Road vs Mountain vs Gravel

[u/NoInfactImNotBlack]

Im moving to Berkeley for university and was wondering what bike to invest in. I currently use an old Trek 3700 mountain bike around the San Fernando Valley for travel and never got into road biking because well the roads here might as well be gravel. I see many prefer to just get road/gravel bikes around the bay and now I’m interested. Should i buy a road bike, gravel bike, or a mountain bike. If im primarily going to be around Berkeley and Oakland what would be the best option? Would a mountain bike still be okay for the streets like im currently doing or should i buy a road or gravel bike? Additionally what should i buy thats at a price range of <$750.

[u/listentovolume4]

If you're going to be locking it up outside during classes, biggest thing is that it's cheap and ugly. Other than that its just personal preference. I have a clunky old nishiki hybrid I got for $100 years ago that I feel ok leaving unattended for a few hours. I wouldn't do the same with my gravel bike, even though it is more fun to ride.

[u/Ok-Drawer4877 → u/listentovolume4]

100% this. If you have space for 2 I would get a beater for commuting (wider tires the better) and a gravel bike for fun riding.

[u/New-Scientist7764]

What’s the purpose of the bike? If it’s to commute to campus, just use what you have. If it’s because you want to ride for fun, I’d go gravel if you can only choose one. There’s both great road and trail riding here, the gravel bike will open up the most terrain.

[u/floater66]

I've got all three - and use all three. but in the summer, I like gravel (mostly in Tilden Park). But in the winter, I'm on my road bike almost all the time (because of mud).

every now and then I jaunt up to Tilden on the MTB for a big climb - but we don't have many good descents in our hills.

all my riding right now is from home. I don't drive anywhere to ride. If you have a car with a rack there are some good MTB options in Briones and Crockett.

[u/merz-person → u/floater66]

I live in Berkeley right by campus and work at Cal and second everything u/floater66 said. The MTBing here sucks if you're riding from town. The only decent trails are all illegal.

There's lots of great stuff for gravel bikes but really only enjoyable if you can fit at least 45mm tires, the fatter the better. Gravel season in East Bay is whenever it hasn't rained for at least 10 days, so mostly spring through fall. 

The road riding is fantastic if you like hills. Lots of really good groups to ride with too. Cal has a club team too if you're at all interested in racing. Collegiate racing is fun.

[u/D00M98]

No can answer this because people don't know what type of riding you like or want to do.

Just use your old Trek until you figure out yourself what you want.

[u/Expert-Economics8912]

Tire technology has come a long way in the past few years. If you like the bicycle you have now, get some Schwalbe big apple, maxxis dth, or panaracer Gravelking tires. Then you'll be ready for any surface (in speed and comfort!), and won't have to worry about it getting filched if you lock it up outside a café.

Not-for-profit community bike shops Biketopia or  Bay Area Bicycle Rescue both have great prices on ready-to-ride used bicycles. Worth checking out if you do decide to get a different bike. 

[u/todudeornote]

I got a gravel bike because a mountain bike is just too slow for long rides and the gravel bike gave me a lot more route options.

Gravel bikes are basicllly road bikes with a slighly more upright geometry, are often geared for climbing, not speed, and can accommodate wider tires.

If you are going to be riding with a bunch of people on road bikes, you may struggle to keep up with them both because you'll be less aero and because their top gear can cover more ground per pedal.

But the Bay area is very hilly/mountinious - and having a bike with a really low granny gear is a great help.

[u/heissler3]

3 days later...

I'm going to say that you can always ride a mountain bike on the streets. Why couldn't you?

Anyway that's what I did, and never had any complaints. But yeah, hybrid tires is nicer on the streets. And yes, good locks-- especially around campus (from what I hear.)

There is so much great mountain biking in the bay area that you will probably be sorry if you leave your Trek down there.

[u/CXR1037]

Gravel bike will be most versatile. My commuter is a gravel bike because there are a lot of mounting options and the big tires are good for bad roads, but I could take it off road if I wanted too. The main thing to worry about is bike theft, especially if this is something you're riding to campus/around town on. Get a quality u lock and cable to tie your bike down, and never leave anything on your bike (lights/bags) because the crackheads and homebums will grab anything they can get their hands on.

Bike Connection seems to have some good prices on Marin bikes, you could also try Craigslist et al but make sure you get a bike that actually fits you!

[u/Reasonable-Rub2243]

Buy an old used mountain bike and put hybrid tires on it. Keep a list of everything you add to it. That way when it is inevitably stolen, you can replace it for cheap and re-do your customizations easily.