<p>I’m an incoming freshman that will be attending UC Davis next fall, and I can’t decide on what kind of bike to buy and I’m hoping someone can help me out. First off, I love bikes and riding bikes. I was on my high school’s Mountain Bike team this year, and I raced in 3 separate 18 mile races in the SoCal high school league, and I truly love mountain biking. I want to continue it at Davis. The problem is, I noticed a lot of the campus and the surrounding area is completely flat and lacks mountains. However, I did notice a mountain bike club at UC Davis, which I would be interested in joining.</p>
<p>My issue is whether to buy a road bike or a mountain bike for my freshman year. The bike I raced with last season was a loaner, so I need a new one. I hear Davis has some excellent road trails and road rides, and a road bike would get me around campus a lot more quickly and efficiently (mountain bike on road = no bueno). But, I also understand that you can ride a mountain bike both on road and off road. I don’t really know what to get, I’d be ok with dabbling in road biking, and a road bike would seem more suited for UCDs terrain, but I don’t want to totally give up mountain biking.</p>
<p>Anyway, in your experience at UCD what kind of bike would you recommend in my situation?</p>
<p>BTW this will be both for commuting and serious cycling. I’ve been doing a lot of road training on my mountain bike and its a PITA compared to if I had a road bike. But, I’m happy because i have plenty of opportunities to mountain bike. I’m wondering if it’ll be this way at UCD.</p>
<p>I’m not so sure I would want a serious bike for college… I’m sure it will make it a big target for someone to steel. I’d go to target or Walmart and purchase a cheepo. My son just bought a Magna ‘Excitor’ 21 speed for $94 at Target yesterday. Pretty dang nice mountain bike for $94… rear wheel shock and such.</p>
<p>Keep your high-end bike at home, where it’s safe… unless you have an apartment to store it inside for those high-end mountain bike trips.</p>
<p>road bike. you know about bikes, and you know that davis is completely flat. I shouldn’t have to explain much else.
A lot of people have mountain bikes and cruisers where the seat is so low that it takes them twice the effort to go half the distance as a road bike.
i ride a single speed</p>
<p>I’m not going to be buying a racing bike, but I’m also not going to buy a crappy wal mart bike. I’m going to spend about $300 on a used but decent road bike to get around and go on rides with. I am worried about theft, but I bought a beefey lock and I can only hope for the best.</p>
<p>Anyway, I’m leaning towards a road bike. Are there some good paths for road riding at Davis.</p>
<p>I like to keep a mountain bike with 2 sets of tires, one knobby slimed set for off-road and another skinny set for on-road. The best of both worlds.</p>
The best of both worlds.</p>