New Commuting Bike
 

Hey, I am looking for a new bike for my commute to work. I used to ride a Giant Boulder SE 2007 and I loved it. I only have a daily commute of 5 miles but I very often go out and ride on my local paved trails and usually ride at least 20 miles. I live in a VERY hilly area but I usually do not leave my fastest gear and anything lower feels way way too easy/slow. I jump(slam) into curbs daily and (I think) my rear wheel takes a-lot of damage but I have never had a flat due to that. I am not sure if that is because of the bike or that I am underestimating the durability of my tubes. My budget is $200-$300 and what ever bike I get I am switching the stock tires to Continental Tour Ride 1.75 and I already have some Crank Brothers 5050 pedals also I am going to be using. I am looking a mountain bikes because I do not have a-lot of money and I want to spend as little on maintenance as possible.

TLDR:
Need new bike
$200-300 ish
5 mi commute
20 mi recreational

The bikes that I currently have my eye one are:

Nashbar AT1 Mountain Bike
Nashbar AT2 Mountain Bike <Favorite
Diamondback Sorrento Hard Tail Mountain Bike

Out of those you listed, I'd say the AT2 is the one I'd take.

The AT1 has a "slower" cassette with its outermost cog having 13 teeth compared to 11 on the AT2. That difference is 84 compared to 99 gear inches. You seem like a strong rider who likes riding fast and in the hardest possible gear combination, so you will surely feel the 15 gear inch difference is setting you back a bit.

The Diamondback has 27.5'' wheels. While there could be nothing wrong with them, larger wheels are generally speaking less durable and since you like hitting and jumping across curbs, etc., I'd say the 26'' wheels would be better suited to this activity and less prone to damage. Also, this bike seems to have the slowest fast gear out of all three, measured in gear inches. I seem to obtain a number less than 80.

Ok great I am glad I was in the right direction. Thanks for the info. Just ordered it, can't wait till it gets here.