All-in-one bikes
Reviewed: Bruce Gordon Rock N' Road Tour, Specialized Tricross Comp, Diamondback Overdrive 29er, Rawland Sogn The Rock N' Road Tour was ahead of its time. Sixteen years ago, I rode this strange, do-it-all bike with road bike wheels, knobby off-road tires and a touring rack from the Redondo Beach bike path up 2,000 feet of dirt trails to the Mulholland fire road. I tore past mountain bikers. It was exhilarating to overlook the San Fernando Valley and think, "I did this all on one bike!" Of course, with no suspension and fairly narrow tires, a bike like this was a little dicey on technical descents. But for 99% of riding, this is the bike people ought to have. It tours, road-rides and mountain bikes without taking up all the garage space. Today the Rock N' Road is improved -- and not alone. Do-it-all bikes are gaining in popularity as practical times beckon and acceptance of unorthodox size frames and wheels grows. There's even a website devoted to all-in-one bike adventure called Rough Riders . Here are four bikes that try to do it all.
