Originally Posted by
AlmostGreenGuy
I've been fixing up a couple of mid-1990's 26" steel mountain bikes, to use use as commuter/utility bikes. It's been a lot of fun to fix them up. I'm not brave enough to mess with wheel truing and bottom bracket issues yet, but I have recabled one bike and learned how to properly adjust derailers and brakes. I have to admit that I have no idea what gearing makes for a good road-use mountain bike. Does anybody have any good advice on which bike has the more appropriate gearing for a largely flat 15-mile one-way commute, with a couple of short but wicked hills?
The first bike is a Diamondback Topanga. $40.00 off Craigslist.
Chainrings: 22/32/42
Cassette: 7-speed, 11 - 28 teeth
The second bike is a Schwinn Frontier. $25.00 at a garage sale. This bike has come a long way since the picture was taken.
Chainrings: 28/38/48
Cassette: 6-speed, 14 - 28 teeth
Also, is it common to choose a larger framed mountain bike for road use? The Topanga is the size that I'd naturally choose for offroad use. I'd guestimate it to be about an 18" frame. The Schwinn seems to be a bit more comfortable to ride onroad, and is advertised as a 23" bike, but feels more like what I'd expect from a 19 1/2 or 20" frame.
The Schwinn is a
very tall mountain bike, most likely a 23". The Topanga looks like it's around a 20" frame. (Measure them and quit guessing
) The problem with mountain bikes is that they are proportioned differently from road bikes. A 23" mountain bike is proportioned for someone who is 6'3" to 6'6". Which means a longer top tube...as evidenced by the extreme forward position of the saddle and short stem.
I'd go with the one that fits best. If you are around 6' tall that's the 20" bike.
The gears that these bikes have are okay for road riding. The Topanga is a bit low for a top end. I'd replace the outer ring with a 44 or 46. The 46 would be a better choice.