Moving, new bike options

[Josh K]

I'm moving this weekend to Belle Plain and have already scoped the routes into work. 41 miles each way via the wide county roads. Otherwise I can catch one of the corridor trails that is crushed lime stone and ride in and avoid some traffic.

Question: I haven't run crushed limestone an don't know what rig will serve well for a 80 mile daily ride. I have my road and tt bike - neither of witch I think will do well daily on this surface. My only other option is my mountain bike - either a Trek 8000 or Fuel.

Would it be a better idea to throw some skinner tires on the 8000 or should I build a cheap cycle-cross bike and run something slightly wider than 700X23? What would you run? Are there any other alternatives?

[Slimpee]

I run these in a 700x35c size and despite not being the quietest tire out there i've been very pleased w/ them in the slushy snowy crap so i suspect they'd work great in crushed stone.

http://www.wtb.com/img/tires/hy/allterrainasaurus.jpg

Also, if you want to build a CC bike and can ride a 54 cm frame this isn't a bad option:
http://www.mplsbikelove.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6539
Up for grabs is a barely used Kona Jake. There are probably about 200 miles on it after last summer's commuting, so the cables have stretched and the shifters need a tune, but that's it. It was never raced or crashed, but did fall over one time after the rider suffered a poor dismount due to a good night of drinking. There are some tiny scratches on the left shifter as a result. As a whole, squeaky clean.

I'm selling because it's a 54cm frame and is a bit large for me, plus my sloth and financial ruin can be your gain! $495.
http://www.konaworld.com/bikes/2k7/JAKE/index.html

[RiverRat]

As long as the "crushed limestone" is hard and dry, small slicks (700 x 25ish) will work.... They won't be ideal, but they will survive. If you have room, go for something in the 35-38 range. It will give you a softer ride on pavement as well, but will not add significant rolling resistance. Tread is not necessary, but will help when it gets a little snotty. When it's down right wet, you will be better off with mountain tires or a car.

Oh yeah, and good luck with a 41 mile commute. Nothing like heading out for work 2-1/2 hours before you start.

[Josh K]

Can a normal 700 wheel handle a 35?

I need to do a ton of miles this year for tri-training and I figure any time I can combine a workout with transportation - like a 2 hour bike - that works out great. Also breaking up the agony of always riding the same bike is a nice alternative.

[bike>>rider]

I occassionally commute from Chaska to Downtown Mpls via the LRT trail and run 700x35 Ritchey Speedmax Delta tires on a cyclocross bike. The commute is half paved trail, half crushed limestone, and I find this tire to be a good compromise for the two surfaces. For something a bit narrower, check the Continental Ultra Gatorskin, avail in 28c or 25c, but more expensive.

I had Bontrager select rims and they handled the 35c tires no prob.

Definitely road or cyclocross bike at those distances. skinny tires on a mtb = much longer commute.