Mountain Biking - Converting my Trek 7300fx into a mountain bike?

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA
maximum01
11-29-05, 09:23 AM
Hi guys, having purchased a nice fast road bike I had decided to sell my trusty 7300fx hybrid until it occured to me that I could potentially convert it into a mountain bike. Am I mad or is this a possibility?

I don't currently own a mountain bike but definately want one. How will the geometry of this frame handle the smaller wheelset used by mountain bikes - I believe the frame is moulded for 700cs - or can I just keep 700c for mountain riding?

Further, what steps and components would I need to undertake if this conversion was even possible?

Many thanks in advance

stickydpaul
11-29-05, 10:37 AM
There are people who run 29" mountain wheels (same size as 700c). I would recommend actually picking up some beefier 29" wheels before actually trying to use it as a cross country bike. Using a mountain wheelset (26") your brakes won't reach the rim, unless of course you have disk brakes, in which case throw on a disc wheelset of any size and have at it.
harris
11-29-05, 02:22 PM
I ride a 29er, and the only problem I can think of for you is tire clearance. I would use disc brakes and then check for tire clearance. You can use cyclecross tires with you roadbike wheels, but anything over 1.9 I would use some true 29er wheels.

peace
harris

harov3
11-29-05, 03:30 PM
Probably not a good idea, wheel choices aside the frame strength and geometry are like to be completely unsuitable for anything but the most gentle of fire trails. I have a haro v3 (surprise!) and my wife has a giant cypress of some description and recent vintage. Having ridden both I can tell you a hybrid or comfort bike wouldnt last 5 minutes if I put my mind to it. The forks shimmy like those 2 girls from the B52's used to and frame is a true flexi-flyer. Dont do it, it will end in tears and bandaids.