Intro and poll: What kind of bike for commute over potholes...
02-16-13, 11:16 AM
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Intro and poll: What kind of bike for commute over potholes...
Hi everyone! I am not new to cycling or to following the forum but I decided it was time to finally register! I am a commuter (4 miles each way mostly on an old 2004 XC mtb) and get in 50K rides over the weekends (newer road bike).
Since I am here...opinion poll: For everyone who lives where there is a ton of rain/snow and a ton of potholes, what are you riding for your commutes? I know all the pros and cons of everything, but I am mostly on a hardtail MTB (sometimes my road bike with 23mm tires) and sometimes feel like switching to a full suspension MTB, sometimes feel like buying a hybrid with a rigid fork, sometimes I feel like just buying some new wheels/tires to shave weight off my current hardtail mtb (it's 32lbs right now).
Bottom line, I am trying to find the best balance between light weight (mostly because I have to pick up the bike and carry it around in my house, carry it into the office or load it in the minivan if my wife picks me up etc...) and best absorption power for the potholes. I don't ever hit the trails anymore in my older age so that is not an issue for me!
Opinions?
Since I am here...opinion poll: For everyone who lives where there is a ton of rain/snow and a ton of potholes, what are you riding for your commutes? I know all the pros and cons of everything, but I am mostly on a hardtail MTB (sometimes my road bike with 23mm tires) and sometimes feel like switching to a full suspension MTB, sometimes feel like buying a hybrid with a rigid fork, sometimes I feel like just buying some new wheels/tires to shave weight off my current hardtail mtb (it's 32lbs right now).
Bottom line, I am trying to find the best balance between light weight (mostly because I have to pick up the bike and carry it around in my house, carry it into the office or load it in the minivan if my wife picks me up etc...) and best absorption power for the potholes. I don't ever hit the trails anymore in my older age so that is not an issue for me!
Opinions?
02-16-13, 12:41 PM
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Pint-Sized Gnar Shredder
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Welcome to Bike Forums!
I wouldn't bother for a full suspension for snow and potholes, unless you plan on getting into trail riding. I'd stick with your hardtail, probably. I used to commute on a hardtail in some nasty conditions. If the hardtail feels slow, maybe think about a CX bike.
I wouldn't bother for a full suspension for snow and potholes, unless you plan on getting into trail riding. I'd stick with your hardtail, probably. I used to commute on a hardtail in some nasty conditions. If the hardtail feels slow, maybe think about a CX bike.
02-16-13, 01:14 PM
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Welcome to Bike Forums from a Texas road rider.
Get some 36 spoke heavy duty wheels.
700 X 28 tires and ride with 80 PSI would work for you.
Get some 36 spoke heavy duty wheels.
700 X 28 tires and ride with 80 PSI would work for you.
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Fred "The Real Fred"
02-16-13, 05:44 PM
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Good ideas...I have been leaning toward putting 700c wheels with CX tires on the old hardtail, but wasn't sure what size would be best. Potholes are a new thing for me since I have done all of my riding in the desert up until a couple of years ago.
02-16-13, 06:45 PM
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Well Stun I can't say anything about snow but I can about potholes we got plenty where i'm at, I ride a diamondback sorrento to work over a old back road it handles good with alittle front suspention!!
02-18-13, 11:35 AM
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Thanks. Out of curiosity, what size tires are you running?
02-19-13, 10:01 AM
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Hey Stun, welcome to bike forum.
I'm voting with Zephyr here. I have a hard tail for my errand running bike. I run 2.1 Velociraptors aired to @45 lbs for street riding. They roll fast and handle bumps potholes and if I feel like cutting through a field its no problem. Plus the posture on a MTB is more upright. I can keep track of traffic and what is going on around me. I like that. Good luck!
I'm voting with Zephyr here. I have a hard tail for my errand running bike. I run 2.1 Velociraptors aired to @45 lbs for street riding. They roll fast and handle bumps potholes and if I feel like cutting through a field its no problem. Plus the posture on a MTB is more upright. I can keep track of traffic and what is going on around me. I like that. Good luck!
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I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
