mountain bike - for commuting on and off road

[joanna]

Thinking already to next summer!

Currently, I commute on a specialised sirrus along a very uninspiring dual carriageway, but my commute could instead be over the south downs from Lewes to Brighton. I've tried it once on a very old, heavy hybrid and it was an amazing ride. The actual ascent was pretty tough, but once up there, it is pretty easy going.

Anyway... I am thinking of buying a mountain bike next year using the bike to work scheme that my work has just introduced. I'd want something that won't be incredibly slow on road - as I wouldn't go off road on the way to work (10 miles), but would also want a bike fully capable of off-roading. Especially as if I really get into off-roading, I'd want a bike that is up for the job.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

 

[potsy]

Hi Joanna.
I have had a similar dilemma recently, found an offroad route to work of 10 miles but like you only want to do this one way. Was using my heavy hybrid on the days I fancied it, rest of the time I stuck to the road bike and route.
Anyway I have just today ordered myself a CX (cyclocross) bike, see it as the best of both worlds, semi-nobbly tyres should cope well on or off road, disc brakes for the wet and muddy commutes, lighter than a mtb but more rugged than a racer