I am currently riding a Giant Boulder entry level MTB with 1.5 slicks for fitness. I bought this bike for like $50 a few years ago and have put some miles on it.
Lately I have increased my riding and am up to about 80-100 miles per week and i'm looking into getting something else(probably used under 300). A typical ride is about 20 miles.
My riding style isn't all that great I tend to ride 50/50 sidewalks/road(I live in a populated area/dangerous).
I also come from bmx so I tend to hop some curbs from time to time(dodging traffic/idiots) but I am getting better.
I am a short and stocky guy(strong fullback build) but not in the best shape @ 5'6" and 195(trying to get to 170).
Should I look into buying a lighter more efficient MTB with slicks setup or try to change my habits completely and buy a entry level road bike?
I am going to look at a used team marin bike today(titanium commuter) today that has had everything redone including kevlar road tires and quite a few accessories for $100. Seems like a deal to me but who knows.
I think just going to a lighter bike from my Giant boulder which is heavy and very entry level will help but like I said putting in 20 miles a day on that bike is not comfortable..
The most important thing is that the bike is the right size for you.
Even a cheap bike will feel comfortable if it is the right size, has a decent saddle which is properly adjusted, and has the handle bars properly adjusted for you.
So, the main thing is to know what size frame you need when you start searching for used bikes.
If the bike is the wrong size for you, then the price, the quality of the equipment group, and the type of tires it has don't mean a thing.
Others may dissagree, but I don't normally associate the comfort of the bike with how much it costs. However, price can make a significant difference in how the bike performs and how long it will perform at a given level...
