Anyone use a stock or modified mountain bike for commuting?
I had a 1999 Specialized Rock hopper Pro with a Surly 1X1 fork and Nimbus Armadillos.
Since someone decided they needed to liberate my bike, I'm now looking for another.
I have a stumpjumper sport set up for commuting. Mostly stock components, right down to the tomaselli grips, but new crossroads tires and thorn proof tubes. Added a rear rack and fenders, front and rear lights, coffee cup holder and a bell. Good to go on the streets, MUT, and occasional singletrack foray
Originally Posted by JonathanGennick
I am a poser. But forums.poser.com doesn't seem to exist, so I come here instead. ;)
I've been commuting on an MTB for the last 10 years. The last 4 years I put 1.5 street tires (Nimbus Sport), but the first 6 were on 2" knobbies. An old rigid steel bike makes a great commuting platform; cheap and sturdy.
My dedicated commuter is my old mountain bike with road tires. It was one of the best choices I've made. It let me keep using a bike I love AND it let me get a FS mountain bike.
I threw on a Topeak rack, two sets of bar ends, pair of 40mm Kendras, and lights on my mtb and commute. I can pull off everything but the tires in less than 10 min to hit the trails.
The ridiculousness of cycling clothes increase exponentially in relation to the distance from your bicycle.
Salsa El Mariachi for my commute. 8 miles old unimproved double track road with 2 stream crossings, 5 miles graded dirt road with washboard from hell, 7 miles pavement, 1 mile single track. Only possible during warmer months though.....sigh.
Over the years I have commuted on specialized hard rock, rock hopper and Gary fisher Aquila. Biggest problem I had was being first one at the office during snow/ice storms.
Will admit commutes on road/track bikes had faster pace but when weather turns bad having MTB was a plus.
I ride a Marin Point Reyes which is basically a mountain bike with a carbon fork and street tires. The geometry is basically the same as that of a 29er bike otherwise.
Picked up a Trek 4300 2009, just slapped on Specialized Flak Jackets 1.25's, Sonoma Gel seat and Bontrager Evoke RL Grips. Looking at an upgraded Stem, seatpost and possibly going to 31.8 handlebars
Funny you should ask. About 20 years ago, I already had 3 bikes but they were all lousy for commuting. 2 road bikes and a mountain bike. I decided to build myself a custom commuter.
I bought a mountain bike frame from a shop that someone stripped for parts - $150. Then I coated the inside with linseed oil and left it hanging in the garage for 2 months over the summer until the oil dried - rust proofing - you never know. Then I built up the bike up with older mtn bike components off the Cannondale I ride. I put on drop handlebars from a road bike and bar-end shifters ($80). I wanted to put on road STI brake shifters, but they were too expensive at that time ($500+). For tires, I highly recommend Specialized Fat Boys - the only tires that I know that contain a belt and are rated for 100 psi.
I actually have 2 sets of rims - one with slicks and one with mtn bike tires. I take it off road as well. Lot easier to swap rims rather than tires for bad weather or change of riding venue..
Been riding that bike for over 20 years and it rides fast and precise. I can hop curbs like a mtn bike, yet fly down the road like a road bike. The nice thing is that it looks like some kind of a weird road bike, so the bike thieves haven't bothered me much. Looks even weirder with mtn bike tires.
Can't post a picture though - I have it out for servicing. After 20 years of riding and doing my own maintenance, I figured that I better have a pro go over it and strip it down for an overhaul.
The best commuter is one that you create yourself by adding the features you'd think it should have.
I commute on a Chinese ebay carbon frame mtb. I have 2 wheelsets, 1 for mtn bike rides and for my commutes/road rides I have cheap Nashbar slicks on another wheelset.
"Climbers don't hurt any less than others;
they're just more comfortable being there." - I didn't come up with this
Funny you should ask. About 20 years ago, I already had 3 bikes but they were all lousy for commuting. 2 road bikes and a mountain bike. I decided to build myself a custom commuter.
I bought a mountain bike frame from a shop that someone stripped for parts - $150. Then I coated the inside with linseed oil and left it hanging in the garage for 2 months over the summer until the oil dried - rust proofing - you never know. Then I built up the bike up with older mtn bike components off the Cannondale I ride. I put on drop handlebars from a road bike and bar-end shifters ($80). I wanted to put on road STI brake shifters, but they were too expensive at that time ($500+). For tires, I highly recommend Specialized Fat Boys - the only tires that I know that contain a belt and are rated for 100 psi.
I actually have 2 sets of rims - one with slicks and one with mtn bike tires. I take it off road as well. Lot easier to swap rims rather than tires for bad weather or change of riding venue..
Been riding that bike for over 20 years and it rides fast and precise. I can hop curbs like a mtn bike, yet fly down the road like a road bike. The nice thing is that it looks like some kind of a weird road bike, so the bike thieves haven't bothered me much. Looks even weirder with mtn bike tires.
Can't post a picture though - I have it out for servicing. After 20 years of riding and doing my own maintenance, I figured that I better have a pro go over it and strip it down for an overhaul.
The best commuter is one that you create yourself by adding the features you'd think it should have.
That sounds awesome. I'm getting a full suspension trail bike and I'm excited about turning my xc hardtail into a commuter/urban bike.
I hate 650b because it's not as fun as 26 inch wheels and because it doesn't have the rollover ability of 29 inch wheels.
I have a 1998 Mongoose Switchback (yeah, back before they were totally crappy) that I rode as a MTB for almost 10 years, then after getting a new MTB I relegated the old 'goose to commuting duties. I tore off all the components, welded disc brake tabs on it (it's a steel frame), had it powdercoated, and converted to 700c wheels. It has gone through several component variations, but currently I'm running a single 39t ring in the front and Sram 9-speed (11-34) in the rear.
I ride it to work every day.
Lots and lots of smiles and miles from that old bike.
My Patrol Bike at work... I own this and use it for CSO Bike Patrol. Getting a little rear hub noise, but the bike has been Rock solid since I bought it new in 2003.
I'll have to dig up the pictures, I have a Kona Cinder Cone with a Salsa rigid fork, Soma Clarence bars and a rack and fenders. When the weather is nicer I use my CX bike instead since it's lighter.
2009 Redline Conquest Pro, 2008 Trek Fuel Ex8
2007 Kona Cinder Cone utility bike
Yes I spent too much on bikes.
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Originally Posted by JonathanGennick
Originally Posted by mk9
