Yeah, almost all of my riding will be on asphalt (errands around town, pleasure rides on paved bike paths), but I anticipate doing some gravel and dirt, just not terrain with too much depth of character. I still like the idea of getting a mountain bike at some point, but I think I would only do it if I found someone to go with me. I'm not the biggest lone adventurer.
That Pivot 429 looks like a ton of fun. Besides the overall feel of the ride, what features are you enjoying so far?
Riding with a buddy would be nice. I tend to ride alone due to schedules, and we have bears everywhere. I hate packing a firearm when I'm riding a bike, or even bear spray. Both of which might work, if I have time to use them (highly unlikely). Two riding and talking is better, as the bear would hear us and not get startled.
I like how light the Pivot is, and feels. The geometry is also nice, along with the larger 29" wheels. It's uber-comfortable over rocks and bumpy terrain. Just an overall nice bike. It is considered more of a cross-country style than enduro, as it doesn't have a ton of suspension travel. For features, I dunno.... Not any one in particular. I do not have the package with electronic shifting, or the uber-expensive gear sets.
If you do go with a mountain bike, I would definitely take a few out for a spin before buying. They do ride and feel different. They all will come in different frame sizes too, so you will want to see which frame size is for you, and not go off a dumb sizeing chart.
I'm actually looking at getting one of Pivot's gravel bikes now.
A couple of my friends who are big-time bikers take their bikes with them all over the country. They check them as baggage. They go to bike parks and ride.... I had no idea there was such a thing as a "bike park" until I got my bike and found new friends who ride a lot. It is a hobby that is every much like audio.
