I Don't Need a Mountain Bike to Climb a Mountain

So far on this site I've reviewed three bikes, all of them exceptionally good at what they do and each of a different type.

The Specialized Rockhopper is the archetypal MTB or 'Mountain Bike' that's actually intended for general cross-country, rough trails, steep climbs and so on. Its small inner chain wheel and large rear spockets mean it has very low gearing that will let you climb anything your legs and sense of balance will allow, and it will drag you through thick, clinging mud, too. It's robust and has front suspension for the rough stuff.

But it will be relatively slow on the road. You wouldn't want to race a road bike on it - even a very cheap road bike would be too fast, just because of its higher gearing and skinnier, lower-resistance tyres.

The Specialized Tricross is also quite happy among the rough stuff, but not to the same extent as the Rockhopper. It has a longer frame, narrower wheels and tyres and no suspension. It has low gearing, but not as low as an MTB. The Tricross is amazingly capable and very sturdy and will put up with a fair bit of abuse.

It will also keep up with most road bikes, depending on the strength of the rider. It actually makes a very good tourer, and Specialized have been far-sighted enough to include fixing points for a rear pannier rack. The low gearing will get you up alpine passes while the top end makes it fast enough on the flat.

Meanwhile, Dawes have been making touring bikes for decades and are recognised as industry leaders for off-the-peg affordable tourers. Their Galaxy is legendary and actually comes in three or four models now, but their entry level bike is the Horizon. Its traditional steel frame is sturdy and light (and steel's natural flexibility means it's comfortable, too). Components are a step down from the cheapest Galaxy but still excellent and, just as importantly, they are well chosen to give exactly the right characteristics for a tourer.

Once again, that means the gearing is fast enough for the flat - probably a bit faster than the Tricross (unless the Tricross has my brother-in-law in the saddle!), while you also get the low ratios you need for climbing.

Not all tourers have sufficiently low gears for big hills, although they will be fine for ninety-five percent of the time (unless you live in the mountains), but Dawes fit the perfect range of gearing to all their tourers.

So, you or I don't need a mountain bike to climb mountains, unless we're planning to do it off-road. It's the gearing that counts, and you'll arrive a the bottom of a climb quicker and fresher if you do it on a road bike. For a major European trip like our Paris to Venice, a tourer like the Dawes Horizon or Galaxy, or a brilliantly executed compromise like the Specialized Tricross, will be perfect.

All we need then are the legs!

You might still be in time to get your Horizon, Galaxy or Tricross at last year's prices from Evans Cycles. Click any of the Evans banners on this page to go straight to their website. Delivery is free in the UK.

Roy