One bike for everything? Commuting, Exercise, MTB/Gravel. Reality or Myth

[PedalUma]

 

[Art Deco]

A good reason to carry a battery driven chain saw with you.

One time I had to drive during a "silver thaw" aka freezing rain. The ice built up to the point where branches were crashing off trees, and trees coming down on the road. Every guy who drove up in a pickup truck jumped out and grabbed his (gasoline) chain saw. But with the cold and damp air, nobody could get their saws running. Hence, the battery powered saw.

Not electric but @6zfshdb carries a good folding manual saw on his bike. I bought the same saw for my van. A new "never leave home without it " tool.

 

[mclewis1]

View attachment 116340

Wouldn't this work better if the saw was pointing forwards? Sort of a self clearing ebike for the deep woods.

 

[mschwett]

I have been thinking is there one bike that can do everything. Commuting, fitness, light MTB/gravel. I am intrigued by the Trek Powerfly FS9 Equipped as a one bike to do all things. Seems like this bike has good capabilities to do the kind of riding I enjoy. For those of you that have this bike or one like it does it compromise too much on the road or dirt (jack of all trades, master of none) where you miss having 2 bikes? I am getting older everyday and my aversion to crashing on MTB rides has turned into more of a gravel grinding. I have really gotten to love mixed rides on tarmac and flowing trails.

What are your thoughts?

commuting and fitness mean pavement and carrying a bit of stuff, gravel or light trails means bigger tires and a rugged frame. basically, you're describing a touring bike with a motor. fairly light, but with support for big tires, endurance/comfortable geometry, tons of places to attach stuff to the frame, durable steel or titanium frame with thin tubes for compliance and a nice ride quality, although aluminum would do.

at the extreme end these would have a quality IGH and a belt drive, which of course necessitates mid motor.

 

[Rich W.]

Dredging up an old thread that mirrors some of my thoughts and ideas, I thought I’d ask @Mr_Reality what happened but it appears he’s no longer in the building…?

For my .02 worth, for this kind of riding rear suspension is unnecessary and not worth the $2000 upcharge, and also not all that suitable for a rack/load. Also whether I saw it on this thread or another, I’d agree that the handle bar position for MTB riding is not all that conducive to more varied and longer distance riding and a little more adjustability in height and position would be nice.

This is clearly a “jack of all trades - master of none” situation, so its probably best to focus on the primary type of intended riding, and make do on the rest. I still like my choice of the Spec Tero, but its two major flaws for me are gearing, and weight…and handlebar position. Ok three. But thats not bad given the variety of conditions for which it seems suitable. More multi-use tyres are probably the next mod.