yeah, a commuter is a good idea. Just get a big ring for your MTB thats a few teeth larger, and the slicks (you can get 2.25 slicks from Kenda that will hold 80 psi). Steel frames are usually more comfy, but suspension can help that too, although it will soak up some of your leg power too, so be careful. 12 miles isnt so bad in the morning when youre fresh. Its a 12 mile ride home when youve worked all day that can crush you. too bad I live 29 miles from work.
92dxman wrote: Personally, I don't spend anything over $500 for a bike. I ride with a group from time to time and my jaw drops sometimes when some people say how much they dropped on their bike $$$ wise.
It becomes a matter of perspective... I raced DH for awhile and bike costs there were staggering. $500 might pay for my wheels. And I had two sets since you were never sure they would last for a whole race w/e. I had more $ into my race bike than I do in my E30 - by a large amount. Tires were about $50 each and depending on the course and conditions, would often last one weekend. I used to race at one venue in NY that ate tires - I saw brand new tires destroyed in a single run if the rider dragged the rear brake too much.
I guess it's coming from this background is what makes me wonder why guys complain about r-comps in Stock...
But yeah... 12.5 miles... just pump up the tires and ride.
The reason I can't recommend most "Road" bikes for commuting is many will not fit fenders - the clearance between fork and tire or seatstay and tire is just too slim. Many also don't fit any tire wider than 700x23c, and I think 28c is really the sweet spot for a commuter.
If you are going to buy a road bike, an older model will be more likely to have space for fenders or wider tires. French bikes in particular have lots of room for some reason - Peugeot, Gitane, Motobecane.
Re: Fenders
You can find fenders that mount to the stays etc that dont have to go through the frame. If you can fab up underhood cowling or under-engine trays, you can fab up fenders for even the weeniest Ti road frame.
I work at a bike shop so I say do it! It's a great way to commute and keeps you in a bit better shape. Just allow time to get cleaned up once you get to work.
Good luck. I would LOVE to commute on my bike, but I have a 25 mile drive, and BIG hills
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