Originally Posted by
armada120
In late January I bought a Diamondback Topanga mountain bike. When I got it I was not sure what kind of riding I would be doing so I got a mountain bike to be safe. Since getting my bike I've done only paved trail riding and a ton of it. I feel like my knobby treads and heavy bike may be slowing me down and probably isn't exactly fit for 20-30 mile rides. I was wondering if it would be better to buy a road bike or just get some slick treads. Slick treads would be a lot cheaper but I still have the heavy frame problem. My friend knows of a guy who builds bike for around $400 when you trade in an old bike. I have two bikes to trade in (not my topanga) so it might be closer to $250. This wouldn't be a high end bike but still its a road bike for $300ish. I would obviously prefer the road bike but I'm 13 and I would have to do a lot to try to convince my parents to let me get it. I was wondering if I should stick with what I have now, pay for slick treads, or get a road bike. Any advice is appreciated.
One of the issues is your age and the fact that you are likely to keep growing. Plus, you are likely to sort out what your intended interests are going to be in the next four or five years. Is your interest in cycling likely to develop into something like road racing? Or are you more interested in just doodling around your neighbourhood and maybe you want to turn that into touring? Or will you get into offroad/MTB/downhill riding as most mid-teens gravitate to?
One way or the other, you are likely to need a new bike as your body grows. I really detest the parents who buy an oversize bike so their kid can "grow into it". The bike is usually too big and virtually unrideable, and the enthusiasm disappears.
You also don't mention what age this particular model of Topanga is. I can only see hardback frames on the searches I've done. Aerodynamics is irrelevant in your case, but fit is really important. Hopefully, it is in the ballpark for you.
Given the possible scenarios, you might be better to keep the bike you have for now, put on the "slick" tyres and wait to see where that takes you. Read up what you can on the forums here about bike fit, decide on what sort of biking you want to do, and then make a case to put to your parents on what sort of bike you need to do that.