Mountain Biking - getaway bike from street action?

Just thought Id ask you mountain bikers what kind of bike would be good to ride on the street and at times take off the pavement just to get out of trafic at times when the drivers just get too weird. Something that could hop curbs and do sidewalks a bit but still roll good on the road? Is that asking too much? Thought maybe that Cannondale Scaple maybe, but know nothing about it or any othe mountain bikes, just ride road. Anyone?

Hmmm...when I think about doing what you describe, I think one bike: Redline Monocog.

It's a singlespeed, which means climbing hills isn't the easiest nor is sustained speed especially high, and its long chainstays make pure urban riding hard, but it's really quite fun. It's amazing the difference you feel in acceleration on a rigid single-speed, plus you feel more connected to the road. And, it's beefy enough to handle a variety of trails. Admittably, it's a bit spendy given its simplicity, $400 for the steel-framed version, but the parts are good and it's pretty light. It's a very efficient peddlar so short to medium road rides are fine, as well. I may very well have to own one someday, instead of borrowing.

It might not be for everyone, but it's something to look at.

Just thought Id ask you mountain bikers what kind of bike would be good to ride on the street and at times take off the pavement just to get out of trafic at times when the drivers just get too weird. Something that could hop curbs and do sidewalks a bit but still roll good on the road? Is that asking too much? Thought maybe that Cannondale Scaple maybe, but know nothing about it or any othe mountain bikes, just ride road. Anyone?

Not so much the bike as the way it is setup, or the parts fitted. I often do road rides on the Mountain bike, as I don't have a road bike. All I do is change to slicks. Mind you, The bike is set up for XC, so it doesn't have long travel forks and is a hardtail. If you want street and Offroad, then you could try semislicks, or even a narrow tyre such as a Conti cross countyr in 1.5. Problem is, it won't excell at either

Sounds to me like you could use a good either singlespeed mtb or an internal gear on an mtb frame - decent 1-1.5" slicks or semi slicks -- rigid, maybe flared drop bars like those for cross? That'll let you tool around with the coffins but still hop up and down the curbs and into the dirt a bit if need be. Urban riding, right? I mean, I commute from Somerville to Cambridge daily on a single speed upright with 23mm 700c tires and I hop curbs and hit some dirt sometimes, so... yeah. I can't wait until I'm done though with my 26" commuter - I think the thicker tires will be nice.

I've got semi-slicks on my mountain bike and the difference between them and knobbies in smoothness is amazing on the road. Try it.

The only "urban" mountain bikes I've heard of are the "Bad Boy" models from Cannondale...you could check them out but I recommend just fitting your bike with slicks or semi-slicks.

The Cannondale Scalpel is a very high-end cross-country full-suspension bike. Unless you're really loaded, I definitely would not recommend buying it for just the street. A good "urban" bike would probably be a rigid hardtail.

My friend has an old Gary Fisher Marlin with a rigid fork (before they came with front-suspension forks). It's great on the road.

If you already have a mountain bike, just put semi-slicks on.

Pretty much any rigid hardtail with slicks or semi-slicks will do. A fork with a lockout can help with climbing on tarmac, or a rigid fork.

If you want a ready specced machine more and more manufacturers are doing urban mtb's - over here Scott do a couple of nice models, and I think Marin have just produced one, the Cannondale Badboy is one of the most popular.

Rear suspension isn't a lot of use unless you plan to go off-road on fairly technical trails a lot.

I've got semi-slicks on my mountain bike and the difference between them and knobbies in smoothness is amazing on the road. Try it.

The only "urban" mountain bikes I've heard of are the "Bad Boy" models from Cannondale...you could check them out but I recommend just fitting your bike with slicks or semi-slicks.

The Cannondale Scalpel is a very high-end cross-country full-suspension bike. Unless you're really loaded, I definitely would not recommend buying it for just the street. A good "urban" bike would probably be a rigid hardtail.

My friend has an old Gary Fisher Marlin with a rigid fork (before they came with front-suspension forks). It's great on the road.

If you already have a mountain bike, just put semi-slicks on.

Yes, the bad boy is a good option. You can switch out the slicks for knobbies, and the Bad Boy ultra has a an adjustable headshock, and disk brakes!! The Bad Boy 1FG( One F***ing Gear) is good for singlespeeders.

Since you presumably spend most of your time riding a road bike you might be better off with a durable road frame with strong rims and fairly wide tyres.

You don't need to go as far as a mtb to hop curbs and ride gentle off-road.

It's all about the setup. Most retail "commuter" bikes come with crap you don't need so it makes sense to buy something cheap or used and give it some component transplants. First, if you buy a 26" bike, tires are the key. Michelin City 1.25" front and a 1.5-1.75" semi-slick rear is a good combo. Secondly, if this bike is mainly a commuter, all you really need is just one ring in the front (get Problem Solvers single ring bolts ~$7). Later on you can make it a single speed if you want to shave more weight.
Third and final thing you could do is ditch the suspension fork and go rigid. I know that sounds painful but if you don't need a shock, the sharp drop in weight and increase in power transfer are clear advantages of rigid forks.

A lightweight cx style bike, with light forks, or even quality ridgid forks. Fitted with 1.5" slicks, you can roll fast, and still take some ruff stuff.
Give some though to a cyclo cross bike. With 700cx32mm, again you can mix it on streets or trails.