Mountain Biking - Question from a road cyclist: Does the mtb I'm picturing exist?

Hi everybody. I'm in a kind of cycling no-man's land right now and looking for advice. I come from a mtb background in that I didn't own a car for a long time, just a hard tail mountain bike. So I went everywhere on it and also did some moderately difficult trails for fun when I could. I was real comfortable on that bike.

So I moved to the city where there are no trails and took up running, hurt my knees, picked up road cycling.

However, for the life of me I cannot get comfortable on the small tires. I ride on some really crappy road shoulders with gravel and glass and used condoms and rocks and dog **** and I always feel like I'm going to fall over either running over this stuff or trying to avoid it.

Also, in the attempt not to die when drivers try to murder me on the road, I occasionally have to take some kind of evasive maneuver, like stopping on a dime or jumping a curb. It's just not the same with a road bike and I think its because I cut my teeth on a mountain bike. Who knows. All I know is this. I'm keeping my road bike, but I'm looking for something a little more utilitarian for heavy traffic days.

So here is what I'm looking for: A flat-bar bike with traditional geometry (flat top tube), 29 inch wheels (700c) that can accommodate wider tires. Also disc brakes would be nice.

I know what you are thinking- get a cyclocross bike and switch out the handle, brakes, and shifters. I might one day, but it is expensive and not many cross bikes have disc brakes.

So, since I don't know anything about mountain bikes anymore. Does anyone know of a mountain bike that fits the above description? I know that traditional geometry usually sucks for actual mountain biking because you would always be hitting your balls on the top tube, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask.

Any ideas are appreciated.

The bike you're looking for is called a hybrid. They've been around since the 90's. You can even use a regular mtn bike with discs and have 700C wheels built on mtn bike hubs [which is what I did]. Further, many companies make this sort of bike. Kona has three right here. (http://konaworld.com/09_asphalt_en.htm)

The bike you're looking for is called a hybrid. They've been around since the 90's. You can even use a regular mtn bike with discs and have 700C wheels built on mtn bike hubs [which is what I did]. Further, many companies make this sort of bike. Kona has three right here. (http://konaworld.com/09_asphalt_en.htm)

Hey I appreciate the response. Those Kona bikes are no good for me, unfortunately. The top tube slopes down way too much. Also, I need a little bit of drop from seat to bar, which hybrids don't offer. I think I'm just being complicated. What I need to do is go learn how to build a bike. Thanks though for the input.

Oh wow, there are so many options out there in the 29'er category. Redline Monocog, GT Peace, Motobecane Outcast (this is what I ride - the review is here: http://smhooligans.blogspot.com/2009/01/review-motobecane-outcast-29er.html )

If you want to build a bike, you can start with a Surly Karate Monkey, too. The latest edition of Mountain Bike Action has a good buyers guide for 29'ers (both geared and SS). Throw on some 700c commuter tires, and you're good to go.

Trek Hybrids

REI Safari
Surly Long Haul Trucker
Salsa Fargo
Salsa La Cruz

I'd check out a Rockhopper 29'er and strip it down to a 1x9. Then get some semi-slicks or some Kenda Smallblock 8's for that sukka!

urban hybrids

novara big buzz
cannondale bad boy, bad boy disc, and bad boy ultra
cannondale quick series
k2 astral for the cheep end

or any 29er, every company has got at least one, you can even get a 26"?mtn bike and put on 700c wheels assuming its a disc bike, the cannondale bad boy ultra is actually the same frame as the f4 but with 700c wheels and a bigger crankset (and diff components of course)

i'm sure there are a hundred more bikes out there like these that i don't know off the top of my head

you will have a hard time finding old school top tube geometry, most everything thats not a road bike (and many road bikes) has a slight slope to the top tube but not as extreme as comfort hybrids

Why do you care if the top tube slopes? For what you want to do with the bike, the slope of that tube is pretty much irrelevant to the bike's performance. Rejecting a bike for that reason is rather like rejecting one for its color.

^^I know, I know, but I can't help it. I really can't. All good suggestions so far. Thanks to all for the help!

I think you're looking for what some bike manufacturers call a "performance hybrid". The big manufacturers have lots of bikes and these types of bikes get laced under 'asphalt', 'commuting', 'recreation' and various other sections. It's just a question of looking for what fits your budget.

That being said, I think there are a few CX bikes that have disc tabs on them.

get der pugsley with 4.0 endomorphs. the tire diameter is the biggest. bigger than any 29'er, bigger than any road bike.

u want big wheels u get pugsley.


anyhow, get a 29'er MTB, and 2.3's that is pretty decent

I think you're looking for what some bike manufacturers call a "performance hybrid". The big manufacturers have lots of bikes and these types of bikes get laced under 'asphalt', 'commuting', 'recreation' and various other sections. It's just a question of looking for what fits your budget.

That being said, I think there are a few CX bikes that have disc tabs on them.

I think what the OP is looking for is a reason to spend money. Suck it up and ride over the condoms, you pansy.

You are so correct.

You are so correct.

Typically, I am. In the cases I am not, I'm pretty damn close.

^^And by 'close' you mean 'incorrect?'

Sounds like maybe a flat-bar commuter like the Specialized Sirrus might be close at least - - except that there is no disc-compatibility; darn. But the rest of it fills the bill nicely.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=39273&eid=121

That's a pretty good idea minus the skinny tire clearance it probably has. And they actually do have a disc model:

http://www.bikepedia.com/Quickbike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2005&Brand=Specialized&Model=Sirrus+Sport+Disc&Type=bike

If you'd be willing to just get a bike with a sloping top tube (like everyone else), you would have so many more options.

^^I know, but I told you, I just can't help it.

check out the Specialized Globe San Francisco.

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/coda/09_codaelite.html

Too much TT slope?

Typically, I am. In the cases I am not, I'm pretty damn close.

Wow.......just....well..........you know.

One only has to look at his sig line...

Just get a cross bike dufus.

Wow......some great advice being dished out around here....

^^And by 'close' you mean 'incorrect?'

It's a matter of opinion, really. And my opinion is that I am correct.

Just get a cross bike dufus.

Yeah I know. As soon as I can find a 52cm Poprad I'll pick it up.

Yeah I know. As soon as I can find a 52cm Poprad I'll pick it up.

$1649 USD to get a horizontal top tube. :rolleyes: At least you're doing something to stimulate the economy...

http://www.orbea-usa.com/fly.aspx?layout=bikes&pid=167&taxid=74

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/09/cusa/model-8BS.html

Hows the van going BFG? No new dents I trust? Damm that ORBEA is pretty, did you look for that or did you know the model already?

Hows the van going BFG? No new dents I trust? Damm that ORBEA is pretty, did you look for that or did you know the model already?

Knew it already thanks to tony at bike force having one in the other day. He pretty much had to tell me to get out, i sat the drooling at it for so long.

Well, i went on a riding/camping weekend to dwellingup for the Huck to flat.com xmas ride....didn't put the handbrake on and it rolled away and hit a sign...that said "Parking Here". Atleast it was on a riding trip.

PS, reg at hucktoflat.com

The Orbea comes with disc brakes as well.

By the way, I gave up on my search and went to go get a different road bike. Turns out I was badly fitted for my first bike, and I mean badly. It was WAY too big for me. So the test ride was like a whole new eye-opener for me. It's going to be a great spring.

You could try the trek urban bikes ranging from the valencia, allant, soho, or district. Fisher line also has the fast city series which is also quite nice. Also might want to check out the dual sport bikes that are new from fisher.