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| *Vultures Knob>>>Mountain Bike |
Question for cyclists? |
I have recently started to cycle to work, its about 8 miles, mostly on road, and I have a claud butler zagato mountain back with no suspension, I am thinking of getting a new bike, is there any disadvantages to using a mountain bike on road terrain? any recomendations as to what I should get, havent got a huge budget, about 400 squids? I do the same thing, even though I have a good road bike in addition to the MTB. The heavier tires on the MTB are less likely to flat, and if you're forced off the road by traffic, a happy ending is more likely. Also, since you're only going 8 miles, you get a better workout on the heavier bike. They don't give medals on training days, so speed isn't all that important. You do not need suspension! Consider replacing your Off-road tyres with Street Slicks,they ride faster and makes pedalling easier.(You may need to change your gear ratios when changing to this type of tyre). Suspension is heavy! A Gimmick for Normal road riding! And is only truly designed for down hill racing! The main disadvantage of mountain bike is the weight. It will slow you down on the hills. I prefer a road bike. They're lighter and faster. Check with your local bike shop and see what they have in your price range. They can help you decide what's best for you. The main disadvantages (on the road) of (most) mountain bikes are , Weight, rolling resistance of fat tyres (road tyres help), and handling on corners. Suspension just adds more weight and rear suspension absorbs some of your pedal power. Is your round trip 8 or 16 miles? if its 16 I would consider a racer or tourer as this will be quicker and require a lot less effort, and is also a little more manoeuvrable in traffic. Whatever you choose, remember to wear some bright (or reflective) clothing the more visible you are the safer you are. In my opinion go for a hybrid bike, one that resembles more a racer than a mountain bike, or a city bike. You do not need suspension, fat knobby tires, and all the weight. You are better off with crud guards, slicker tyres, and a lighter bike. You will get more quality and comfort for your money. The 400 can get you a good hybrid or city bike to do the job. If you are going to use a mountain bike for commuting you will have to adapt many things to make it comfortable on the road, or just pay the inconveniences of using one to commute. I would not use a road bike on a MTB track, and would not use a MTB to commute mile every day, if I have a option. Good luck to you while commuting on a bike, a great choice! There's a reason for having mountain bikes and road bikes as two separate products. A mountain bike will do you just fine on road, assuming you have road-friendly (slick or semi-slick) tyres, and the sadddle raised up, and 8 miles isn't so far. In fact in about 10 minutes I'm gonna ride 7.5 miles on my mountain bike! However, a road bike is built with road use in mind, with lower weight, and skinnier tyres (which offer less rolling resistance) - I use DMR Moto tyres, a RT on the back (which rolls nice and fast) and a Digger on the front, for when i get off the road. You don't need suspension for a road commute (hence touring and road bikes generally don't have any) but a shock fork will be a good investment IF you intend to use the bike at all off road. Even light stuff like gravel tracks and canal towpaths benefit from a spring up front. Just ignore full suspension bikes, you don't need one of them, and you'll look silly on the roads anyway. for road bikes you don't really need suspension it is all about the aerodinamics that cut the wind so you can glide with no wind to hold you back and thats why their tires are so thin and also alot less friction. mountain bikes are big a bulky that are slowed down by wind but worst of all the tires are wider so their is alot of frriction slowing you down. |
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