snakesRkewl, if you haven't yet, I urge you to try out a road bike. The taller ratios, lower weight, and lower rolling resistance will significantly shorten your daily commute. Back when I had the 13 mile commute I mentioned earlier in the thread, going from a mountain bike to a roadie saved me 10-15 minutes each way, for a total of close to a half hour a day of saved time. It was also smoother and quieter (esp going from knobby mtb tires to smooth road tires), making for an overall more pleasant commute. The only way I'd commute on (or otherwise ride) an mtb these days is if I had to go off-road. Sure, I don't risk biking down stairways anymore, but that was always kind of a dumb thing to do anyway, so it's no big loss.
They make slick mtb tires...and it's simple to change gear ratios...and going down stairs is fun...
Lucifer Sam, Siam cat...
Always sitting by your side,
Always by your side...
That cat's something I can't explain...