Mountain Biking - New wheels to make hybrid better on trail?

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Tullamore
06-11-07, 04:04 PM
Hi folks

Here we go. I use a hybrid for a commute. A ridgeback meteor. I've replaced the pedals and stem and bars to clean up the lines (hated the adjustable stem so have a quill fixed in, easton bars and dmr pedals - thank you eBay) but want some smaller, sturdier wheels than 700c x 38 which they are at present. What is the best size to go to. Can I drop to 26"? 28" or are they road fragile too? I'm not murdering it. I don't pretend I have a mtb but I do ride on park trails (lots of sand, gravel and bumpy) and pretty beat up Thames towpath and the commuter wheels feel a trifle fragile. Especially the back. Using good Kendra tyres - semi slicks with good grip - figure it is easier to swap wheels out than tyres every time i want to go off asphalt! Anyone able to help? Am I even in the right forum?

Thanks

T

BugsInMyTeeth
06-11-07, 04:08 PM
This doesn't help you, at all... but it really sounds like you want a proper mountain bike.

After all the modification, what's left of your bike that is still a 'hybrid'?
Tullamore
06-11-07, 04:29 PM
I guess the bit that is really light, that has mudguards, panniers iand a fast commute for work and.. err.. thats about it. I see your point though. I took - maybe - some biased advice. It would have been easier to change the tyres on a mountain bike. Only issue is I can't afford a new bike and I can't afford the depreciation on selling this one. Sort of caught between a rock and a hard place. Though not with these wheels ideally.

shiggy
06-11-07, 10:47 PM
Hi folks

Here we go. I use a hybrid for a commute. A ridgeback meteor. I've replaced the pedals and stem and bars to clean up the lines (hated the adjustable stem so have a quill fixed in, easton bars and dmr pedals - thank you eBay) but want some smaller, sturdier wheels than 700c x 38 which they are at present. What is the best size to go to. Can I drop to 26"? 28" or are they road fragile too? I'm not murdering it. I don't pretend I have a mtb but I do ride on park trails (lots of sand, gravel and bumpy) and pretty beat up Thames towpath and the commuter wheels feel a trifle fragile. Especially the back. Using good Kendra tyres - semi slicks with good grip - figure it is easier to swap wheels out than tyres every time i want to go off asphalt! Anyone able to help? Am I even in the right forum?

Thanks

T
Just fit the biggest 700c knobbies that will fit in your frame/fork. You are stuck with the wheel size.
Tullamore
06-12-07, 12:34 AM
Bugger. So be it. Many thanks. T