Hello! I'm looking for a 27.5 mountain bike (or a "hybrid" bike) for commuting in Tokyo (and for occasional gravel trips, but commuting is main purpose).
Surprisingly, I do really need an MTB. The main reason is the necessity to jump on sidewalks (5-7 cm high) frequently for safety reasons getting away from traffic (there are a lot of parked cars on the roads and the only safe way is often just to get away). I had several falls from my Giant and Trek FX2 and understand that I need big tires and a front suspension not to stumble on the steps. The other reason is dealing with vibration (FX2 is rigid like nothing and my arms sore after every drive). I know, that there are lots of means to deal with that, besides suspensions, so the main reason is safe driving - getting on 7 cm steps.
So, my criteria are:
- 27.5 MTB or 700c bike. Not 29 inches MTB as maneuverability is important on Tokyo streets and I feel that 29 MTB is too big. 27.5 seems perfect.
- Front suspension with remote lockout. There are different opinions about RL, but I think I will use it. Tokyo is hilly. To lock it by hand while driving seems to be not safe. I understand, I do not need a rear suspension... though... if this would be the only choice and riding is fun without much compromize to speed I can consider it too.
- Relatively high gear (for cruising at due speed). With my Trek FX2 I have 48 to 11, which makes 34.0 km/h at 60 rpm (this is not my usual speed! just arithmetics) and I would not like too much lower options. As I understand, there is no way to achieve anything near with 1x drivetrains (could not find cranks 44T or higher).
- Big tires (In case of a hybrid bike. MTBs are OK, surely. Not bigger than 2.2(5?), as they will not fit the bicycle parking racks, but there seems to be lots of options with tires, so it is OK. But if it is hybrid, I would like 45 mm or more. Steps are so much steps.).
- Budget - USD2000.
With this kind of limitations (sorry...) I can find nothing((( 27.5 MTB are becoming rear... Forks with remote lockout start exactly with 1x drivetrains... Seems that I am late for several years. After long researches (my bicycle shops nearby started to hate me), I am considering the following options.
1. Bianchi Magma 27.7. I will have to change the fork for remote lockout one, but cannot find one for 27.5...
2. Trek Dual Sport 2. I will have to change the fork (RL version seems to exist) and tires (seems 45 mm will fit. I want bigger ones, but nothing to do...)
3. Buy Bianchi Magma 29, change the crankset to 46-30T and teach myself to ride 29 MTB in narrow and crowded streets.
4. Buy Trek Dual Sport 4 and downgrade the drivetrain to Dual Sport 2 or something, which seems stupid, but stupid are my limitations...
5. Anything else.
Would appreciate your advice. I need 27.5 MTB, fast, with RL fork... That's all I want. Thank you for reading.