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Commuting: Mountain Bike or Road Bike

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medi.hash

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I just commuted to work today on my 2012 SJ FSR 29er EVO and it was a lot of fun. :thumbsup: 18.7 miles one way. About 2 hours. I've commuted on road bikes before but, I sold my last road bike a while ago and decided to use my MTB for the first time.

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I liked the riding position and ability to ride over whatever was in front of me. The suspension was nice and plush. Made for a comfortable ride.

I'm going to ride my bike to work a lot more. My dilemma is do I go with a road bike (like the Roubaix or Sirrus) or a Hardtail MTB (like the SJ or Rockhopper)?

If I go with a MTB, it will be a 29er and will obviously be equipped with slick tires.

The Specialized bikes I listed above are just examples and there are a lot more options out there, I know. So, don't lose your minds over that.

Lightweight MTB or Road BIke/Hybrid?
 
#2 ·
A drop bar 29er with a big fat slick tire is my commuter of choice. And any bike is 3.14 times more fun if you build it yourself.

I currently have a rigid 29er with drops, BB7 discs, and 2.35" Schwalbe Big Apples. I have ridden a cyclocross bike, which was fun. I have a singlespeed cyclocross bike now, and that's fun. I have the hardtail mountian bike, which is fun...but there is nothing like bombing around on a rigid, drop bar 29er with big fat slicks. It's like a big squishy cadillac.


But that being said, for an 18 mile one way commute in So-Cal (assuming no dirt options?) I might wind up with something more cyclocrossy, just for the speed factor. I have a dirt road and a singletrack option on my commute, and I like the versitility of the fat-tired 29er.
 
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#4 ·
I've used road bikes for years.

I don't think mountain bikes start to be better than a road bike with the appropriate tires until I have to do extended climbing or descending on singletrack.

I guess if you feel a need to ride up or down multiple stairs or have no finesse about curbs and potholes, a mountain bike has the advantage. But if your route is on the road or a paved bike path and you don't hit a bunch of that stuff along the way, road bikes are a lot more efficient. (Or if you can sneak in some dirt miles, of course.)
 
#5 ·
^^ I have a road bike too, and on the days when I do an 18 mile one-way after work, It's the go-to bike. I love it for the effficiency, but I don't like the harshness. I say 'cyclocrossy' because I'd prefer giving up a little of the effficiency in order to fit a slightly bigger tire for more plushness.

My other disclaimer is that I live on a dirt road and I have a singletrack option on my commute (adds a couple miles)...so beefy and singletrack friendly are usually high on my priority list. The drop bar 29er is awesome for dirt road plushness and singletrack friendliness.
 
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#6 ·
My commuters have typically had 25-32mm tires. For me, 32mm (nominally 27" by 1-1/4" when I've had 'em) are overkill. 25s and 28s seem about right. Although if I never carried a messenger bag or pannier, I'd be happy to ride on 23s, like what my "fun" road bike gets. I was having a lot of fun doing that over the summer with just a change of clothes in my bag, shoes waiting for me at work, and no panniers.
 
#8 ·
I like riding mountain bikes onroad and offroad. I tried road bikes and they were only slightly faster ‎but waaaaay more uncomfortable.‎ Plus, I just can't seem to stay away from the dirt no matter where I go. It's just too tempting.
 
#9 ·
Best of both worlds in my opinion is a cyclocross bike. It can accept tires up to 700x37c which means you can put anything from slicks, to knobbies to studded. I have different wheels for different seasons on my cyclocross.

Here is a pic with non-studded Conti Top Contact Winter IIs:
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With studded Schwalbe Marathons:
Image
 
#11 ·
It really depends what your commute route is like. If you are on the road, going straight for almost the entire time, then something more roadie like would probably be best. If you ride bike paths, dirt trails, MUP's, etc..then something more upright and mountain bike like would be my suggestion. My commuting routes are bike paths for the most part, with some curbs and such, so I ride my rigid 29er. Riding a road bike would be silly on my commute.
 
#12 ·
Both of my commuters are old mtb's converted over. Both aluminum, one rigid and the other with a sweet old Noleen fork. My commute for the past couple of years has been through old cobblestone roads and paths through the woods and my old mtb's serve me well. A road bike would probably be a bit faster but would give me a beating on the cobblestones. With semi-slick knobbies, I can take fun detours on singletrack on the way home. Win!
 
#14 ·
For a commute of that distance, something more along the lines of a cx or "relaxed" road bike (that can accommodate up to a 28-32mm tire) would be my choice. A fully rigid 29er with slicks could also be a contender, as you don't give up too much speed by going that route. Seeing as you already have a full squish MTB, I'd opt for the cx/road bike.

If you want to keep costs within reason, a cx or sport-touring bike with bar-end shifters and reasonable build would be pretty sweet, IMO.

The super popular Surly Crosscheck comes to mind, as does the Masi cx uno (has brifters, though).

Alot depends on your budget.

One that has captured my interest as a potentially great deal is this one, or this one assuming your size is available.
 
#15 ·
I'd go with a road bike of some sort. My longest commute, one way, was 12 miles. Fenders, fatter tires and road gearing made it an easy commute. My commute now is much shorter so I get to choose between my MTB, steel framed road bike, 2 different recumbents and my latest edition, an Xtracycle build.
 
#17 ·
I prefer my mountain bike from November to April for a couple of reasons:

-Disc brakes (from both a performance and rim-wear standpoint)
-Accommodation of large studded tires for snowfall events
-Slightly more upright position in traffic works better with winter clothing
-Flat bar works better with my mirror and pogies.

While all of these things could be accommodated on my cross bike with alterations, it seems like kind of a waste when my mtb is set up that way by default. And on dry roads, I'm looking at travel time differences of maybe one light cycle or 2 minutes on a 20-minute ride.

In the summer I often commute my CX bike with 23C road tires for weeks at a time, unless I'm planning some trail riding on the way home..
 
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#18 ·
All of the above. Like everybody else has already said it depends on the terrain you have to commute. My commute takes as little as 30+ min for 12.5 miles on the road bike or 55 min on my heavy commuter.

I use:
Nice summer days: Road Bike (choice of 2)
Rainy summer days/non-trail sloppy winter days: MTB converted to commuter w/fenders
Winter trail rides: FS MBT
Good weather winter days with bad roads, frost heaves & pot holes: Surly Cross check

If I were you I'd go with a cx bike with your choice of drops or flats.
 
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