Is it comfortable to ride a road or racing bike on the sidewalk?

Question

I'm seriously considering the purchase of a road or racing bike, and I'm wondering if the thin tires would kill me if I decided to take it on the sidewalk.

Answer 1

Road bikes and especially racing bikes will be uncomfortable on the sidewalk. You will also spend a lot of time truing your wheels and replacing broken spokes. If you are not seriously into racing, have the widest tires and inflate to lowest recommended pressure. Also if you plan to ride on the sidewalk plan to ride over curbs. An expensive racing bike will have expensive, easily damaged wheels. You will also want wheel with double or triple woven spokes. A good touring bike combined with common sense will be fine.

Answer 2

Seems odd choice of bike for riding a walk. Walks are rarely smooth enough to ride a road bike on. You wouldn't want to ride fast as bikes belong on the street and if you must ride a walkway for a short period you would do so slowly.

Check your local ordinances, riding on the walk is not allowed in many places.