A dirt jumper can work as a commuter but not for long distances due to the bike’s low comfort and inefficient pedaling setup.
What Is a Dirt Jump Bike?
Dirt jumpers are 24 or 26-inch hardtail bikes optimized for skate park riding and jumping.
They’re a mix between a BMX and a mountain bike and work well for tricks and acrobatic jumps.
The Disadvantages of Using a Dirt Jump Bike as a Commuter
Below you will find a list of disadvantages making dirt jump bikes poor commuters:
Inefficient Pedaling
Dirt jump bikes are not designed for comfortable in-saddle pedaling. They have short seat tubes and a slack seat post angle positioning the rider far behind the bottom bracket.
Those properties heavily limit the usefulness of dirt jump bikes as commuters.
There are two ways to deal with the situation:
A. Out of the saddle pedaling
Pedaling out of the saddle is the default choice for dirt jump bikes.
While it’s possible to exert a lot of force from a standing position thanks to the activation of major leg muscles (e.g., the glutes), the power production cannot be maintained for long.
B. Switching to a Longer Seat Post
Another option is to buy a longer seat post. Unfortunately, this route may not work for taller individuals.
A standard seat post is about 30cm/11.8 inches and has a minimum insertion length of 10cm/3.93 inches. Thus, you would only get 20cm/7.87 inches of “elevation” out of it. If you have longer legs, that may not be enough for a comfortable knee extension.
In that case, you will have to search for an extra-long seat post. Thankfully, the market offers many of those. There are even 600mm models designed for folding bikes.
The problem with lengthy seat posts is that they act as a long lever against the frame and stress the juncture where the seat tube, top tube, and the chainstays meet.
Long seat posts have two more downsides:
- They could easily ruin the aesthetics of the bike.
- You can’t lower them low enough for actual dirt jump riding because dirt jumpers have very short seat tubes.
Why Is Efficient Pedaling So Important?
Commuting is all about covering miles comfortably and with minimum effort.
Sure, you can press the pedal to the metal and ride out of the saddle for an hour, but you will end up tired and in sweat. Is this the best way to reach the office? Of course, not. You will be dirty and drained.
The best commuter bikes offer a comfortable pedaling position maximizing your input to output ratio.
The result is a pleasant commute without unnecessary energy expenditure.
Inefficient Pedaling = Extra Joint Stress
Constantly riding out of the saddle creates additional stress on the knees and hips. You’re always standing and mashing hard. Therefore, it’s easy to overwork the muscles of the legs and the connective tissues surrounding them.
Small Frames
Most dirt jump manufacturers offer a single size. This makes it very difficult to find a frame that fits your body correctly for regular cycling.
The lack of options isn’t a problem for dirt jumping but greatly hurts the cyclist when the bike is used for commuting.
Riding on a short and small frame is highly uncomfortable and inefficient. Your body is squished, and you can’t transfer all your power to the pedals.
Another downside of small frames is that you can’t fit a large frame bag and two water bottles. In fact, some dirt jumpers have such a narrow front triangle that sometimes you can’t add even a single bottle.
Those who like to use standard cages for their hydration source would be disappointed.
Lack of Eyelets
Dirt jumpers come without eyelets for racks, fenders, and water bottles. Therefore, people who want to use panniers to carry clothes, electronics, and other items would have to search for an alternative way of cargo transportation.
It will also be difficult to attach full fenders (the type that works best for commuting) because the frame and fork aren’t designed for such accessories.
Nonetheless, it’s still possible to come up with a working solution, but it will require some tinkering, and the final product may be unappealing to some.
FAQ: If I can’t easily install a rack and panniers what are my options?
The alternatives to panniers are:
- Saddle and handlebar bags
The only way to mount a saddle bag to a dirt jumper would be to elevate the seat post. Otherwise, there won’t be enough clearance, and the bag will hit the tire.
The downside of saddle and handlebar bags is that they can’t hold as much stuff as panniers. Therefore, if you have to transport a large number of items, you will quickly run out of space.
Having said that, saddle and handlebar bags have a positive side too – they are balanced, unlike panniers, and more aerodynamic.
- A backpack
A backpack is the simplest option, but also the least comfortable. It suffocates your back, even in the winter.
Also, the micro-vibrations transmitted from the road to your body reach the backpack too. As a result, it starts bouncing and “micro-punches” your back and kidneys during the ride. A while back, I got kidney pain from commuting with a fairly heavy backpack.
Super Short Chainstays
Dirt jump bikes have very short chainstays to facilitate the execution of tricks such as manual and bunny hop.
Unfortunately, this property of the frame has the following negative effects on commuting:
- Loss of stability at high speed
- Inability to use panniers because you will be hitting them with your heels.
- Higher chances of looping out (the bike sliding in front of you)
Poor Gear Range
Most dirt jumpers have single-speed drivetrains to keep the system simple and shockproof. This configuration is beneficial for stunts and jumps but makes it impossible to pedal at optimal cadence consistently.
The consequences of this technicality are:
- Fatigue
Since you don’t have the option to spin (ride at high cadence) all the time, your muscle fatigue faster.
- Low speed
No one commutes as fast as possible on a dirt jump bike. Even if you have the endurance needed to ride out of the saddle all the time, you will always be faster on a bicycle designed for comfortable seated pedaling.
Furthermore, the absence of high gears on a dirt jumper will result in spinning out on descents.
- Poor climbing abilities
Low gears spare your energy uphill by reducing the effort and strength needed to pedal and allowing you to remain in a seated position. A standard dirt jumper doesn’t give you that luxury.
Not every dirt jumper is single-speed. Models in-between a jump bike and a hardtail often come with a derailleur hanger. Obviously, those are better for commuting.
Note: It’s possible to add gears to a dedicated single-speed bike by installing a derailleur hanger. You can read more on this topic here.
High-Price
Dirt jumpers are highly specialized and cost a lot of money. The price tag hurts their commuting value because it’s not practical to lock an expensive bicycle outside for hours.
Of course, if your commute doesn’t include temporary stops requiring you to leave the bike alone, this point doesn’t concern you.
Lots Of Drag
Dirt jump bikes put the rider in a very upright position which creates a lot of drag. The non-aerodynamic stance makes it difficult to ride longer and faster.
The Advantages Of Commuting On A Dirt Jumper
Fun Commute
A dirt jumper gives you the opportunity to perform stunts while commuting. For example, you can bunny hop a set of stairs or manual on a block.
Simplicity & Strength
Single-speed dirt jump bikes are simple and very robust. As such, they don’t require a ton of maintenance, especially when used for pedaling around.
Fitness & Strength
The inefficiency of dirt jump bikes has a positive side – the exercise/ride is more difficult and results in a quick workout. Pedaling a few miles on a dirt jumper will always tire you more than doing so on a road bike with a proper fit.
The Closer To a Hardtail, The Better
Hybrid dirt jumpers which are essentially a hardtail in “jump mode” make the best commuters because they have gears, or an option to install a derailleur, and geometry better suited for longer pedaling.
If you have one of those models, you will cover a longer distance with less effort.
The Importance of a Consistently Pleasant Commute
The only way to continuously commute on a bicycle is to love the experience and look forward to it.
Dedicated bike commuters often say that their commute is the best part of their routine and describe the day as a long ride with a break for work in between.
You can’t join the group of happy brothers and sisters if your bike is making you feel miserable which would be the case for most people who try to commute on a dirt jumper.
A dirt jumper would offer a satisfying experience only when the following criteria are satisfied:
- Close/Neighborhood errands
A dirt jumper works best for short distances because you can’t accumulate enough volume to experience the negative side effects.
- Actual Dirt Jumping
It makes more sense to commute on a dirt jumper if you practice dirt jumping after school or work. If you don’t participate in the sport and want to commute on a bike, it would be better to sell the dirt jumper and buy a more appropriate bicycle for the mission.
