Looking for ideas: commuter that doubles as a mountain bike

[stien]

I'd like to get a bike that I can commute on about 17 miles (one way) to work on (read: rack and fenders) but can easily change over to go mountain biking.

I'm thinking rigid, dirt drops, bar end shifters.

What size wheels? Stick wtih 26" or go 650b/700c? I wasn't thrilled by the 29er I rode (kona honzo) so I don't really want a 700c/29er commuter unless I can use two different size wheelsets (unlikely).

Thoughts? Stick with flat bar or get butterfly/trekking bars?

[KonaSS]

I can't imagine why you would want to commute on a 26er. I would think a 29er would be much better. And a Kona Honzo is a all mountain/trail oriented bike. I can understand why you didn't like it. Not sure what level of bike you are looking for but I will open the suggestions with this:

http://surlybikes.com/bikes/ogre

[MRB]

I'm not sure what your budget is, but Bruce Gordon's BLT or BLT Lite seems like a very versatile bike, and a lot of bike for the money. As far as handlebars go, I'd stay away from flat bars, for lack of a variety of hand positions.
take a look at:
http://www.bgcycles.com/blt.html

[n_maher]

Knowing what kind of "mountain biking" you're trying to do would be helpful. The mountain biking I do (lots of rocks, roots, small drops, etc) is not something I'd ever want to do on a full rigid but some do. And the commuting I do (40 mi round trip) is nothing I'd want to do on something with a suspension or that tup of geometry. So I guess what I'm getting at is that unless it's relatively tame mtb'ing I think you might end up with a bike that's ill suited for one if not both of your intended uses.

Best suggestion I've got - Salsa Vaya.

[vqdriver]

i'd go 26 or 650b with an extra wheelset with the tires and rotors already mounted. if rigid, then i think 29er would be the only choice on the trail.

it depends on the terrain of course, but i don't think i'd want to mtb with mustache bars or drops. flats or risers are the way to go.


fenders will be the limiting factor for commuting. not much choice tho i have zip tied full fenders to a suspension fork in the past. worked fine on the road but you gotta take that s off for the trail.

[JAGI410]

I cannot adequately describe my love for my Surly Troll. It's amazing. Commute? Sure! Singletrack? Of course! Gravel epics? Absolutely. It's impossible to get bored with because it can be stripped and reimagined a thousand times. It rides great and does everything I ask of it....yet it's not "too nice" to get locked up downtown.

http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a434/JAGI410/3340F24A-6649-44BF-AF30-FD8D03D5AABA-19363-0000029C3A89C2A9_zpsb78af5de.jpg (http://s1035.photobucket.com/user/JAGI410/media/3340F24A-6649-44BF-AF30-FD8D03D5AABA-19363-0000029C3A89C2A9_zpsb78af5de.jpg.html)

http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a434/JAGI410/CC8DD51B-401C-4298-B5F9-B44DC5D330C2-19363-0000029C68D6AD59_zps356555ec.jpg (http://s1035.photobucket.com/user/JAGI410/media/CC8DD51B-401C-4298-B5F9-B44DC5D330C2-19363-0000029C68D6AD59_zps356555ec.jpg.html)

http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a434/JAGI410/4D96A137-4476-45C9-A4BE-7265FC29DCE3-19363-0000029CB9DAE795_zps4311eeae.jpg (http://s1035.photobucket.com/user/JAGI410/media/4D96A137-4476-45C9-A4BE-7265FC29DCE3-19363-0000029CB9DAE795_zps4311eeae.jpg.html)

Here's the shop blog post about our Trolls: http://paramountsports.blogspot.com/2012/09/troll-fever.html

[Anarchist]

I cannot adequately describe my love for my Surly Troll. It's amazing. Commute? Sure! Singletrack? Of course! Gravel epics? Absolutely. It's impossible to get bored with because it can be stripped and reimagined a thousand times. It rides great and does everything I ask of it....yet it's not "too nice" to get locked up downtown.

http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a434/JAGI410/3340F24A-6649-44BF-AF30-FD8D03D5AABA-19363-0000029C3A89C2A9_zpsb78af5de.jpg (http://s1035.photobucket.com/user/JAGI410/media/3340F24A-6649-44BF-AF30-FD8D03D5AABA-19363-0000029C3A89C2A9_zpsb78af5de.jpg.html)

http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a434/JAGI410/CC8DD51B-401C-4298-B5F9-B44DC5D330C2-19363-0000029C68D6AD59_zps356555ec.jpg (http://s1035.photobucket.com/user/JAGI410/media/CC8DD51B-401C-4298-B5F9-B44DC5D330C2-19363-0000029C68D6AD59_zps356555ec.jpg.html)

http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a434/JAGI410/4D96A137-4476-45C9-A4BE-7265FC29DCE3-19363-0000029CB9DAE795_zps4311eeae.jpg (http://s1035.photobucket.com/user/JAGI410/media/4D96A137-4476-45C9-A4BE-7265FC29DCE3-19363-0000029CB9DAE795_zps4311eeae.jpg.html)

Here's the shop blog post about our Trolls: http://paramountsports.blogspot.com/2012/09/troll-fever.html

These are such nice bikes ...

[weehastogopee]

How about an old specialized rockhopper?

If you look on craigslist, you can find one for really really cheap so you don't needa worry about locking it up!


They can be built pretty cool:

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5026/5661401603_2f088fd1ef_z.jpg

[4Rings6Stars]

That's a pretty long commute. Just get a bike dialed in for the commute, then pick up a cheap 26er to bang around with on the trails. I can't see riding 35 miles a day on a bike I would also take on the trails (without switching bars/brakes/tires).

If you had to compromise and get just one bike, that Surly posted above looks nice. Something rigid with discs so you can just switch out wheelsets when you want to go off road.

[jtakeda]

maybe get a mtb with a fork you can lock out?

not the same as rigid but will help somewhat.

[Javaman]

I had actually toyed with tha same idea and spoke to a custom framebuilder about it for advice; he asked "do you want a commuter that you can use to ride on trails or a mountain bike you can use to commute?" A Salsa Fargo seems ideal if you're not going the custom route.

[palincss]

I'd like to get a bike that I can commute on about 17 miles (one way) to work on (read: rack and fenders) but can easily change over to go mountain biking.

I'm thinking rigid, dirt drops, bar end shifters.



Bruce Gordon's Rock 'n Road Tour fits your bill exactly.
http://www.bgcycles.com/rocknroad.html

http://www.bgcycles.com/images/rocknroad/RockNRoadLg.jpg

[oldpotatoe]

I'd like to get a bike that I can commute on about 17 miles (one way) to work on (read: rack and fenders) but can easily change over to go mountain biking.

I'm thinking rigid, dirt drops, bar end shifters.

What size wheels? Stick wtih 26" or go 650b/700c? I wasn't thrilled by the 29er I rode (kona honzo) so I don't really want a 700c/29er commuter unless I can use two different size wheelsets (unlikely).

Thoughts? Stick with flat bar or get butterfly/trekking bars?

How extensive is the 'mountain biking'? I know more than a few that take their rack and fender cross bike onto some otherwise MTB 'stuff'. Not super technical but dirt, nonetheless..they generally take the fenders off tho.

[FlashUNC]

I cannot adequately describe my love for my Surly Troll. It's amazing. Commute? Sure! Singletrack? Of course! Gravel epics? Absolutely. It's impossible to get bored with because it can be stripped and reimagined a thousand times. It rides great and does everything I ask of it....yet it's not "too nice" to get locked up downtown.

http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a434/JAGI410/3340F24A-6649-44BF-AF30-FD8D03D5AABA-19363-0000029C3A89C2A9_zpsb78af5de.jpg (http://s1035.photobucket.com/user/JAGI410/media/3340F24A-6649-44BF-AF30-FD8D03D5AABA-19363-0000029C3A89C2A9_zpsb78af5de.jpg.html)

http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a434/JAGI410/CC8DD51B-401C-4298-B5F9-B44DC5D330C2-19363-0000029C68D6AD59_zps356555ec.jpg (http://s1035.photobucket.com/user/JAGI410/media/CC8DD51B-401C-4298-B5F9-B44DC5D330C2-19363-0000029C68D6AD59_zps356555ec.jpg.html)

http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a434/JAGI410/4D96A137-4476-45C9-A4BE-7265FC29DCE3-19363-0000029CB9DAE795_zps4311eeae.jpg (http://s1035.photobucket.com/user/JAGI410/media/4D96A137-4476-45C9-A4BE-7265FC29DCE3-19363-0000029CB9DAE795_zps4311eeae.jpg.html)

Here's the shop blog post about our Trolls: http://paramountsports.blogspot.com/2012/09/troll-fever.html

My first thought reading the OP was Surly Troll or Orge. The Orge is a 29er, so might be more friendly to life on the road commuting...

http://surlybikes.com//uploads/bikes/ogre-14_34f_930x390.jpg

[bigreen505]

I have an old Trek 9900 carbon frame that I am thinking of doing exactly this with. It will be fine on a gravel path or smooth single track, and it's fine as a commuter. I might try to fit a skinny 650b on it and add a rigid fork.

What you are seeking is a fine idea, but as others have said, I wouldn't want to commute on a real mountain bike unless you are just looking for some exercise. I have a friend who prepares for Leadvile by riding from his house near Denver to the top of Mt. Evans and back on an freeride bike with knobbies. It is good training, but he doesn't do it for fun.

[josephr]

Knowing what kind of "mountain biking" you're trying to do would be helpful. The mountain biking I do (lots of rocks, roots, small drops, etc) is not something I'd ever want to do on a full rigid but some do. And the commuting I do (40 mi round trip) is nothing I'd want to do on something with a suspension or that tup of geometry. So I guess what I'm getting at is that unless it's relatively tame mtb'ing I think you might end up with a bike that's ill suited for one if not both of your intended uses.

Best suggestion I've got - Salsa Vaya.

I agree with this --- what type of mtn biking are you looking at? I can't imagine using my mtn bike for commuting and couldn't see a bike set up for commuting pulling any major duty for mtn biking (rock gardens, staircase drops, flow trails).

[stien]

Wow, big response here! It looks like I should keep my current hardtail and build up a commuter from a cross frame or something. I think a commuter would have a hard time having the same gearing I need too!


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[RFC]

Unless you want to buy a new bike, I'm firmly in the old rigid MTB camp. There are a number of fascinating threads on other forums about converting MTB's to drop bar.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/828426-Show-Your-Vintage-MTB-Drop-Bar-Conversions

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=94356

And here are mine.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/FisherGG3r.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/RCopple/media/FisherGG3r.jpg.html)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/SRPCanel34r.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/RCopple/media/SRPCanel34r.jpg.html)

[Kirk007]

Singular Gryphon. Search my threads, I've posted photos in Mt. Bike form. Now it is converted to commuter with rear rack, handlebar bag, dynamo front hub with front and rear lights. Upside: It's relatively inexpensive frame - around $500 as I recall, you can build it however you want - it has an EBB so single speed, internal hub or geared are all options and you can spec as upscale or modest as you like, and rides very nice. Downsides: 1. It's heavy (but it is what it is, a HumVee like urban assault bike at this point; build it as a single speed and pay attention to components and you can make it quite a bit lighter) but still rides and handles really well. 2. It lacks front eyelets so you have to get creative with fenders but it can be done. I'm running 2.0 Schwabe Marathons under SKS (I think) 29er fenders and it works very well. (3). Rigid fork is only real option

The Singular Gryphon may be a better choice depending on where you intend to ride; its more a tourer/monster cross design. I like the Gryphon, it is a beast. If I had lots of $$ I'd take this concept, with a few tweaks, and get a Ti frame, something like the custom Moots "Minotaur" that was posted on here last week.

[OldCrank]

Got a decent cross bike, added a set of road wheels.

Zip zip, pop off one set, pop on the other, adjust the brakes, ride.

Of course, I'm no real mountain biker, more of an easy trail troll.