Originally Posted by
Mr. Underbridge
Many people would find them too slow, especially cheaper ones. Heavy, lots of energy-sucking pedal bob, and rolling resistance.
I mean, if you're *never* riding it offroad, it seems like one would get all the problems of a MTB with none of the benefits. Personally, I wouldn't want to ride a lot of road miles on a Boulder. But that's just me. If the OP loves it, more power to him. But I'd bet he'd never look at that Boulder again if he tried riding something that didn't take a significant effort to maintain 15mph on level roads.
As it happens, I am looking to pick up some sort of MTB that would be used substantially for commuting. However, that's because there are routes to work that would take me offroad. Even still, I'll only consider a MTB that has a fork lockout. I also already have a road bike, so the new MTB wouldn't be used for full-time on-road duty, and even still will probably be something of a compromise with skinnier-than-usual tires and a stiffer fork with less travel.
Basically, the typical MTB just doesn't seem like the best tool for the job if all your miles are ridden on roads. But by all means, do it if you like it - you'll certainly get a good workout!
Thanks for your permission!
You might want to look at an older fully rigid MTB for your purposes. It'll probably be lighter than a hardtail with lockout. And for less than $200 for a good one, you really can't go wrong.
I commute on a MTB because I never know when I'll want to venture offroad, and because the streets around here are in such bad repair that they're starting to look like superwide single track. I use 2" studded knobbies in the winter. In the summer I use 1.5 inch slicks at 85 psi, unless I'm planning to do a lot of offroad riding, in which case I'll put a knobby on the front wheel.
I have 2 road bikes that I ride on longer trips into the country, but the MTB is definitely my primary bike. I'm buying a flatbar road bike (aka hybrid) this summer for better speed in the city. My speed on the MTB with slicks is now about 12.6 mph average in the city, with a typical cruising speed of 16 to 18 mph.
I don't know if all this info will help the OP, but I hope it does.
