Low end hardtail MTBs seem to be the SUVs of commuter bikes

"Spanfeller is a twat" (theaspiringengineer) 04/25/2018 at 17:48 • Filed to: None

0

26

“ Oh you have a cheap hardtail to commute....how cute”

-All serious cyclists I know

“My rims are more expensive than your bike, pleev.”

I was happily riding when I saw someone in a folding bike and thought... What if I’m not that extreme and this bike is absolute overkill?

Dog for time:

benjrblant > Spanfeller is a twat 04/25/2018 at 17:55

4

I’m of the opinion that hardtail MTBs make for poor commuting bikes. Heavy and wide rubber at low pressure makes for a ton of rolling resistance and a fork sucks up a good chunk of the power you physically output. Probably the only worse commuters would be a full-suspension bike followed by a fatbike as the most inefficient.

You don’t necessarily need an expensive bike, but having the best one for the job makes a difference.

SmugAardvark > Spanfeller is a twat 04/25/2018 at 17:59

2

I always figured that they’re everywhere because they are usually the cheapest bikes for sale at Wal-Mart, Target, K-Mart (that’s still a thing, right?), and Sears.

They’re cheap because they utilize heavy-but-affordable steel for the frames, only have half of a suspension, and are built to take a beating. But yes, they’re awful commuter bikes. At least save up another $200 or so and buy a cheap hybrid bike.

Spanfeller is a twat > benjrblant 04/25/2018 at 18:00

0

When I bought it I was really scared of bumps, thus rockshox.... Big frame for posture, and good brakes for for emergencies.

But I think it’s what SUV owners think too... Im thinking about changing it to wide slicks.

Spanfeller is a twat > SmugAardvark 04/25/2018 at 18:02

1

Hey, these are more imposing and that matters! Some say....

I agree... I think I bought using SUV logic

promoted by the color red > benjrblant 04/25/2018 at 18:07

2

I’ve always argued that a ‘90s hard-tail is a decent cheap commuter. $50 to buy a tired example, $100 on some 1.5" grooved slicks, and some wrenching gets you a hybrid bike at half the cost. Bonus points if you have a rigid fork or lockout.

benjrblant > Spanfeller is a twat 04/25/2018 at 18:07

2

I’ve had a 29er MTB with Michelin City 700x52 tires. It was a beast of a commuter. Presently I’ve got a flatbar road bike with 700x32 tires and a Shimano 105 groupset.

benjrblant > promoted by the color red 04/25/2018 at 18:08

1

I think the rigid fork is key. You can always fit something like a Surly fork as well.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Spanfeller is a twat 04/25/2018 at 18:08

2

I don’t race anymore so I don’t ride race spec wheels. Nice carbon wheels are typically $2000 or more. I’m glad I don’t race anymore. The last set of “nice” wheel I bought were about $600, they were alloy rims with ceramic bearing hubs. Those $600 wheels would be considered training wheels by today’s standards.

Current hard tail, getting changing out with a Stump Jumper as we speak due to brake line leaking inside the carbon frame.

Previous Hard tail, sold it to my mom’s BF for $700. It was a sweet bike.

Spanfeller is a twat > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 04/25/2018 at 18:09

0

My entire bike was 500 euros... See where I’m comming from?

Spanfeller is a twat > benjrblant 04/25/2018 at 18:10

0

I had the suspension in the “hard” position and I almost dieded... This city doesn’t have nice roads.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Spanfeller is a twat 04/25/2018 at 18:11

2

How cute.

Spanfeller is a twat > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 04/25/2018 at 18:11

0

Yah, but I’ll be the first to admit it’s not a serious bike

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Spanfeller is a twat 04/25/2018 at 18:14

1

I think a low end mtb is a solid commuter for the city. You can beat the shit out of it and lock it up outside without to much worry.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Spanfeller is a twat 04/25/2018 at 18:16

0

There must be trek/specialized/cannondale/Giant/Scott etc... dealers in Mexico City, if you ever wanted to go up scale.

Spanfeller is a twat > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 04/25/2018 at 18:16

0

Oh, yeah... Plus muggers here only look for Specialized and Trek.

Even then only high end models... Thank god the internet!

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > benjrblant 04/25/2018 at 18:17

0

I think getting rid of the front shock and getting some lower rolling resistance tires makes a hardtail into a great commuter. I have a 90's Trek aluminum MTB frame that I found on eBay and built up with a rigid steel fork, single-speed conversion kit and 26x2.1 Continental Town and Country tires that I kept at around 50 psi. The whole thing cost about $200. I used it as a commuter throughout grad school from ‘06-08. It was great because it was decently comfortable and light enough but it was rugged as hell and I could just ride over anything and park it anywhere with no F’s given.

Spanfeller is a twat > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 04/25/2018 at 18:18

0

I’d probably buy a Santa Cruz and use it like... 5 times a year out of fear.

I love those...

Another option is building a bike with mid/high end trek frame

S65 > Spanfeller is a twat 04/25/2018 at 18:35

1

I like my 90s hardtail let me live.

Spoon II > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 04/25/2018 at 19:43

0

That’s what I used to use for getting around. It’s great because you can take the road or hop the curb into some trails. Opens up some options!

His Stigness > benjrblant 04/25/2018 at 19:44

0

As I’ve only done road bikes I could never even consider doing 32's on my bike. I think went up to 25 on the rear, but that’s as far as I would go.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Spanfeller is a twat 04/25/2018 at 19:46

1

It’s probably overkill.

This was my commuter until it was replaced by a used Niner RLT9. My commute often included dirt roads and some flat but rough single track and it was fine. $50 Giant Cypress frame, 700c wheels running 38 mm gravel tyres and a CX fork from an old Scott CX bike I once owned.

I’m now rebuilding it as a shopping and adventure bike while the Niner goes more gravel/road endurance with a 2x10 driveline from Genevalle. Some of the Niner transmission will roll into the Giant

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 04/25/2018 at 23:34

0

You getting one of the new ‘19 Stumpjumpers?

Also, super jealous you can put 2 bottles inside your frame.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 04/25/2018 at 23:47

0

No not that lucky, it’s a 2018 frame with a new Rock Shox yari fork. I’m going to miss the second bottle holder, but it still has the SWAT hole in the downtube.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 04/26/2018 at 00:11

1

Still a pretty sweet bike though.

So were they concerned about the integrity of the carbon...is DOT fluid corrosive? Or were you just itching for an upgrade?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 04/26/2018 at 00:29

1

Yes DOT fluid is extremely corrosive to certain plastics and it was leaking in the frame for 10 months! When I found the leak it had filled up the left chainstay. It stripped the paint off the frame in that area. I didn’t trust the bike after that and neither did the shop. It was my luck there are currently no XL Fuse carbon frames available so they gave me an upgrade, for free!

thejustache > Spanfeller is a twat 04/26/2018 at 12:15

0

I really haven’t ridden bikes with any seriousness in some years now, but there is a part of me that likes making do with the subpar stuff I have.

My first MTB was an aluminum frame Mongoose (yeah mongoose) but at least better than walmart spec, with Rock Shock Jetts. I wore out the drivetrain then put about $400 in bike nashbar parts in it then wore it out again before finally getting rid of it. Heavy and slow but as a teenager it got the job done.

3 years ago I wanted to try my hand a triathlons, so I bought a late ‘80s Raleigh Technium road bike. I didn’t set any records, but I have put a good amount of miles on it and placed higher in biking than I did in swimming or running. I got a lot of joy out of passing people on much nicer bikes while shifting on downtube shifters. I got probably the biggest glare out of the guy I passed on a climb with a full carbon bike and full aero suit... I held him off for the rest of the race too.

In short, having a killer bike makes a huge difference. Riding the snot out of the gear you have might just be better though... that said I really do want a nice MTB now and an upgraded road bike in the future