Set Up Your Mountain Bike For Commuting And Urban Riding
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 ก.ค. 2024
- Commuting to work on your mountain bike is a great way to get some extra riding done during the week. You might want to consider making a few changes to your MTB for urban riding though, in this video Doddy explains the small modifications he’s made to his bike for commuting.
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MTB is the way to go for commutes. At least shorter ones. Considering the state of some of the roads around here, it's practically trail riding anyway!
super agree with you
Slightly safer than a trail and you can link stuff together to get an urban trail.
Like drops, link all the drops in the area
Amen
I use it for 30 mile trips and its fine.
MTB works well, very durable. Entry level hard tails are fine for this. The cheap suntour spring forks are good for everything but stairs. For sure get disc breaks and fenders. I have a 2x8, just had to slap on some city tires (serfas drifter ctx), bald on the midline so they ride fast at 60 psi, but wide enough and textured that still very safe in the rain. Add some bar ends for uphill, as shifting weight to front with a cheap fork sucks uphill. Can handle uneven sidewalk, pitted streets, loose gravel, dirt, and grass just fine. Most downhill is fine at low speeds. Uphill fine as long as it isn't wet+rocky.
Commuting with mountain bike is the best. Do some street freeriding or do a shortcut through some smaller roads.
I agree.
TIL ur Bike gets stolen
There's a canal path I can detour along. Got a lock gate to climb, cobblestone ramp, stairs, even a foot bridge...
What do you mean it's not a playground? You're not the boss of me!
true..not fully road.
@@maxmac2664 bad security can happen with any bike, road or MTB.
The mountain bike opens up a variety of options so you were always prepared for any situation, it’s my do it all
I don’t live near trails and I don’t have a car so riding street is all I do!
im with you on that one, im 16 and whenever i want to go places, i have to beg my dad who has a van for a lift:)
im with you on that one, im 16 and whenever i want to go places, i have to beg my dad who has a van for a lift:)
Same gere
Build your own trails! We have like 10ks In total of diy trails
ZacPad MTB same here man, my parents never want to give me a lift to the trails
I daily my full sus. Commuting, errands, etc.
I live few miles outside a small town. So it’s pretty easy.
it’s super fun. Back roads, Parking lots, cut though hear and there, jump up and down curbs.
Everything can become a jump or obstacle if you get creative. I like playing hot lava. Pavement is lava. And you don’t wanna melt your tires... So stick to the dirt ditches, grass shoulders, across a park, weird lil spots of broken, pot holed concrete, etc.
Firmer tire pressure, and rear shock in middle position is only changes I make from trail riding. I’m already running a semi slick on the rear for a loose fun bike. Translates well for commuting.
Good Lights are a must ! Then leave them on for night trail riding. Winter fun!
I only got back into mountain biking recently and watched tons of videos by Doddy and he is without a doubt the best I've seen on youtube and explains things so well. So knowledgeable and fun to watch. Great work mate.
who else out there that only have an mtb and also use it for commuting duty
fun to pass roadies on it.
i ride my KONA PROCESS 153 everyday for 4 years!! I dont have a U-lock even. fortunately I have private bicycle parking in my campus also in my work, and in the supermarket they have a separated place with a guard to bikes! So i m consider my self a lucky guy! 👍👍
Specialized Rockhopper Sport 2019 3x8 with 29" road wheels
Scott Scale 990 with continental raceking racesport tyres. Like it much better than my merida speeder.
well, what i have are just polygon’s entry level xc sport hardtail and full-suspension, but the bike doesn’t matter as long as you can pass some roadies a couple time
Thank the lord for Doddy coming in to do this sub channel that really helps out with all the Knick knack questions I need answered
I commuted with my mtb for 10 years when I lived in NYC. I bought a complete second wheel set and put 1.75" Conti road tires on them. Used the slicks for commuting and swapped out the set with the knobbies for weekend riding.
I commute on my 2018 Trek Roscoe, it's mostly stock except for the added Bontrager rear rack and bag. I also added a headlight and taillight. I pump the tires way up and it rolls pretty nice on the streets. I lock out the front shock for road use. It's fun to be able to take shortcuts pretty much where ever I want.
Great vid , inspiring as just got a 2019 rockhopper for commuting around the city
So much fun zooming thru the traffic jams with a stupid grin on my face!
Biggest change on the commuters: fenders!
I find fenders a must for commuting. Ever since hitting a pile of dog crap without fenders on an early morning dark ride...I use fenders now.
Yeah fenders lights and Spikes for Front wheel during Winter. Saved my live! No worries about Suspension though
Or at least a rear rack to prevent those embarrassing rooster tails up my backside. Easier on the back to carry stuff on that rack than in a backpack.
@@25inspector not just an urban risk, I hit fox turd at speed on woodland singletrack and run more knobbly front tyre than rear.... not a good mix as it essentially turned it into a cloud. Didn't realise I could make such a girly noise. How did I know it was fox and not dog, if you've been close to fox crap you'd know how, and I got close enough as you know how offroad mud splatters your face.... yeah... at least I had mouth closed when it hit and the shriek came after the fact. TRhankful of that small mercy.
I don't really like the look of fenders on my mtb commuter, but I just can't ride without them.
You forgot to mention the 1'000 locks you need when you park your bike so none can steal your 5'000£ bike.
Abus Granit x-plus 😉
Agreed. You payed 1k$ to save 1kg. Now dont forget the 5kg lock for $150.
Also, how about a 20$ kickstand (Horror! Gasp! Never!) so you dont have to lean it against the copy machine or watch it slide off the wall if they do let you bring it in?
Big motorcycle chain lock slung over my shoulder bandolier style
@@eoinkenny3188 bandolier style😂👍
That's why I use a cheap green fully rigid 1980s mountain bike I found at a thrift store.
GMBN, especially GMBN Tech, has been really good for me as beginner. I bought a Montague Paratrooper mainly getting around hiking areas and getting around town. The videos here and GBN have been great for learning. I'm not ruling out actual mountain bike runs at this point.
Used to use to use my old Caloi hardtail with a rock shox fork to train for some roadie stuff I did ( not to worry, I've since reformed and strictly MTB nowadays ) and the settings worked brilliant. Turn it up a bit for the paved portions and soften it slightly for the dirt/gravel roads in between.
Love the video Doddy, I commute year round and in winter its the only riding I really get. I use my 2012 Specialized hard tail 29er for commuting. Unlike England we get freakin 'cold in western Canada, sometimes have to change out muh 2.4" tires for studded tires for the ice. Lower tire pressure is the name of the game a la fatbike style, no need to buy a fat bike. Screamin across the semipack snow at minus 20 keeps you pretty warm. Gotta wear good quality ski gear though, like Helly and Gore. Fortunately this winter has been redicuuously warm, 2 days ago it was -15. Awesomely enough, just last night at 1 am it was +5°c. I for one welcome global warming. Traffic laws are nice to cyclists here, but drivers are c**ts 50% of the time, so a little caution and patience goes a long way. Also roadies can be crazy, dont try passing em on a pathway, they race you! and with a 29er that just aint fair. :P
I’ve just bought a Gorbea mountain e-bike and at 59 I don’t think I am going to be quite as specialist at this channel’s main audience even so, the presenter makes you feel included and is not elitist at all. Really excellent information and very well presented. Thank you , you now have a avid follow!
Been using my Specialized Enduro for commuting for years now. it makes a mundane ride more fun.
Typed "MTB for commuting" into TH-cam, found this video.
Brilliant. I don't pretend to fully understand everything you said...but will keep watching this on repeat. Plus I have a Vitus hardtail.
Bless you brother, and your content. More of this.
I converted a steel 26" to singlespeed, mounted a pair of schwalbe kojak slick 2.0 tires and it's great.
Thanks for the good advice I ride my mountain bike around more urban areas to so thanks for the good advise
That is commitment to the video, riding up the hills around Alexandra park is no joke
Great video, just cleaned up my old Giant MTB and put some hybrid tyres on to be my commuter bike 👍 🚴🏼♀️🚴🏼♀️
my mtb to commuter conversion was... hybrid cranks 26-36-48 and a suitable bottom bracket, an oversize jocky wheel system for the chain wrap capacity in the deraleur, and a big ulock.
I use my 2015 commencal supreme fr with a mid drive kit .1500 w .. 15 miles to work and back every day. Now that's a fun bike to commute on.. rain snow whatever... I'm smiling.tubeless....50psi. soft suspension for a super smooth ride... Winning...
These are great tips for everyone who loves a weekend urban assault!
Not just commuters. 👍😎
Some great info there thank you! I ride a hardtail but i still liked this.
Great tips in this video Doddy, but I think a $200 single speed w flats is the way to go for urban commuting. I did a budget conversion w drop bars on a hybrid bike to make a cheap gravel style commuter w 40c rubber. Its decent in most conditions and i wont be too sad if it got nicked.
Had a £250 single speed.
Didn't take long to break it
Eric of CA. Living in So. CA. Gave up the SUV so now it's all about the MTB! Use a Rock Mountain Vertex 990 rsl hardtail 29er been doing the urban thing for 3 years. Building a Specialized older frame up to replace the expensive mountain bike, only this one is rigid!
The info on the inserts was great information! Thanks....
My daily best transportation set-up option since 1990. :)
good one Doddy!.. I'm buying front & rear lights for my Epic..
I stopped doing 50psi a few years ago though, kept slipping in wet weather.
Now pump it to 40 every week.
I feel like getting street tires as well since there's a race coming up that's full urban.
Watching him ride down those stairs freaked me right out!
Just did this today in Sydney with my Nomad so much fun!!!
Great tips! Thanks for the info.
With crap roads, I restored my 1998 Gary Fisher mountain bike. I am running a 1 x 9 drivetrain, 34T in the front, coupled with an11-34 9-speed cassette in the back. A rear rack, a pair of 26 x 2" slicks, and a pair of Ortlieb front panniers have made a decent commuter.
I just picked up a 2014 Nukeproof Pulse, currently it is setup as a single speed. I plan to change this to a 1x11 speed. I'm only three miles from work, so I'm gonna see how I get on using it for my commute
Love this channel
Watching this makes me wish I was on my bike right now
Cool stuff Doddaaaaaay!
We all love MTB but getting a cheap second hand city bike is the way to go for commuting.
Ya we wouldn't want our expensive MTBs stolen
Ya but look I have a mtb out of most of my friends and none of them have as much as I do
@@Joddyjohn5 Tell that to my cheap Marlin 5
Nah nobody sells stupid hybrids. Secondhand MTB is way to go.
Euro Hernandez Leon the Marlins were made for easy trails as well as commuting, so they’re perfect for riding anywhere! Marlin 6 would be my preferred Bike in that series, but as long as the 5 works for you, that’s all that matters
I ride my mtb everywhere, year around. Only thing I really change besides fork settings (hardtail) is my tires. Come October the bad boy studded tires come on, and in May the "regular" tires go back on. I do a lot of in town riding pulling my daughter around in her cart. But come the weekend I'm all about the single track.
One of these days I'll be able to afford a full suspension bike 👍
with regular urban riding realistically you have to ditch the knobbly full off road tyres as a set of narrower semi slicks makes it so much easier to get up to speed on tarmac , not to mention improved grip in the wet
any of schwalbes / continental trekking tyres will be a good investment and will retain some level of off road capability if you have mixed terrain to ride on your commute
Thank you subtitles. You should ask your local bike shop for a "Nukeprook ARD system" rim insert.
When i cycled my full sus to work i just changed the tyres, got myself a set of thick slicks running at 50psi as it was just tarmac paths and it felt really good just a bit annoying having to change tyres over for hitting the trails.
I'd love to see some tutorials for urban riding. I live a good distance from the nearest trails so only get to visit every few weekends. So urban riding helps
I commute on a old scruffy looking GT Outpost Trail up graded to LX great big and goes under the radar
nick lowe 20 year old specialized rockhopper. It looks beat up so I don’t worry about drawing attention but I’ve got it fixed up enough to have fun running around town or on my commute. Rigid setup with like 55-60 psi in the old 26ers.
I've still been missed when community while in full high vis, so it's a good idea to practice your shouty voice for those drivers who are oblivious to everything.
I have bought a used 150€ hardtail for commuting. My tip for everyone is to get the same tiresize as your regular mtb. I always buy new tires for my regular bike and reuse the old ones on the commuter. It's really nice to always have a set of brand new tires on your regular mtb.
Step 1: Get a bike you could never realistically afford.
Step 2: Keep dreaming
Necromancer166 my version’s step 2 is: keep dreaming, work hard and save up some money while praying to God for some miracle
Another good idea is running urban tires like the Maxxis Torch. Keeps the good looks of the 29er while also giving a much lower rolling resistance. You can swap tires for your trail rides and still go fast in the city during the week.
Not for going down stairs.
Love going to work on my mtb mongoose villain3 2021 lots of new parts still trying to sort out a good tyres 👍
i got hi Viz Orange Jacket & Backpack & choice of 3 Exposure Lights on front Diablo & Strada RS & Maxx-D & Rear Cateye TL1100 which lasts all winter on 2AA Batteries & Bontrager light so can be seen riding to Work on my Hardtail
Where i live the roads are rougher than the trails. So it kinda works!
Great video Andrew
Doddy, i begin to make my xc hardtail into a cross between a dirt jump and street trials. And i had turn the fork to real soft
Good idea 👍🏻
Ha so cool man. I perfer mtb for commuting as well and my bike is ghostly quiet just for the short cuts😉
Your a complete geek.. but your enthusiasm is infectious..keep it up mate.
Some commuter bikes are essentially hard tail mountain bikes. For example cube got some in their trecking bike range.I use one for my daily commutes on long distances (ca. 40km more or less) and it's great to have a bike that works better in rough terrain.
Just bought a “budget” mountain bike to commute about 28km round trip. Got a silverback sport 29 hardtail.
Will see how the tyres go, might look at some road tyres for the commute and keep my nobblys for the trails
I use my FS bike for everything. Its my one and only, and I make my commutes kinda fun, by starting with some short singletrack with steps, and after that, whatever I find. Mostly stairs but sill fun tho
I got three rear lights, helmet, seat post, back pack, so I will definitely be seen if driver looks at the correct direction, which many don't. so always be aware, and make sure no one is coming behind or to the side of you, I wish cars gave a friendly signal with the horn to warn us they are coming.
Wow.. M doing something similar to my full suspension bike 😍
Great video!
i converted my old alloy hard tail it was a 3x by setup so i ripped off the front shifter and locked the derailuer into the big rig then got some conti sport contacts , boom street slayer
62 years old. Just started riding. Commuting in town to work and lite shopping. I wish I would have started thirty years ago.
Second set of rims fitted with maxxis hookworms.
i got myself rigid fork on my 29-er hardtail, now it's ultimate commuter (the roads i take are preaty rough for road bike)
I ride a $150 walmart mtb. Shimano hyper 26"
I reckon its total trash but I have fun. I like getting as far as possible for as cheap as possible.
Nice, it funny because a lot people think they need a super expensive bike for having fun.
i think using a slick tire for urban rides its also good, like maxxis torch or maxxis grifter
Thanks Doddy very informative for the newbies.
Can u identify your front mud guard as that looks tasty?
Hi Doddy, Great advice, I'm commuting on my MTB and having a great time. One question though, what front mud guard have you got on?
I think you missed upsizing the front chain ring. A l-o-n-g time ago (17 years) my only bike was a Giant XTC, which I raced and commutes on. Commute was high pressure (100psi) slicks, off roads was baggy knobblies. With a triple chain ring I had a tip end that was fine for quick commutes. Return to MTB after long stint as a roadie, and running out of gears at modest speed cracks me. If I were to commute on the Anthem, with its 1x12, I would have to upsize that front ring substantially. Rarely need the super low crawling pace gearing on a commute, which I have done for years where the lowest gear was a 39x23. Just a thought.
Awsome video great tips cheers also love the jacket what make is this please cheers
I'm using rubberized underbody paint to protect sensitive areas of the paint.
I use semi slick tyres with side knob and harshy middle part because the road isn't good enough here in Indonesia.
I also ONLY have a mtb for everyday riding. Trek procaliber 9.6. I threw on some 35c gravel kings and a 20 minute swap to a rigid carbon fork and I have an awesome lightweight, fast, commuter, urban, gravel and/or road beast. And I'm guessing until you remove the tire foam and set the 2 shocks back to normal, my swaps wouldn't take much longer if at all.
My city bike was in repair, so I "had" to use my MTB. I cranked the psi way up on my tires (ehm close to 5 bar) .. rolls like a MF (pretty worn down tires helped a lot to make the ride smooth) :-) I even installed some aero-bars for that long stints in the wind (yeah I know, a total no-no but ... bite me). So much fun.
Thank you guys for this useful video! I don't want to spend my money on rim inserts because I don't go that hard...But since I need new tyres anyways, I'd like to buy a very stable set. Which tyres with a width of 2.2 would you recommend?
Your bikes was so cool its my dream bike
have you tried Pedaling innovations Catalyst pedals? they will probably convert you to flats. by using mid foot position and long platform you get supported arch, and more stability.
Nice bit of info, this has been a bonus! Anyone know what mudguard is mounted on the front?
Going to buy a trek x caliber 9 next week purely for riding along country roads long rides along scenic routes on county roads. Should I stick with tubes or go tubeless. Will occasionally take it along sums trails along the way.
i consider my HT MTB as my all in one all terrain human powered vehicle :P 50 PSI sounds about right!
Headlights are a must for night riding. Reflectors can only be seen when they are in the car's headlights. By then it's too late. Your headlight can be seen by the motorist long before you reach that intersection. Set the distance that the beam touches the road correctly. This helps you see debris and holes in the road as well as show motorists on the side streets that another vehicle is approaching.
I got a factory surplus 1990s steel MTB frame & fork for £35 off ebay about 10 years ago, put big chainrings and small sprockets, slick tyres, & have the saddle as high as a road bike. No suspension! It's the most fun urban bike possible, I can overtake roadies easily when I feel fit and then have some fun on loose dusty footpaths, hop up kerbs and take random shortcuts without ever worrying if the rims will get damaged. X3 shifting and derailleurs so shifting is quick. Deore v-brakes, which are good enough for the job. Plus the flat bars mean I'm always heads up in traffic, which is arguably the most important thing to be aware of when riding on city streets. I can't descend stairs as quick as the vid tho ha.
It's way more fun than any hybrid /"urban commute" bike and cost about 1/3 of what you pay for a brand new one. I still want one of those Whyte commuter bikes tho, they look well good
I ride to city on Trek Slash 9.7 fully,good ride on my bike on city
two things to look at for commuting : braking distance at 30 kmh and 10% down slope, braking distance at 30 kmh and 10m radius corner. by my experience TREK fx rim brake has the best braking performance in urban enviroment, I upgraded to deore brake pads and cables and dt swiss heawy duty rims, but factory components work together even better, giving most precise and predictable braking in dry.
i have a nukeproof scout 275 with 160mm fork and i ride it everywhere. i just pump up the tires to 60psi.
If there's one thing I like about commuting on an MTB is riding downhill on a road and hearing the tires roar like crazy
Abraham The Bad Badger my MTB tires do that I have maxxis minion downhill specific and crazy bob on the front the back just roars like crazy
Doddy's bikes are almost always dirty and I like it!
I do 35 to 55 mile urban rides on my Marin San Quentin 3. LOL. Sure it might look goofy riding road with a 65* head angle but it gets the job done. Its my slack do everything bike, urban and singletrack. Some people may frown but I don't care, im on my bike so im happy. Id like to have a dedicated urban bike but don't want little skinny tires, they roll fast sure but id be alot more worried about flats hitting holes and jumping curbs etc.
Ya need a mtb for our uk roads anyway, council too tight to repair the potholes!
Thanks for the video! People make fun of me sometimes because I commute with my commencal clash to office! I cant explain them what the matter is!
Marathon plus tyres offer huge amount of road grip compaired with any nobby tyre. 3mph faster and alot less noise, higher pressure and larger air volume.
You were talking about making a shed in your backyard a while ago you should do that as a DIY project on the channel.
I ride my Trek Fuel EX to work as is with a decent set of lights as there’s no street lights on my journey at all
Nice vidéo thanks
Gonna get BTWIN Rockrider ST 520 soon & use it for commuting and 100+ KM rides for the sake of good health. I live in the Netherlands & the whole country is covered with bike roads.
I would like to have a roadie, but the cheapest one is €600 & that's double my budget.