Widdled it down to two completely different bikes...cannot decide...

[Ocelot]

HI there.
Firstly, Thanks for all the info on this forum, it has been a great resource.

I am out of shape, and tired of traffic. Hence, I am going to buy on ebike.

My ride to work is only 6 km, some road, some paved path and some 'loose gravel' path.
The loose gravel can be slippy, especially downhill on my current non electric bike, which has only 1.2 inch tires. So I was looking for something more stable. I also cannot be too sweaty when I get there.

I tried some bikes and really like the specialized turbo levo FSR fattie, as it is super easy on my problematic joints. I do wonder though how will I carry things, on really what is a mountain bike (ie. is backpack my only option?). I realize this bike is likely 'overkill' but is on sale at the local shop now, and really enjoyed riding it. On the plus side, is I also have a young one who is starting to moutain bike, so it would allow me to go with him.

The other bike is the Trek super commuter 7 plus. Has the rack, integrated lights, and fenders, which makes things 'easier' from the go, but definitely feel the bumps a bit more.

While a lot of cash, I am the type to buy a bit above my means, and hold onto it for years.

Anyone out there buy a mountainbike to commute and regret it? Or a commuter bike and regret it?

Thanks,

 

[J.R.]

I wouldn't hesitate to use a mountain bike for commuting. If needed less aggressive tires can always be used. For me I'd draw the line at full suspension though. Full suspension costs more, weighs more and requires more maintenance. And there's the issue of mounting a rack. You can use a seatpost rack like this, it needs to be mounted high to account for wheel movement and when I had one I often hit it with my leg while mounting the bike or it vibrated and moved, that can be an issue colliding with the tire. Have you considered a hardtail MTB? Then install a seatpost suspension like a BodyFloat or Thudbuster. I have 2 hardtail MTB, one 26er with Thudbuster and one 29er with BodyFloat, work great and no issue mounting a traditional touring rack with panniers. That's just my experience, yours might be different. The Levo is an amazing bike!

If you're planning to ride gravel or mountain bike with your kid, the Super Commuter might not be the best choice. If you have a Trek dealer, what about a Trek Powerfly hardtail?

 

[Ocelot]

Thanks J.R. I appreciate the links. I had not even thought of a mountain bike, was thinking commuter with wider tires, until I tried it, and it was $1800 bucks off. (canadian, so thats like 50 bucks US). I think I might try the trek powefly this week.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

I used a mountain bike for commuting in Seattle for about eight years.

Even if you don't buy or can't use a rear rack, there are lots of carrying solutions that would work fine for you. Baskets are inexpensive and can convert most any bag into a bike bag. Of course, consumerism being what it is there are now purpose-designed bags for bike baskets. There are a lot of basket bags out there.

A rear rack is likely to be problematic with a full-suspension bike, unless you go for something exotic

 

[Ocelot]

THanks Mr. Coffee. Just up the road here in Victoria. I kinda like the exotic!

On a side note, they is something about the coffee at the edgewater hotel. i asked they said the blend is made for them. might be the setting , but i really really like that coffee.

 

[John from Connecticut]

HI there.
Firstly, Thanks for all the info on this forum, it has been a great resource.

I am out of shape, and tired of traffic. Hence, I am going to buy on ebike.

My ride to work is only 6 km, some road, some paved path and some 'loose gravel' path.
The loose gravel can be slippy, especially downhill on my current non electric bike, which has only 1.2 inch tires. So I was looking for something more stable. I also cannot be too sweaty when I get there.

I tried some bikes and really like the specialized turbo levo FSR fattie, as it is super easy on my problematic joints. I do wonder though how will I carry things, on really what is a mountain bike (ie. is backpack my only option?). I realize this bike is likely 'overkill' but is on sale at the local shop now, and really enjoyed riding it. On the plus side, is I also have a young one who is starting to moutain bike, so it would allow me to go with him.

The other bike is the Trek super commuter 7 plus. Has the rack, integrated lights, and fenders, which makes things 'easier' from the go, but definitely feel the bumps a bit more.

While a lot of cash, I am the type to buy a bit above my means, and hold onto it for years.

Anyone out there buy a mountainbike to commute and regret it? Or a commuter bike and regret it?

Thanks,

 

[Mr. Coffee]

THanks Mr. Coffee. Just up the road here in Victoria. I kinda like the exotic!

On a side note, they is something about the coffee at the edgewater hotel. i asked they said the blend is made for them. might be the setting , but i really really like that coffee.

My favorite coffee is Ethiopian Harrar brewed cowboy-style on a fire (drop eggshells in to get the grounds to drop).

You live in a cycling paradise. You will not run out of places to ride.

Arkel sells a trunk bag that fits nicely on that seat post rack.

 

[John from Connecticut]

HI there.
Firstly, Thanks for all the info on this forum, it has been a great resource.

I am out of shape, and tired of traffic. Hence, I am going to buy on ebike.

My ride to work is only 6 km, some road, some paved path and some 'loose gravel' path.
The loose gravel can be slippy, especially downhill on my current non electric bike, which has only 1.2 inch tires. So I was looking for something more stable. I also cannot be too sweaty when I get there.

I tried some bikes and really like the specialized turbo levo FSR fattie, as it is super easy on my problematic joints. I do wonder though how will I carry things, on really what is a mountain bike (ie. is backpack my only option?). I realize this bike is likely 'overkill' but is on sale at the local shop now, and really enjoyed riding it. On the plus side, is I also have a young one who is starting to moutain bike, so it would allow me to go with him.

The other bike is the Trek super commuter 7 plus. Has the rack, integrated lights, and fenders, which makes things 'easier' from the go, but definitely feel the bumps a bit more.

While a lot of cash, I am the type to buy a bit above my means, and hold onto it for years.

Anyone out there buy a mountainbike to commute and regret it? Or a commuter bike and regret it?

Thanks,

Hello Ocelot, while I have no specific experience with Trek Super Commuter Plus, I do ride a Trek XM700+ Commuter and a Trek Powerfly 7 MTB, both casually and absolutely love them both. The Bosch Performance Line motors / with Intuvia Controller which comes on each
is silky smooth and powerful. Trek has provided over the top support via my LBS regarding a chain ring up date that my XM700+ needed.
I'm very impressed with Treks attention to engineering detail.

You asked about buying a commuter bike and regretting it, just the opposite for me. I bought the Trek XM700 commuter and was so impressed, but I wanted to ride on gravel, hard packed rails to trails, the commuter didn't feel secure enough for my liking, so I bought the Powerfly 7 without ever riding it and I could not be happier. It's great.

Specialized also makes very fine bikes, I just don't have any first hand knowledge. Regarding the specialized turbo levo FSR fattie, I'm assuming it has a 20mph max speed as most MTBs do. ( mine does ) That may or may not be a consideration while commuting. As for full suspension, I'm assuming on the Specialized it can be locked out should

I replaced the stock knobby tires with Schwalbe Flatless Marathon Plus MTB tires, they ride fantastic on hard pavement. I hope this was helpful.

John from CT.

 

[Ocelot]

Thanks John, and everybody else.
I wound up buying the mountain bike, the specialized. gonna throw on a single post rack, and see how things go. Just bought it yesterday, and the ride home was great. i did wind up with a full suspension, only due to the fact it was cheaper than the hardtail and already was at top of budget. When i asked why cheaper (it was discounted more) the sales guy told me 'we made a mistake". not sure if true or not, but I figure I am know officially a 'poser' of some sort. fine by me, as long as the ride is comfy.

 

[J.R.]

Thanks John, and everybody else.
I wound up buying the mountain bike, the specialized. gonna throw on a single post rack, and see how things go. Just bought it yesterday, and the ride home was great. i did wind up with a full suspension, only due to the fact it was cheaper than the hardtail and already was at top of budget. When i asked why cheaper (it was discounted more) the sales guy told me 'we made a mistake". not sure if true or not, but I figure I am know officially a 'poser' of some sort. fine by me, as long as the ride is comfy.

Welcome to the club! We're all cheaters. Cheating father time, cheating hills, cheating the drudgery. I like cheating all that.

 

[MikeDD]

Keep us posted on how you like the bike. I keep looking at the fat tire MTB. I have the Rad Mini because of the small frame fits me. I am looking to move to a full size MTB to ride with my son and grandkids.

 

[Ocelot]

Hey there.
Want to give an update.
I really, really , really like my bike. I use it roughly 2 x, and sometimes 3x a week to get to work. I have only two niggly complaints. the 'misison contral app' rarely works. does not monitor my rides, or if does, does not save them. the other is when you are on pavement and hit the 'limiter' it is actually harder to pedal than a regular bike at this point. feels like something is dragging you down. i have not 'hacked' it yet, but have started to read up on it, and debating it.

so if there is anyone looking for super stable (ie. might have some gravel or dirt roads), soft (ie might have some joint problems)" bike , i have zero reservations of recommending a mountain bike as a commuter.