benefits of disc brakes, suspension, and tire sizes. Once you feel comfortable on a few bikes, try them back to back and figure out which is the right fit for you.
Check out the latest styles for 2021
Thanks to the latest reviews from 29 experts at BikeRide.com, see 46 of the best hybrid bikes to consider when buying your next bike.
About John Brown the author
As a lifelong cyclist and consummate tinkerer, John operates Browns Bicycle in Richfield, MN. It all started for him in grade school when the bike bug bit and that particular fever is still there. Now, and over the past thirty years, he has worked at every level in the bike industry. Starting, like most, sweeping floors and learning anything he could about bikes. He eventually graduated to a service manager and then store manager. Through the years, he has spent extensive time designing and sourcing bicycles and parts for some of the largest bike companies in the world. All the while focusing on helping as many people as possible enjoy the love of riding a bike. In that pursuit, he has taught classes (both scheduled and impromptu) on all things bikes. John also believes in helping each and every rider attain their optimal fit on the bike of their dreams. Please feel free to stop in any time and talk about bikes, fit, parts, or just share your latest ride. You can also see more of John’s tricks and tips on the Brown Bicycle Facebook Page.
