Are mountain bikes a bad choice for a college campus bike?

Question

I'll be going off to college this fall. I've got my eyes on a 24" girl's mountain bike. It is baby blue and I love it so much (i've always wanted a mountain bike, so even when my mom urged me to get a cruiser, i still want a mountain bike). But my mom told me that mountain bikes are not a good choice as a college bike because they are more likely to get stolen (even though the mountain bike I've got my eyes on is just $180), and because there you have change gears and stuff. I don't really understand about the gears. How can gears can a disadvantage in a college campus?

I hate Cruiser bikes just because the way they look. Getting a cruiser would make lose all the enthusiasm for riding the bike. But I know it is more practical. The cruiser has front and back fenders, which is a feature that is a must have at college, especially at mine. (anyways, since mountain bikes are made for mountain riding, shouldn't they need fenders even more so than cruisers?).

So are mountain bikes a bad choice for college?

Answer 1

Summer



The cruiser is absolutely the wrong choice.



I would suggest a hybrid bike with 26 inch wheels would be the correct bike for you. Add a rear rack with a stainLess steel basket bolted to it. You can toss in your books, bags, even put in a large bags of groceries with no muss or fuss.



Soccerref

Answer 2

Just exactly how short are you? A 24" bike? That's for a kid...a child. If even close to 5 feet tall, get yourself to a REAL bicycle shop. They offer bikes with various frame sizes to fit anyone roughly 4' 10" tall to 6' 6" tall. If there are any hills at all - a cruiser would be a terrible bike. You can install semi-slick tread tires to a mountain bike, making it more "commuter friendly". 1st link below.



You can also install fenders to almost any mountain bike or better - a HYBRID bicycle for commuting. As far as theft - get a good U-Bolt lock with a thick cable or chain. Use them both. Get a good Kryptonite or OnGuard lock. 2nd & 3rd links. Also see 4th link.



I would avoid any $180 discount store bicycle. Low quality - bad assembly. Again - see a REAL bicycle shop.

Answer 3

No definatly. Mtbs are great. I bike to school every day on my mtb and gears are a definte must for long distance riding. Just gt a great ulock. Gears just make it eisier and better to ride up hills and on differant terrain and no offence but what ur mom said was completely wrong

Answer 4

Ren ride faster! you can ride real fast on a single speed, until you hit a hill! Are you carrying your books in your hands? - Get a back pack or rear rack with a basket. Get in riding shape... make it a point to concentrate on speed. It is summer time get out and ride to accomplish your goal. Lastly, get a hybrid bike... it will make a whole lot of difference too! :-) Soccerref

Answer 5

Any bike is a target, so get the bike you like. Gears are an advantage.



Get a Ulock. You can install after market fenders.



Ride what you like, it probsbly won't be your last bike!