Bicycle Mechanics - Putting road frame on Mountain bike

Hi guys, I'm Conor, and I'm new, I have this mountain bike that my mom used in a triathlon, I love the thing but I hate the frame, it's too heavy, Does anyone know if it is possible to swap the frame from a road bike onto this bike? Any help would be much appreciated

No, yes, but way too hard, but a different MTB frame might be matched to take the parts.
Opposite type of upgrade. Lighter frameworks instead of component upgrade.
If a Japan manufactured bike, yes they are very interchangeble be years\ series of components, threads.
Old frames are kinda like car collecting though, you need to know a bit about wear, inspection, builds.

Lots of work, really. But fun.

>Jef.

Hi guys, I'm Conor, and I'm new, I have this mountain bike that my mom used in a triathlon, I love the thing but I hate the frame, it's too heavy, Does anyone know if it is possible to swap the frame from a road bike onto this bike? Any help would be much appreciatedDon't waste your time. There is too much that won't fit/wont work.

So instead should I just find a lighter mountain bike frame? and if so can you recommend one?

This sounds like it'd be a huge pain in the butt, only worth doing if you're curious to find how much work (and $$$) it'll take to do the job. You'll likely need to replace many other parts than just the frame. It may be cheaper to just buy a new bike when all is said and done.

If your mom's mtb is a full suspension thing, it'll be much easier to replace it with a (lighter weight) hardtail mtb frame. If your mom's mtb is already a hardtail, the weight savings you'll get for all your effort may be disappointing. Nashbar sells generic and reasonably lightweight aluminum mtb frames for cheap. Frame weights are listed. You might be able to compare your current frame with their frame to find if it's worth it.

So instead should I just find a lighter mountain bike frame? and if so can you recommend one?Do you have the tools and know how to completely strip a frame and rebuild it? If it's a cheap MTB,none of it may be worth messing with.

No I'm just learning the basics of bike mechanics. I could probably take it to a shop to have done though, couldn't I?

No I'm just learning the basics of bike mechanics. I could probably take it to a shop to have done though, couldn't I? Enough money will cure about anything. Some things just aren't worth it.Gotta know when to call it quits and cut losses.

So frame replacement is complicated? If I bought a new bike, then I'd end up buying a roadbike and I don't like alot of things on roadbikes, Is it easier to swap handlebars or a frame?

So frame replacement is complicated? If I bought a new bike, then I'd end up buying a roadbike and I don't like alot of things on roadbikes, Is it easier to swap handlebars or a frame?

Frame replacement isn't complicated if you have some familiarity with the specialized tools a bicycle may require. For instance, bottom bracket servicing/installation, headset & stem maintenance tools and rigging of brake, shifter & derailleur cables and your chainline/shifting boundaries, are mechanics aspects which require the most aptitude & special tools.

If you've delved into this , own or have access to tools and are confident, go ahead and have fun.
Even your local library, if not the Internet, has a plethora of detailed bike maint. books that will show you everything(much of how I learned)

A bike shop will be quite willing to do it, particularly if you get your replacement frame through them. Not to be presumptious of your knowledge, but an important determination is whether your mum's bike is higher quality than a one-piece crank, hi-tensile/stamped steel parts Walmart bike. If it is, best look for an all new horse. If you can identify the best quality parts on your current bike, you can sometimes save just those and find a better bike at a yard sale or local newspaper classified to put them on.

All in all, a light wheel set and a light frame provide the best initial upgrade for performance. Look for aluminum alloy in as many parts as possible(including handlebars & stem).

I personally like putting triathlon bike wheels and an alloy fork on mountainbike frames for best-of-both-world ride qualities. I can usually do it for under $650 using mix of new & used parts, but end up with a $800-900 ride performance. I've got my own tools.

I have triathlon wheels on it now. Thanks for the help, I think I may stop by the local bike shop and see what they and I can do.

What brand/model frame is it? What does it have for components (shifters, # of cogs on th rear wheel, etc. These items might help us guide you a little better.

A huffy, I wanna say stone mountain but I'm not 100%, I'll check in an hour or so.

A huffy, I wanna say stone mountain but I'm not 100%, I'll check in an hour or so. Dude, stop now! It's reality check time. It's junk and a bike shop likely would not touch it. There is nothing on it worth putting on another frame,assuming any of it would even fit on a better frame. If you are short on cash,your money would be better spent on lots of decent garage sale bikes that have spent their lives as garage ornaments.

Dude, stop now! It's reality check time. It's junk and a bike shop likely would not touch it. There is nothing on it worth putting on another frame,assuming any of it would even fit on a better frame. If you are short on cash,your money would be better spent on lots of decent garage sale bikes that have spent their lives as garage ornaments.

I dont think that a bike shop can or will say "We wont mess with this bike" just because its a huffy. If they do then its not worth taking it to, and theres a possibility that it mite fit. If it wont its visible without having to take it apart most likely.

I dont think that a bike shop can or will say "We wont mess with this bike" just because its a huffy. If they do then its not worth taking it to, and theres a possibility that it mite fit. If it wont its visible without having to take it apart most likely.I know some that have that very message posted above the service entrance.

So your mom used a Huffy in a triathalon?

Troll?

So your mom used a Huffy in a triathalon?

Troll? :roflmao: Bet your mom has nice legs.

I've used mountain bike parts on touring road bike frames for years. My wife has the same set up. The only road bike parts are the STI shifters, rims, tires and the drop bars.

Al

Yeah, sweat me, It's a huffy oh well, It's also free. Yeah my mom did a triathlon in it. She also did an Ironman(woman?) triathlon, Shes in great shape at age 49. So should I just garage sale it up for a new bike?

Yeah, sweat me, It's a huffy oh well, It's also free. Yeah my mom did a triathlon in it. She also did an Ironman(woman?) triathlon, Shes in great shape at age 49. So should I just garage sale it up for a new bike?So what's a used Huffy worth? Around here you have to pay someone to haul them off.

I was saying, Look through the garage sales to see if I can get a road bike. My frien who is obsessed with biking and fixing up bikes has about 7 bikes and he got them all from garage sales.