Originally Posted by
00 negative
I don't do mountain biking, but I do ride in a city with some pot holes, and I'd like to have the option of biking on semi-rough paths. I occasionally ride off curbs as well.
I like handle-brakes, the upright handlebar, and panniers--and maybe a basket would be nice. . . .
I ride an old mountain bike as a general commuter. No offroad stuff, 7000 miles of pavement in the last 2 years. I use a rear basket and regularly carry 30 lbs of groceries or a backpack (in the basket).
It is not as fast as my road bike commuter by about 2 or 3 mph, but it is plenty fast. I put a set of 26x1.75" slicks on it, clipless pedals to speed it up. I'm pretty happy with it. I take the road bike in good weather and wind, since it has aero bars, which are way faster in the wind. I'll keep 18 mph or so on the road bike in a headwind that will slow me to 13-14 mph on the mountain bike. I'm close to the same size as you, an inch shorter and a little heavier.