commuting on a MTB

[liambauckham]

anyone here use a mountain bike to commute? i gave it a punt the other day was enjoyable 12 miles there and 12 back

im currently riding a barracuda showdown, think i bought that in 99 or 98

http://www.8bs.karoo.net/mepics/cycle.jpg

 

[palinurus]

I used MTBs exclusively as commuting machines for maybe 15 years. Use road bikes mostly now. Still have an old MTB (with guards) for the really shitty weather.

 

[liambauckham]

do you find a really big difference in performance between the two?

 

[fossyant]

Yup - every day - standard rigid MTB with Deore LX, but shod with semi-slicks and guards. Does the job for between 15-22 mile round trip (depending on the route).

 

[liambauckham]

i find mine is a little uncomfortable on long journeys or maybe im just not used to it yet. havent done any serious miles in about a year

 

[Tynan]

any bike is good but obviously a better, more suited bike will be better

it's all good though

 

[andyfromotley]

liam. some people will say its against the rules. Those people are c0cks.

 

[liambauckham]

i do enjoy the added grip from the wide tyres allows me to lean around corners

 

[col]

I use one for my commuting,its more sturdy for the bad roads,so less likely to suffer buckled wheels.

Forgot to say i have slicks on it.

 

[longers]

I did 10 miles a day for a year on my wifes rockhopper - didn't want to get my best bike dirty, and didn't want to get my mtb dirty either

I did put slicks on it though.

 

[4F]

I used one for 5 years for my 30 mile a day roundtrip however I found that a road bike is both quicker and more comfortable.

 

[col]

I used one for 5 years for my 30 mile a day roundtrip however I found that a road bike is both quicker and more comfortable.

I agree about quicker,but i find my mb very comfortable,i think its just how you have it,road bikes included,set up?

 

[4F]

I agree about quicker,but i find my mb very comfortable,i think its just how you have it,road bikes included,set up?

I found the additional hand positions available on drop handlebars compared to a flat bar made the big difference.

 

[Keith Oates]

I use a MTB for most of my commutes due to some bad road surfaces etc. (and also to keep the roadie for dry and sunny weekends) and the daily distance at the present time is about 50 Km. I use full knobblies as I think they are a bit more resistant to P*******s and also makes the roadie feel even better when I do ride it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[col]

I found the additional hand positions available on drop handlebars compared to a flat bar made the big difference.

Again i agree,i do sometimes miss the variaty of hand positions,but i have the setup on my bike,purely by a bit of luck i think and not knowhow,feeling very comfortable for me