Originally Posted by
lego
Not dissing your choice of ride, but as someone who's ridden road bikes in rain and snow for the last five years, why the MTB exactly?
Are there any advantages to using a MTB frame with 26" wheels on the street? Let's see, they are heavy, slow, clumsy, the gearing is all wrong, they are inefficient climbers... And don't even get me started on suspensions, the greatest eaters of effort ever devised by man or beast!
OK, I am dissing your choice, damnit! It seems to me that with good tires and good brakes, any relaxed road frame (touring, cross, etc.) will beat the pants over any MTB frame out there, big or small, when it comes to delivering a scintillating commuter experience. Slap on a straight bar if you must. At least stick to a hybrid with 700c wheels! Please!!!
I'm interested in your reply, though, just mystified...
I have commuted on road and cross bikes extensively, and still prefer my mountain bike for commuting most of the time. I have noticed some of the drawbacks you mention, but found that they only add up to a minute or two on a 18 km commute.
I think you may be painting all mountain bikes with one brush, to say the least.