CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting

MTB v. Tourer for Commuting

(20 posts)
  • Started 12 years ago by Wilmington's Cow
  • Latest reply from Wilmington's Cow

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  1. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Got the MTB all donned properly with its new rigid fork at the weekend. It's dropped 1.25kg off the front end! Overall the bike is probably slightly lighter than the Kaff (better steel, lighter fork, better/lighter wheels, no guards etc etc). So with a spare Carradice bracket attached, and dry roads, popped onto the MTB for the commute after a relaxed 6 or 7 miles on Saturday.

    Maybe it was the more upright riding position into the hefty headwind. Maybe it was the flat pedals making uphills interesting as I lifted my feet when having to honk. Maybe it was the slightly wider 26" slicks compared to 700s. But by eck that was hard work.

    Oh, and kaputnik, you're right, the bearings in the headset are completely shot - need to get replacement parts (naturally it's a lovely sealed MTB unit and not just replacement cages).

    Posted 12 years ago #

  2. steveo
    Member

    I've noticed that as well, the mtb is muuuch harder work than the roady. In my case the mtb still has bouncy forks and weighs noticeably more plus the tyres are a full inch wider. Add a child seat and its good resistance training.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  3. Instography
    Member

    I was thinking that if I was only going to be doing 6 miles from Barnton to work and back I should make it harder work with a heavier bike or my single speed but instead I just extended the run to 12 miles in the morning and 6 at night.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  4. kaputnik
    Moderator

    @WC - any difference in crank length between the 2 bikes?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  5. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Very good question - I'll measure that tonight.

    Personally I like Insto's solution to getting more of a workout.

    The Soul is still gonna be a great urban bike for weekend trundles with the camera; trips to the shops; and even weekend rides with Mel, given they're a bit slower than my usual ride, and often on off-road paths.

    Best thing I could have done for that bike, means it gets used again.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  6. Smudge
    Member

    @WC, now you just need to fit some drops and bar end shifters, stick on some skinny schwalbe marathons and you'll be getting towards an all terrain tourer ;-)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  7. kaputnik
    Moderator

    I saw a mountain bike on Melville Drive once that had both drops and bar-end horns. Most awful looking bike I ever did have the misfortune to clap eyes on.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  8. Dave
    Member

    Today I came up behind four riders waiting for the lights to change up Ratcliffe Terrace northbound; I overtook them all pulling a recycling box on the trailer :D

    Turned off at the Grange otherwise I'm sure I'd have blown, but it's a fair point - there's not really any point buying an extremely fast bike if you want to get fit (it just means you have to ride further and further for the same benefit).

    Get a drag chute trailer and get fit while going slowly!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  9. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Trailer build is in operation. And tis for the MTB to pull. Not sure I'll be commuting on it though! :-/

    Posted 12 years ago #

  10. Instography
    Member

    Mentally, I find it really difficult to adapt to doing one type of run in a different 'mode' even if I'm on a different bike. I can't commute slowly so I end up hurting my knees trying to maintain the 'right' speed but if I'm pulling the tagalong to the shops or riding with Ewan, I don't have any trouble averaging 8mph. Weird.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  11. crowriver
    Member

    Maybe it was the more upright riding position into the hefty headwind.

    Mostly this I reckon.

    I was on the Pashley Fold-it this morning* which I've adjusted to be a bit sit-up-and-beg. The headwind going up Regent Road was testing my resolve (and my knees) a little: had to go down a gear on the normal for a gradual climb.

    * Makes a nice summer commuter I find. Will break out the AluBike 'bucking bronco' folder with its hub dynamo once the clocks go back...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  12. Nelly
    Member

    "there's not really any point buying an extremely fast bike if you want to get fit"

    Agreed. I am always on a SS in town, and sometimes carry a fair bit of weight in the carradice (not trailer levels, but up to 10kg) and its just an extra workout esp up gradients - really helps your hillclimbing endurance when you next get on a roadbike.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  13. Smudge
    Member

    Rediscovered today why I don't commute on a road bike (apart from a road surface you'd hesitate to drive a landrover over), too many bloomin slow cars getting in the way! ;-)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  14. gembo
    Member

    Really? i left house just after eight, wind behind, no sign of other traffic on road was at work in fifteen minutes on souped up tourer that is the specialized tricross (correct brakes paid for by me). I would still be there if on MTB. wind on way back was stiff

    Posted 12 years ago #

  15. reikimikey
    Member

    Don't want to go off subject but what brakes have you fitted to your tricross?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  16. gembo
    Member

    @reikimikey

    cantis

    these are now on current tricross bikes but mine is an older version which came with v-brakes which solved the even earlier judder issue but were spongier than sponge bob on bath night

    as I say later versions come with correct brakes but specialized not going in for the old mea culpa

    Posted 12 years ago #

  17. Smudge
    Member

    @Gembo, Took my giant ocr in the long commute this morning and it was a pleasant and quick 1hr 45 enjoying the tailwind, tonight however I had a deadline to be home (as well as no desire to slog into a headwind!) so I went from Colinton to Haymarket trying to be quick, it was quick, but having to constantly brake for car drivers who can't plan ahead was a pita! I think the difference is that downhill on the folder I keep pace with traffic, on the roadbike I have to slow for it.
    Not a prob tomorrow anyway as I'll be back on the Brommie :-)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  18. gembo
    Member

    @smudge

    Because you go at a more constant pace on the folder or because it is sit up and beg? Or easier to weave in and out of the traffic?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  19. Smudge
    Member

    Just because the roadbikes comfortable speed is higher than the cars heading into town (it can maintain 30mph downhill, they apparently cannot plan ahead). The folder being slower doesn't suffer the same frustrations (at least in my hands) because maintaining a constant speed seems to save so much needless braking, maybe I jst need to go 5mph slower on the roadbike and relax a bit ;-)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  20. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Well I was on the cross bike this morning, left ten minutes later, arrived around the same time. Less of a headwind of course, but it just felt easier to wind up to speed and maintain it; and going uphill it's clear how much I've got used to pulling up on the pedal as well as pushing down.

    Posted 12 years ago #

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