bluevelo

I commute here in Sacramento most of the year on my road bike, but once winter/dark/rain months (all 2 1/2 weeks we get of rain) arrive, I switch to my mountain bike. Since my mileage goes down in the dark, I also ride my trainer.

I don't have oodles and gobs of cash to spend, and really want to keep my road bike in the best shape possible and not have to replace the cassette, wheelset, chain, etc. any sooner than I have to (I ride 3-4,000 miles a year) as well as the rear tire, so I'm pondering finding a used road bike for the trainer this year. Problem is, I'm short - 5'5" - and its hard to find a working road bike that's the proper size.

I'm thinking instead that it might be MUCH simpler to find a used mountain bike and put slicks on it and slap on some SPDs for the drainer. What do you all think of that?

Phantoj

How much time are you really going to spend on that trainer?

bluevelo

I have two trainers already - magnetic and fluid.

I'm thinking no more than $200 for a used road bike. This isn't something I'm going to ride out on the street.

AngryScientist 

i actually have an old beater mtb that i put drop bars on (no shifters or brakes either) that i ride on the trainer with a cheapy 10 slick rear tire. fits me well, cost $40 for the bike, $25 for the drop bars, good to go!

Phantoj

Okay, how much time are you really going to spend on those trainers?

bluevelo

Probably no more than 1/2 to 1 hour 5 days a week.

My commute is only a 10 mile round trip.

Phantoj

It might be nice to have a mountain bike for, well, mountain biking or other stuff that a road bike just isn't best for. But if you're mainly a road bike guy, I think you're better off getting a second road bike rather than a MTB for the trainer, because you'll have a hard time getting the same fit.

You could also just buy a new rear wheel and a cheap cassette and tire... what makes sense depends on your budget and if you think you'll be spending 10 hours a year on the trainer or 500.

bluevelo

That's actually a really great idea. I didn't think of that.

Perfomance has their Titan rear for $74 and I've got some spare tires around and a mostly good cassette. Thanks! That way I don't need a 3rd bike and I can keep my good road fit.

bluevelo

Hell, I could just get a new wheelset too...

bluevelo

Thanks for the suggestions again. I picked up the last Forte Titan rear wheel the Howe Avenue store here had this morning, got a GT2 cheapo tire to put on it, and I had a used Ultegra 9 cassette - put on rim tape, tire, tube, cassette, its ready to go!