Thread: Mountain bike for commuting?
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Old 05-23-07 | 06:38 PM
  #54  
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Raiyn
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: St. Petersburg, FL

Bikes: 2003 Specialized Rockhopper FSR Comp, 1999 Specialized Hardrock Comp FS, 1971 Schwinn Varsity

Originally Posted by Barabaika
I suspect that most children and many women don't know how and why change gears in the derailleur bikes. The easier to change the gears the better.
My girlfriend would kick your ass if you said that to her. (I'd sit back and laugh)
Originally Posted by Barabaika
I liked the coaster brake when I rode in the childhood, it was very intuitive. I didn't understand why more expensive bikes didn't have it.
Because a brake with no modulation is worse than no brakes at all. Coaster brakes are great if you want to have skid competitions with the neighborhood kids, but not riding in traffic.
Originally Posted by Barabaika

When you commute in the hills, you don't accelerate in the streets going downhill (it's too dangerous), you brake to slow down.
Too dangerous? Compared to what? (Don't make the mistake thinking I've only ridden in Florida either) Downhill braking is much easier and safer with hand brakes as opposed to the prone to skidding coaster brake especially since the weight will be concentrated on the front (downhill) wheel.

As for your comment on having three brakes, why on Earth would anyone who had the option of having modern handbrakes opt to have a brake that makes it hard to get started from a traffic signal since there's no easy way to rotate the pedals to a good starting position. A brake that more often than not causes skidding, resulting in excessive tire wear. A brake that when it fails (usually the result of chain breakage or derailment) fails suddenly and completely.

One other key point about riding coaster brakes in hills, they have this nasty habit of overheating and vaporizing the grease in the hub. http://www.mtnbikehalloffame.com/history.cfm?page=3
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