SkyDog75

If I needed one do-it-all bike, it would be a cyclocross bike. I could understand if someone opted for a MTB, though.

I think a lot of people opt for mountain bikes because they think of road bikes as being exclusive to the "spandex crowd" and they find an upright position on a MTB or hybrid to be more comfortable. And, of course, cheap mountain bikes and hybrids are plentiful.

Ghost Ryder

+1

mechBgon

Dunno about your area, but...



Also, from working in the bike industry since the time mountain bikes made their widespread debut, people have always been attracted to the relatively upright riding position, versus the "hunched-over" position they percieve as part of the road-bike experience. They generally like the controls for their user-friendly nature as well. Not many people buy them for the stereotypical mountain-bike image. Just so you know.

I'm guessing your errands don't include, say, hauling 30 pounds of groceries, or towing a child trailer up a steep hill. Low gearing, powerful brakes and decent cargo-carrying options are some of the reasons people might pick a mountain bike.

Lije Baley

Ignominy takes so many forms.

GP 

I was having coffee yesterday morning, reading this thread and saw this guy.



So no, not everybody uses a mountain bike for urban use. Personally, I use a touring/cross bike.

Ghost Ryder

Not in the "OC".
Hauling kids, or groceries call for the Range Rover, or hummer, & they'll never see anything white like that.
I actually find the "road bike position" to be more comfortable for me, I get numb hands on my MTB's real fast.
Low gears are nice for the mountains, but useless in the city IMO, I don't like to spin that hard, & go nowhere.

BTW:
I luv your winter rig!!!
Mine looks like that once the snow falls here.

mechBgon

Bah, just wait until I tilt the Earth's axis some more! Yeah, I have four bikes: road-race, road-sport (with a rear rack, fenders, dynamo light), mountain XC race, and mountain utility-commuter. The mountain utility-commuter is versatile, cheap to maintain, and it's really not THAT slow.

On the original topic, the OP asked whether people wouldn't rather get somewhere faster (using a road bike), but from working at the LBS, my perception is that the urban rider who's not content with a mountain bike's road speed is most likely to switch to a hybrid, which they envision as being more efficient (whether it really is or not).

Ghost Ryder

I'd rather ride my MTB with slick/commuter tires than the "frankenbikes" called hybrids.

BigJeff

I grew up in Irvine, Orange County, CA. I even worked for the city when I got out of college. Then I moved to HB.

The city was founded by a bicyclist and from its beginnings it was designed designed to to bicycle friendly. It is the definition of perfect road bike city, however it is MTB central.

Yes there are lots of road bikes, but most riders in Irvine stick to their neighborhoods or ride the perfectly smooth dedicated trails.

The people on mtb are called "normal", they go into JAX, Performance or REI and buy what they have the most of or what is "extreme" like teir Subaru, or Mini-suv. They don't desire to wear spandex, but they don't mind wearing gym clothing.


What the hell are "cobblestone streets"? Irvine is the land of autobahn quality streets. Imperfection is not allowed.

The HB crowd ride beach cruosers with surf board racks


where the Irvine crowd are more likely to be seen on a 29'er or other keeping-up-with-the-jones mtb/hybbrid/whatever fad


Bike paths in the OC.... yes, they are better than yours.
https://www.octa.net/pdf/bike2010.pdf

Campag4life

This really isn't difficult. A mtb or hybrid is sturdy and can be ridden on a greater variety of surfaces. They are typically more upright and therefore more comfortable to ride for the masses. Cyclists who seek road bikes do so with a purpose...to ride faster. A road bike fit is an aquired taste to ride faster. One you learn to ride a road bike, it can become more comfortable than a mtb...provided you don't ride it on poor road surfaces.
Road bikes tend to be more expensive because more technology goes into making a bike light and strong versus strong and heavy.
I have a Ti 29er I built with flat bar set up with med aggressive geometry and 28c tires I use as an all arounder. Love the bike but for smooth pavement, to me there is no substitute for a road bike.

NYCJohn170

+2

I think a hardtail is nice when you start commuting, you work up to a CX but if you stay with it you'll be on a track bike. I sure can't imagine chaining an expensive bike outside on the street while doing errands.



edit: Gotta figure out how to make pix bigger.