http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Mountain Bike Commute is fun but... en Wed, 13 May 2026 01:57:12 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=968#post-8770 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:57:49 +0000 Min 8770@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I loved commuting on my old MTB. It was somewhere between riding a tank and an armchair. That is the great thing about the cross bike. It successfully combines tank like qualities with going zoom. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=968#post-8765 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:27:53 +0000 steveo 8765@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Aye the brakes on my roady are scary enough with out using the old style callipers...</p> <p>I've definitely noticed how much extra work the mtb is compared to the roady, even with my new light weight mtb which isn't much heavier than the roady its still harder. I suspect if i had got an off roader instead of the racer i'd never have got back into riding in the same way. </p> <p>Next thing i need to do is find out how much those ten year old Nimbus weigh and see if i can get lighter ones, they certainly don't owe me any thing. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=968#post-8764 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:05:36 +0000 chdot 8764@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"I can understand why, when MTBs make up such a large portion of the new bike sales market, people get turned off cycling."</p> <p>Which is why for the past twenty years the 'hybrid' has been seen as 'the answer'. </p> <p>But...</p> <p>Initially they were a mix of 'touring bikes with straight handlebars' or 'mountain bikes without knobblies'. </p> <p>Tyre technology is quite crucial - and difficult - as there are so many (often conflicting) variables - speed, longevity, robustness etc. </p> <p>One of the good things about the 'MTB revolution' was the dispelling of the absolutist myth that 'skinny is best'. </p> <p>Revolving weight is still something to consider, but fatter tyres can run better and be more comfortable. </p> <p>Personal choice, comprise, technology, fashion etc. etc. </p> <p>The 'return' to road bikes has a lot to do with better brakes - particularly the development of dual pivot ones. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=968#post-8763 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:04:39 +0000 Arellcat 8763@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>I wasn't actually much slower, but the effort was much bigger. </em></p> <p>It'll be those Panaracer Fire XC tyres. They're really grippy offroad and in the snow, but on tarmac they weigh a ton! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=968#post-8759 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 09:50:03 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 8759@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Jumping off speed bumps, snappy handling, smoothing out the potholes and cobbles, biiiiiiiiiiiiig skids (though to be fair the Kaff pulls them as well) - all great.</p> <p>But... I always forget how much harder work it is than by road bike. I wasn't actually much slower, but the effort was much bigger. I can understand why, when MTBs make up such a large portion of the new bike sales market, people get turned off cycling. If you're not fit then it's such hard work. I remember Mel having a moment of epiphany when I put big slicks onto her MTB and the first ride after that...</p> <p>(last night discovered a crack in my fixed wheel tyre (Halo Twin Rail Couriers are lovely tyres, but fragile - I'll be changing brand) and rather than put a spare Vittoria Rubino on, changing the pedals over onto the recently serviced MTB seemed much more sensible...) </p>