Road Cycling - New Biker asks: Should I get slicks for my MB ?

Hello All - I recently inherited a 2 year old Specialized Rockhopper from my brother and I would like to take advantage of the many hard surface trails in my area for the purpose of sustained rides for fitness and possibly commuting. Instead of saving up money and getting a road bike, my friends have suggested getting slick tires and new rims....but none of them actually have any experience with that set-up on a mountain bike. Comparing the costs of purchasing slick tires and new rims to the increase in efficiency they provide, do you all think this is a good idea ? Would I be better off putting the money towards saving for a road bike instead ? Thanks in advance for your help !

don't get new rims, just get yourself a pair slicks and skinny tubes.... shouldn't cost you more than $50. Then you can keep saving up money to get a road bike.... don't worry, resistance is futile, and you WILL be assimiliated!

MUAHAHAHAHA!!!

I agree, just tires & tubes will do - there was a thread last fall about how narrow a tire you can go on MTB rims, but switching to narrower slicks makes a huge difference on smooth surfaces. i've even ridden in snow and loose sand with my slicks, not as good as knobbies, but still rideable to a degree.

I prefer the MTB with slicks for commuting over a road bike - It gives you a lot more flexibility on where you can ride.

I'm with Deleriou5 The "numerous bikes" option is preferable to to having 1 bike try to do everything. The more bikes I have, the happier I am! :D

Please note:
For the viewing non-trekkie audience.....assimiliated = ADDICTED!!!!

You don't need new rims unless you're trying to use really skinny tires. Something like an Avocet Fasgrip; comes in several sizes, just get the narrowest size that fits your rims.

RichC

Thanks yall ! Sounds like new tubes and tires is the way I should go.

i have panaracer paselas on my ride; the conti grand prix is supposed to be nice. i think the specialized tires can pump up to 100 PSI. that's NICE!!

I have some generic 1.5" slicks ($10 each at nashbar) on one of my mtn bikes, max PSI is 80, but they ride great. I honestly can ride 5 - 7MPH faster with slicks on the mtn bike then the older 2.1" knobbies.

My commuter and errand bike is an older nonshock front fork bike with richie tom slicks in the 1 inch size. I use 650 presta valve tubes in these, as 1 x 26 tubes are sorta hard to come by.
I can average within 3-5 mph what I do on my road bike, even better if I'm on flat roads and no wind. The mtb is slower to get up to speed and slower on climbs but I enjoy riding it. I also don't think twice about jumping RR tracks and curbs with this bike!;)

Another good slick tire for your mtb would be a set of tioga city slickers. I used these on my mtb a few years ago, I think you can still get these at www.nashbar.com.

I'm doing just fine with a set of Specialized Nimbus EX's on my '99 Hardrock FS Comp commuter bike.