Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

road tires on my MTB?

Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

road tires on my MTB?

Old 07-25-06, 11:34 AM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
road tires on my MTB?

I have a trek y-11 mountain bike with MTB tires for riding the trails here in Austin. My girlfriend bought a road bike and I'd like to ride with her but not make the investment in a road bike right now. Could I just buy some inexpensive wheels with road-like tires instead? I understand this would be a temporary fix but if I enjoy road cycling then I could buy a proper road bike later. My bike (carbon fiber frame) is very light so I figured that it could be similar to a hybrid with road tires on it. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!
ivanejackson is offline  
Old 07-25-06, 01:08 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
well biked's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,487
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 140 Post(s)
Liked 162 Times in 89 Posts
The bike uses 26" wheels, of course, so all you need to do is buy some 26" mtb slicks and install them. You'll probably need some smaller volume 26" tubes, too, to better match the size of the narrower slicks. There are lots of mtb slicks to choose from, check out Nashbar, Performance, etc...........I'm not sure I understand your question entirely, but if you're saying you want to buy a separate "road" wheelset, keep in mind that most modern road bikes, and hybrids too, use 700c wheels. In addition, rear hub spacing is different from mtb (135mm) to road (130mm). If you really want an extra set of wheels, so you can switch back and forth between slicks and knobbies without having to remove the tires from the rims, just buy an extra 26" mtb wheelset. Even then, you'll want to make sure the width of the rim is the same as your existing wheelset so you don't have to adjust the brakes each time you make the switch (assuming your bike has rim brakes), and to make it all worthwhile you'll need another cassette, too, with the same gearing as your existing one (unless you want to remove and re-install the cassette each time you change the wheels). If you have disc brakes, and you want another 26" wheelset, make sure the new wheelset is compatible with your disc brakes.
well biked is offline  
Old 07-25-06, 01:16 PM
  #3  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
RE: road tires on my mtb

You are correct that I wanted a set of road wheels/tires that I could easily change out with my mtb wheels/tires. If I understand correctly I would need a set of MTB wheels with the same width as my current rims, slick mtb tires and a compatible cassette with the same gearing. I'm a novice but would you suggest doing this or finding a used (inexpensive) roadbike on craigslist instead? I appreciate your help!

Ivan
ivanejackson is offline  
Old 07-25-06, 01:22 PM
  #4  
More biking, less flying.
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Richmond Virginia
Posts: 238

Bikes: Diamondback Citi, GT Timberline, Roady?

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
I did the tire swap and have not had an issue, then again, I have not needed the extra traction yet. I have two bikes and may put the MTB's on one and leave the slicks on the other, but since they are in two different places (Ohio and NY), I will wait. My own opinion is that it takes about an hour to swap the tires/tubes on a bike. Not that big a deal.
Javan is offline  
Old 07-25-06, 01:41 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
well biked's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,487
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 140 Post(s)
Liked 162 Times in 89 Posts
Originally Posted by ivanejackson
You are correct that I wanted a set of road wheels/tires that I could easily change out with my mtb wheels/tires. If I understand correctly I would need a set of MTB wheels with the same width as my current rims, slick mtb tires and a compatible cassette with the same gearing. I'm a novice but would you suggest doing this or finding a used (inexpensive) roadbike on craigslist instead? I appreciate your help!

Ivan
Well, I'm a big fan of older road bikes, so I'm not gonna advise you to avoid that route. If you're patient, you might be amazed at the quality of bike you can find for not much money............As far as sticking with your mtb for road riding, I can tell you I've put in thousands of road miles on mtb's, and although they aren't as fast or efficient as a road bike on pavement, with slick tires they're not bad, and they're very versatile. It sounds like you're saying you have rim brakes, so yes, just look for a mtb wheelset with the same width rims as you have now (hopefully you don't have anything unusual on the bike now), and install a casette with the same gearing as you have, and once you install your new tires, all you'll have to do is switch the wheels when you want to use different tires. And as far as the gearing, when I say "the same gearing", I'm talking about the same number of cogs on the cassette so it matches your shifters, and it will be important to have the same size large cog (lowest gear on the cassette), so that your chain length and derailleur "B" screw doesn't need to be changed each time you change the wheels. In other words, if you're running, say, a nine-speed 11 x 32 cassette now, go ahead and run that same gearing with the new cassette. Good luck-

Last edited by well biked; 07-26-06 at 07:11 PM.
well biked is offline  
Old 07-25-06, 01:53 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Nermal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Farmington, NM
Posts: 2,308

Bikes: Giant Cypress SX

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 79 Post(s)
Liked 10 Times in 6 Posts
That's about what I did on my old mtb, and was able to do it with the same wheel set. You probably can too, unless you are getting really radical - or unless you need to be able to change back and forth without getting out the tire tools.
__________________
Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
Nermal is offline  
Old 07-26-06, 12:19 AM
  #7  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: pasadena, ca
Posts: 16

Bikes: gary fisher

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I just put some GEAX Roadsters on my Gary Fisher yesterday, and I bet my riding efficiency on the streets increased at least 20% or more. Not only that, it's a lot more quiet than riding on the big tread. The tires, tubes, and labor at the shop only ran $50.

I didn't bother getting new rims because I don't go off the trail. I just ride it around in the city.
orangebang is offline  
Old 07-26-06, 04:21 AM
  #8  
Membership Not Required
 
wahoonc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855

Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times in 14 Posts
I did that for a commuter. I had 2 sets of wheels for my Giant Iquana, during the week it had 1.5 slicks on it, on weekends the 2.25 knobbies went back on I was not a gonzo downhill rider, but enjoyed riding on the local forest trails, and after a good rain you definitely needed the knobbies. Check around on the wheel prices, you should be able to get a decent set of spare wheels with a cassette for
$120-$150. Maybe check you local LBS and see if they have a used set for sale.

Aaron
wahoonc is offline  
Old 07-26-06, 08:38 AM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
mechBgon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 6,957
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 5 Posts
Keep in mind that new cassettes + used chains can result in chain skip. It might be better to just get a set of tires and tubes. Some folding Panaracer Pasela 1.25" tires with extra-light tubes would be nice. The narrow width will cut air drag, which is important. Also keep in mind that the bike will be sitting about 1" lower to the ground on little tires, so be careful about pedalling through corners... your ground clearance is significantly reduced.

That said, you can put on slicks and pump 'em up to the max, and you still can look forward to being dropped with ease by an equivalent rider on a road-racing bike, if you're out for a fast road ride.
mechBgon is offline  
Old 07-26-06, 10:15 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Keith99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,866
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by ivanejackson
You are correct that I wanted a set of road wheels/tires that I could easily change out with my mtb wheels/tires. If I understand correctly I would need a set of MTB wheels with the same width as my current rims, slick mtb tires and a compatible cassette with the same gearing. I'm a novice but would you suggest doing this or finding a used (inexpensive) roadbike on craigslist instead? I appreciate your help!

Ivan
If you are going to go the route of a complete wheelset I would advise NOT having the same gearing. If possible try to get yourself something that gives you a higher top end. Years ago I went the slicks route with a MTN bike and found I ran out of gears at the highend.
Keith99 is offline  
Old 07-26-06, 10:41 AM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
well biked's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,487
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 140 Post(s)
Liked 162 Times in 89 Posts
Originally Posted by Keith99
If you are going to go the route of a complete wheelset I would advise NOT having the same gearing. If possible try to get yourself something that gives you a higher top end. Years ago I went the slicks route with a MTN bike and found I ran out of gears at the highend.
There would be nothing available for this bike with a smaller rear cog than an 11 tooth. Mtb's generally have a lower low end on their cassette (32t or 34t big cog) than a road bike, with gearing that's somewhat wider spaced between cogs, but the smallest cog (highest gear on the cassette) is usually 11 or 12t, same as a road bike cassette. You typically end up with fewer overall gear inches with a mtb than a road bike because the big ring on the crankset is smaller (usually 46, 44, or 42t as compared to 50+ on a road bike), and the wheel diameter, especially with smaller volume 26" slicks, is less than a 700c wheel.
well biked is offline  
Old 07-26-06, 11:20 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
well biked's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,487
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 140 Post(s)
Liked 162 Times in 89 Posts
Originally Posted by mechBgon
Keep in mind that new cassettes + used chains can result in chain skip.
mechBgon has a good point about worn chains not playing nicely with new cassettes. If you want to do this thing with the two wheelsets, you might be looking at buying two cassettes and a chain. Your chainrings should be okay unless you've got a ton of miles on the drivetrain, and have been derelict in replacing the chain when needed. If your bike has been only moderately ridden and/or you've replaced the chain when needed, you should be okay with just getting the one new cassette.
well biked is offline  
Old 07-26-06, 03:37 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Toronto
Posts: 4,063
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
One caveat with putting new higher-pressure tires on an older bike (with older wheels) is that braking may have worn the rims thin over the years. Pumping your new slicks up past 60 or 70 PSI for a fast road ride can warp the braking surfaces or even blow off the sides of the rim off. (yes, I have had both of these things happen).

If your bike has a lot of miles (and braking) on it, you might want to check the rim sidewall wear beforehand.. this can be a big safety issue if the front rim lets go while you are riding.
ghettocruiser is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.