Please convince me to buy a MTB that I don't need

Equipment
1

I see a Mountain bike I want but have almost no reason to buy.

I have a road and gravel bike.

My main riding is fairly good pavement. My secondary spot is a light gravel trail.

I’m not opposed to a tame mountain bike trail but would never do anything technical as I am fairly uncoordinated and injury-prone (and I understand to get good at that is a new skill that requires study / hours that I don’t want to devote myself to now or any time foreseeable). the closest trail would be about a 75 minute bike ride to get to…probably ~20 min car ride including loading it up.

I had a full suspension mountain bike that I recently sold for the gravel bike…I just miss the MTB. I miss rolling over stuff without thinking about it or needing to take the proper line.

Could I set the mountain bike up to be somehow safer for riding in the winter? (I commute ~1hr each way).

anyone use a MTB on the road for endurance training, just because?

2

I am mostly a mountain biker, but I set up one of mine with a rigid carbon fork and 2.3s. compared to a gravel bike it smashes stuff.

It’s still fine on the road / light gravel trails. I use it in a road / gravel race and it very often feels like the right choice for me.

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3

I was in the same place. I think the trick is not getting a MTB to close to your gravel bike- meaning don’t get a hardtail XC bike.

As to why… to keep yourself interested in your hobby, slower winter rides, casual rides around town, and because you want it.

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4

Doubtful. High rolling resistance and aero drag. Waste of money.

5

Perhaps you sell the gravel bike and buy a hard tail? It’s difficult to make the case for the dually.

Joe

6

I used an mtb for winter road training for many years. Its the ideal bike for the job:
Slower so less windchill.
Fatter tyres cope with ice very well.
More upright position is great for hours in the saddle.
Really easy gear ratios for steady climbing.
Poggies on the handlebars rock!
Ability to go proper off road on a whim.
Massive seat bag to store plenty of clothing options.
Potential to enjoy the looks of disbelief when you STILL drop your club mates on a climb (due to all that riding).

Downsides:
Can get dropped on fast downhills (you spin out the gears)
Wide handlebars not the best in a group ride.

7

You always need n+1 @genefish

:wink:

I can easily get by on my gravel bike given the terrain we’ve got near me but I’ve an inkling to pick up a mtb for those occasional days, they just look fun. Myself I wouldn’t commute on it just because of how much slower it would be compared to the road bike I usually commute on. (My commute is 20min cycle+45min train+40mins cycle at fastest; often 20mins cycle+20mins wait + 50min train + 1h cycle through dark lanes). For a few days I have used the gravel bike and its felt safe enough though.

8

I do, just because of the winter here is awful.

I don’t really use it as a road bike, but I ride smaller paved roads, gravel roads and occasional bike paths during the months when everything is covered with snow and ice. Actually, without knowing the local roads it would be sometimes impossible to tell if I am riding on tarmac or gravel, because they all look the same.

With the inner bar ends I am able to get the riding position a bit closer to my drop bar bikes, but it is definitely not identical.

9

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