Using MTB to commute on

[2pies]

Thinking of getting a MTB but would have to ditch my existing commuter (Spec. Tricross) as I don't have enough space to store more than 2 bikes (I also have a road bike which I use for Sunday club runs and the odd sportive ).

I figured I could use both the MTB and the Road Bike to commute on, though probably more the MTB.

Are there any concerns about using a MTB for long rides on the road e.g. would knobbly tires wear out very quickly? Are the groupsets OK for putting in lots of miles? Probably stupid questions, but curious to know. The commute is 14m each way and I do it 3 to 4 days a week.

I'm sure I could put slick tyres on a MTB, but is it really necessary? I'm too bothered about the extra effort I'd have to put in to ride tyres with more rolling resistance. In fact, I expect it would actually make me fitter. Some of my commute is off road anyway and I really struggle to ride through the thick mud even with the 32mm road tyres on my current commuter.

I'd hope to get out on Blue trails (and work my way up to Red) once or twice a month. Hence why I want to get a MTB.

 

[Paul99]

I'm using my 29er for my 10 mile each way commute at the moment and it has Schwalbe Rapid Robs on, so unless you have a route where you are mainly on smooth tarmac, I wouldn't bother with slicks.

I'm sure the groupset will be fine. (Assuming of course it is Shimano or SRAM)

Go for it.

 

[mcshroom]

The groupset will be absolutely fine. It's pretty standard for touring cyclists to use MTB components on our bikes (my horizon has an Alivo drive train).

Look at what gearing the MTB offers you. If it's a two ring chainset with a mid 30s toothed middle ring then you may find you are doing a lot of spinning. 42-11, however is a perfectly acceptable commuting gear IMHO so most triple MTBs should be fine.

Tyres are slow and heavy, and you will wear the middle of the tread down faster than you would off road. OTOH I've been using my MTB for commuting quite a bit recently and the tyres I have on it at the moment (Conti Vapor front and Conti Explorer rear) don't look that worn, so it's not that rapid a deterioration. How about looking at a semi slick for the rear though.

Also knobbly tyres are not as grippy on tarmac, so it's worth being a little careful when cornering. THe ride quality on what pass for roads round here is a definite improvement over skinny road bike tyres though

 

[HorTs]

I used to commute 20 miles a day on a MTB for 4 years, used knobbly tyres until they wore out then semi-slicks after that.

 

[2pies]

Good stuff, I figured there'd be some mixed opinions.

For those that know a little about MTB, can anyone provide pros/cons of the Whyte 629? I'm drawn to it mostly because my LBS sells it. I often shop around online , trying to find the best spec or the keenest prices, but its a small, privately owned shop with guys who have been really helpful servicing all of our family's bikes. While I may get a slightly better bike from different sources, I'd rather give them my money than the typical high-volume sales model of Evans & Wiggle. Its cool thats its a British manufacturer as well.

 

[Mike!]

Can't comment on the whyte but I have recently switched back to commuting on the MTB, I can do almost half of my commute off-road and it's so much more fun than slogging it out with the motorized vehicles. I too have schwalbe rapid robs on and they do the mixed job well. Yes slicks would be faster on the Tarmac but I'd struggle on the off-road sections.

The bigger softer tyres certainly make the ride more comfortable on the pot holes!

 

[buggi]

i think the only difference you'll really find is that it's a bit harder and a bit slower, but more comfortable. and you'll have legs of steel for when you get back on the road bike.

 

[Pale Rider]

If you do commute an MTB you need to watch the tyre sidewalls as much as the tread.

They tend to be softer and thinner to get the tread down on the soft stuff, but don't wear well on hard surfaces.

 

[2pies]

This might be a stupid question, but is 29er the same as 700c? If so, surely I could take the 32mm Marathon Plus tyres off the Tricross and put it on the MTB. Or am I missing something?

 

[vickster]

Are you getting a 26" hardtail MTb or a 29er ?

 

[2pies]

Are you getting a 26" hardtail MTb or a 29er ?

Almost certainly a 29er, as I'm 6'4". Rode a 26" last year and it felt like a childs bike

 

[fossyant]

This might be a stupid question, but is 29er the same as 700c? If so, surely I could take the 32mm Marathon Plus tyres off the Tricross and put it on the MTB. Or am I missing something?

You could indeed fit them