Hi! Been lurking a while and finally decided to post.

I've got a crazy-long commute (about 90 miles RT) that could be done mostly by train if there was some way from the train station to my work. I'd been thinking about getting a hybrid to handle that, but decided to keep saving for a tri bike, instead. But while I was perusing Craigslist recently I discovered an older (about 1993, I think) Hardrock MTB that was available super-cheap, and I just couldn't resist. I'm no closer to a race bike, but I'm having a great time with my new commuter:



The bike itself was in GREAT shape for its age--I really only had to swap out the seat, tires, and pedals, add the rack/panniers, and then make a few drivetrain adjustments. Everything there is stock, and the gearing is perfect for my very-hilly neighborhood. The next addition will be a pair of fenders (recommendations would be appreciated) and then I need to address the handlebars; maybe new grips (these are splitting), or maybe I add bar ends, or something--I'll know better after I've been able to ride it more. Meanwhile, I put the bike through its paces yesterday back and forth to work, and after riding road bikes exclusively for the past 20 years or so I'm re-discovering how much fun it is to be able to ride through dirt and jump off a couple low curbs. :-)