hardtail commuter bike

[marks]

Looking for a new hard tail commuter.
Needs to be 1 x 12 or maybe 1 x 11. no plus size tyres.
Been looking at https://www.scott-sports.com/au/en/product/scott-scale-960-bike?article=269739006 but unable to see 1 in the flesh.
Other option is https://www.specialized.com/au/en/mens-chisel-comp-x1/p/157839?color=239084-157839
Any others thoughts or things to avoid in purchasing a commuter hard tail.
Budget around $2000 or a little more if no one is watching the bank balance too closely.

 

[droenn]

What kinda of terrain we talking?

For a commuter do you need suspension? The Kona Units (X is geared version) give some options for commuting.

I went for a gravel bike option, found an MTB hardtail was good, but a lot slower than having a large chain ring up front.

 

[marks]

I commute via parks, foot paths etc.
I refuse to ride anything with skinny wheels / tyres, would rather work harder pushing the pedals.
I make my commute fun don't do the road warrior / roady thing.

 

[John U]

I've commuted for almost 20 years.
I used a dually with knobbies for a 16km commute, taking every piece of single track off to side, for quite a while. Changed jobs and commute became 36kms. Tried commuting hard tail, fully rigid mtbs, both with slickish 2.0 tyres. Eventually went for a roadie to save a bit of time and effort. It's a long commute and gets boring in winter when It's dark for most of the ride, but it's good exercise.

How long is your commute? If it's along a bike path, have you looked for bits of single track along the sides? If you can find these little gems it might be worth commuting on an mtb with knobbies.

 

[mooboyj]

Who the hell reported my comment? It wasn't an advert to sell. It was showing what I built to commute to work on.

 

[kbekus]

I love riding my hardtail to work, it's about 14Km each way with the odd bit of dirt/singletrack. I say go for it, find a bike you like the look of and ride.

 

[slowmick]

if possible, grab a fork with a lock out. great for smashing out the kays on the bike track when you are runnign late. On the way home open the lever and huck to your heats content.

 

[Calvin27]

A few personal notes for commuting hardtail:

• Mudguard clearance if you plan on doing this. Most higher end hardtails will not have eyelets and stuff for this, cheaper ones will. It's kid of weird like that.
• Same goes for panier racks etc. Pricier ones will not have it, others will.
• Reconsider your gearing. You will most likely want a larger front chain ring and that might not fit in all frames. Cheaper bikes will run double or triples which are more commuter friendly.

Sounds like I am convincing you to buy a cheaper bike....lol!?

 

[dancaseyimages]

I ride a Giant STP as my commuter.
Its been pretty good, highly recommend the guard on the front to save getting even wetter when it rains, my ride to work includes a wall drop and a bus stop seat to have a little huck onto in the morning.
I do get overtaken by the skinny wheel bikes bit I have more fun and it limits the bikes in the shed.

 

[rowdyflat]

I have commuted forever.
It really depends on the terrain , are there hills , is it all sealed or gravel, how far , will you ride in some rain?
The Scott and any 1x does not have high enough gearing unless you change the front chainring.
I use triples + use every gear ,dont think it has to be a fashion item you want to get to work as simply as possible..
Fork must lock out. Tyres are really important flats and nobbies on roads in the wet arent that great.
As Calvin said you need to consider how you will carry your stuff ? I did use a pack now use a handle bar + frame bag.
Will you be changing your clothes when you get to work ??.Would you have a laptop OMG !!!

 

[rowdyflat]

Cheap drive train is important cos you will wear it out , 2.3inch tyres are mad for commuting.
Have I cheered you up?

 

[Haakon]

it limits the bikes in the shed.

This is the worst reason ever.... N+1 FTW!

 

[marks]

I have commuted forever.
It really depends on the terrain , are there hills , is it all sealed or gravel, how far , will you ride in some rain?

Not a lot of hills near me really, I do seek out as many as possible on my morning ride.

The Scott and any 1x does not have high enough gearing unless you change the front chainring.

Good point had not thought of that

[QUOTEI use triples + use every gear ,dont think it has to be a fashion item you want to get to work as simply as possible..[/QUOTE]
Definitely going 1 x. I hate fr deraileurs

Fork must lock out. Tyres are really important flats and nobbies on roads in the wet arent that great.
As Calvin said you need to consider how you will carry your stuff ? I did use a pack now use a handle bar + frame bag.
Will you be changing your clothes when you get to work ??.Would you have a laptop OMG !!!

Only things I take to work are lunch, work shirt and work pants. Belt and shoes stay at work. So just use a back pack.
I have been using a 3 x 8 hard tail for the last few years but it is time to up grade.
Been commuting on my spesh stumpy 1 x 11 for the last few weeks to see how 1 x 11 and me handle the hills that are around.
My commute is as little as 3.5km if I want but generally do 15km commute to work then direct home after work.

 

[Elbo]

I commute on a early 90's Shogun Trailbreaker. Flat pedals, 2.3" Kenda semi slicks, 3x7 drivetrain, riser bars and quill stem converter. Looks and rides like a big bmx. I love it. I prefer riding it than riding my roadie to work, as I can cut through grass, hop gutters, etc, and my commute isn't long enough to bother wearing anything other than what I'm working in, so I ride in work boots and flst pedals.

I do need to sort out mudguards and a front rack for carrying stuff, but a backpack and some forward planning works most of the time.

 

[flamin'trek]

$2k budget for a commuter is pretty decent. You need to go second hand and get a commuter fleet. Fixed gear, flat bar roadie and a hardtail MTB. Choice of weapon, and spares if you have a mechanical before work.

 

[Oddjob]

The most flexible option would be a 29er monstercross, ie 29er XC mtb frame, flared drop bars, discs, dropper post and 100mm forks.

I've got a Lynskey MT29 set up this way and it can handle most mtb tracks. Can be set up for touring, road, CX whatever. It absolutely murders mtbs on fire roads.

Onviously a Ti mtb is going to blow the budget but you should be able to pick up a second hand steel Salsa, Surly etc that should do the job.



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[Haakon]

I like the roadie for commuting, its "sporty" and fun and fast

 

[Flow-Rider]

I've run a rigid MTB with slicks as a commuter for years and it's knocked over more 20 000kms. I run carbon forks and bars on it to take a bit of the harshness out of the rides plus a 48 & 36t up front on the cranks. One day I'll go to a frame with thinner chain stays as the rear triangle can get a bit harsh on the longer rides but other than that it's been a very good bike over the years.

 

[ashes_mtb]

I've run a rigid MTB with slicks as a commuter for years and it's knocked over more 20 000kms. I run carbon forks and bars on it to take a bit of the harshness out of the rides plus a 48 & 36t up front on the cranks. One day I'll go to a frame with thinner chain stays as the rear triangle can get a bit harsh on the longer rides but other than that it's been a very good bike over the years.

If only you could get a modern hardtail that takes a decent size chainring!

 

[Flow-Rider]

If only you could get a modern hardtail that takes a decent size chainring!

Some of the current flat bar commuters might but my frame is a 2009 GT Avalanche, your legs will spin out pretty easy down hills with MTB gearing.