best MTB for commuting

kali8055

Hello,
I go up stairs/downstairs and come across lots of pot hole and drive a bit through a park on my way to work.
I used to have a cyclocross but i don't really like the forward leaning position and lack of front suspension.
I did like the light weight of it though and being able to have wide tyres...so i am looking for a MTB hardtail now, quite light and with a upward siting position that would be good for commuting mainly.
Any suggestions?

cooldad

Depends how long your commute is.

I use an ancient rigid Kona Hahanna, probably made of gas pipe, but mine is short.

The Rookie

Why not use a wide tyred hybrid with suspension forks, something like the Giant Roam?

kirkee

A Carrera Subway would take a beating on a rough commute. Granted low spec but cheap and definitely have their merits. Theres usualy a good supply on ebay, if you pick one up cheap they're worth the odd upgrade to make them a decent ride. Good for shorter rather than longer commutes though as what they dont give in pleasure they make up for in function! Iv got one and it looks like there's clearance for wide tyres.
CRC have Schwalbe Big Apple in 2.15 so could forego front suss if used big volume tyres.

The Rookie

The subway uses the Carrera MTB frame, it's more a rigid mountain bike than a hybrid really.

kirkee

I agree the Subways definitely an mtb style frame but its got a lower front end than a full on Carrera mtb. The fork isn't suspension corrected, so probably a similar stack height to a CX bike, the axle to crown heights about 400mm, on my 26 wheel version. I like them because I think they are a proper hybrid of an mtb, stacks of tyre clearance and bombproof with a lower road ish geometry. Unless the commute route really requires front suss on a bike Id avoid any front sussed hybrid, its extra added weight and the right tyre choice would handle urban drops and steps anyway.

The Rookie

Good bike yes, very similar Geo to my two 1997 MTB, slightly longer fork (for the tyre clearance) than a 26" road biased (skinnier tyre) Hybrid but as you say, not much. Head angle is around 69 degrees on the latest models, where the Boardman hybrid is 73.

hell27

I used to use an old trek 6000 for commuting, it was very good. As always depends on 3 things, weight, price, strength. Pick 2 .
I'd go for a light XC setup with hydraulic discs and 100mm front fork option. 29 inch wheels will roll nicely, and if you go for an alloy or steel frame, you should be able to fit a rack.
I commute on a carbon CX bike myself and it works well for me.

mr_eddy

Sorry to have to do this but any MTB no matter what is fitted will by definition be worse for commuting than any sort of road bike (be it CX / Touring / Audax etc). The gearing will be low , The wheels will be heavier etc.

Re the position this really comes down to setup - You can have a stretched out MTB or a sit up and beg road bike. Depends on frame size / Stem length etc.

Of course a light hardtail with slicks will do the job but as would a CX bike with a shorter stem stacked up high.

Also worth noting if its for commuting then you may well be parking outside - Note that most scum bag bike thieves look for MTB's as they are easier to shift in the dodgy pubs.

If I was to go MTB then I would go for 2nd hand steel with V brakes - Something like a Dyna-Tech or Kona and I would forget the suspension fork and whack on a rigid Carbon fork coupled with 1.5 slicks then Ergo grips for comfort. It would be trail the worst of the roads because of the steel frame and carbon fork and the V brakes would deter thieves but still give ample stopping power.

mr_eddy

I should add that a MTB will be worse at a given sensible commuter bike price. i.e a £500 hardtail with slicks will be slower and less suited to the commute than a £500 CX or Gravel bike etc. Of course if money was no object then a top end carbon HT with carbon hoops etc would be fast and light but most people do not commute on bikes costing £1000's

cooldad

The OP seemed to lose interest after his one and only post.