Let me present a different perspective...



Jacked up Blazers are used for commuting. They're used for quick errands. They're used for trips. They're used for trail-blazing, and jumps. They are used for the casual recreational Sunday drive. They are used for utilitarian purposes. They are used for cross country events. They are used in racing. They traverse all terrains, without any difficulty. There are places that a jacked up truck can go that neither the family sedan or luxury car, would dare enter.

Doesn't make much sense, right? How often are many of us driving or riding over rocks that would really require a jacked up truck or a MTB?

I'm not discounting those of you who use MTBs for commuting. But, really, in their stock forms they aren't best suited for the task. I'm betting that most people who seriously intend to commute via MTB remove the knobby tires in favor of slicks or near-slicks, which takes away a lot of the offroad capability and versatility they initially have.

I would like to note however that one big exception would be for winter cycling in some areas, when we're talking about serious obstructions. During that time those knobby tires will help, and many people in those states often switch over to a 4WD/AWD vehicle as well. If I had to commute in places where the snow got thick, I'd want a MTB with seriously knobby tires and gears to get through anything. No questions asked.

Fortunately I live in an area that gets very little snow, and what we do get never sticks to the road. So I don't really need such a bike, much like I don't need a 4WD or AWD vehicle.

I've come from MTBs previously and found them to require more effort in general. Getting on a road bike for the first time was a 'whoa' moment. It almost pedaled itself.
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