Safer for commuting - MTB or road ?

WicklowRacer

Just spent a week or so commuting on the MTB instead of the road bike because of the conditions of the road being so bad after the snow. I'm thinking about making it permanent because I guess the loss of 5-8 minutes timewise is worth the safer ride - it feels safer because;

• I've got disk brakes
• The MTB is more maneouvable
• I dont care near as much about the road surface, just ride it
• Wider handlebars give a bigger cockpit which feels safer
• I can pop up and down kerbs to get out of tight spots
• Faster acceleration thanks to higher gearing

So its all good really.. only downside is the time but I guess its worth it.

DirkVoodoo

Whatever makes you happier.

I would be of the opinion that the rider is the primary influence on safety, then the bike (conditions permitting).

I ride a felt "fixie" (yes Caroline, I can call it a fixie even though I haven't turned to the dark side yet ) in 5 days a week and love it, well used to the different position in traffic.

The other week I cycled in a Trek 7.0 FX I was trying to sell and it was God awful. I found I was more exposed, I didn't like the upright position and felt that I had less feel with the surface. All this would lead me to feeling safer on a road bike, not because of the bike but because of how I feel on the bike.

If you are well lit and well aware, it shouldn't matter too much. Unless we get lots of snow again in which case a road bike will be trickier

thesunwashot

In theory you are better off with smooth rubber than with a deep tread pattern in terms of how much grip you have and especially for cornering:

see http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tyres.html#tread
and http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tyres.html#squirm


Do you think the MTB feels safer because you are going slower? The one I used to commute on was pretty heavy and did feel more sturdy on the road than what I ride now but I was forever being overtaken by other cyclists on it whereas it is really rare I get overtaken now.

In terms of riding position, it really is whatever you are happiest with yourself.

NeilMcEoigheann

the mtb is safer for commuting. there i said it, basically the disk brakes let you stop at a moments notice you have a less aggressive position allowing you to view the traffic and the thick wheels allow you to ride over potholes and other crap in the killing zone
yes you do go slower but it could be better for you,
i ride a fixie (with front brake) and i go fast, i like it because i don't arrive to college all sweaty (unless my nemisess is ahead of me on the road)
it really depends on what your comfortable with
I remember coming down the cycle lane on my mtb (broken fixie) and an suv pulled across my path and stopped waiting to get into a parking space or something i stopped without hitting him (back wheel in the air with my arse hanging over the saddle) had i been on my fixie i prob would have hit her or put myself in danger etc,
i still feel more comfortable on my fixie.

Gavin

Stick with a MTB fixie folks, the best of both worlds. (Although I am still not persuaded about the wonderfulness of fixies, I haven't noticed any advantage of the singlespeed)

Nice high BB, so less pedal chance of pedal strike.
No foot/wheel interaction with the 26" wheels
Strong v-brakes, or discs if you have the mount
Easy to use, cheap flip-flop wheel with a disc mount cog for the rear



If I could stick a disc brake onto my fork, I would be tres happy.

Lumen

If you can pull a stoppie, you have enough braking performance.

I'm not brave enough to try this, even wearing my magic hat.

In theory the lower centre of gravity on a road bike should give you better braking (less weight transfer forward) although in practice it's probably more important that you have a riding position in which you can shift yourself rearwards and down in an emergency.

blorg

I commuted on my MTB myself when riding over snow/ice and it has a hell of a lot more traction in those conditions. The bike gripped solid on surfaces I wasn't able to walk on. I did notice a growing lack of concern for potholes, kerbs, etc, I was even able to use some cycle tracks!

@thesunwashot- tread definitely gives better grip on snow although on a dry road as you say is completely unnecessary. Sheet ice I am not sure, maybe only studs will help there and beyond that you are down to wider/lower pressure being better.

Now that the snow/ice is over though, I'm straight back on the fixie(s) for the commute. If you decide to continue on the mountain bike, lock out your suspension and get slicks! I think it would drive me mad personally unless there was some good reason for it (like the weather), but that's a personal thing.

@Neil- I've stopped an inch from a car door before with the saddle above my head all right, didn't need disc brakes! If you can lift your back wheel your braking is working.