Road tires on MTB, brakes...
07-16-09, 12:51 PM
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Road tires on MTB, brakes...
I just recently changed my MTB tires and put road tires on from an old road bike just sitting in the garage.. they fit great, however the front brakes are just shy of biting the rim, just barely missing, so i can't use my front brakes, my rear brakes are working. I was just wondering how i could go about adjusting the front brakes so that they do bite when i squeeze the handle. I already tried to move up the pads as high as they could go but its still a little short from making contact. The pads are just below the rim of the wheel. I'll post pictures if they are needed. Thanks
07-16-09, 12:57 PM
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Uh... do you mean that you switched from MTB wheels to road wheels?
The problem is that road wheels have a larger diameter. If you cannot reach the front rims with your brakes, then you would need new brakes to make things work ("long-reach" brakes, they're usually called). Frankly, I'm amazed that the rear brakes reach.
There are a number of issues with switching wheel sizes, so you may want to think carefully about whether this is a good idea, rather than just replacing the tires on the MTB wheels.
The problem is that road wheels have a larger diameter. If you cannot reach the front rims with your brakes, then you would need new brakes to make things work ("long-reach" brakes, they're usually called). Frankly, I'm amazed that the rear brakes reach.
There are a number of issues with switching wheel sizes, so you may want to think carefully about whether this is a good idea, rather than just replacing the tires on the MTB wheels.
07-16-09, 01:34 PM
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Actually he needs a shorter reach brake. What size wheels did you put on? I wouldn't expect 700c 0r 27" to fit on a mountain frame but there were lots of 26" road wheels a few years back.
07-16-09, 01:37 PM
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+1 You must have changed the wheels.
You are better off just putting slicks or city tires on your MTB wheels. Changing wheel size triggers all kinds of issues.
You are better off just putting slicks or city tires on your MTB wheels. Changing wheel size triggers all kinds of issues.
07-16-09, 01:51 PM
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And he definitely needs a longer reach brake, since he almost certainly has V-brakes or canti brakes, which mount below the rim.
07-16-09, 06:06 PM
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Sounds like U R trying to create a "hybrid". If your old WHEELS were 26", try putting them back on with skinnier tires. There are a plethora of 26" tires out there from 1.25" to 2.5" width, from slicks to knobbies the size of Texas. You should be able to change the way your bikes rides considerably without having to worry about brake reach issues.
If that's what you're trying to do?
If that's what you're trying to do?
07-16-09, 07:55 PM
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Sounds like U R trying to create a "hybrid". If your old WHEELS were 26", try putting them back on with skinnier tires. There are a plethora of 26" tires out there from 1.25" to 2.5" width, from slicks to knobbies the size of Texas. You should be able to change the way your bikes rides considerably without having to worry about brake reach issues.
If that's what you're trying to do?
If that's what you're trying to do?
Simply put some smooth road tires on your MTB rims...then you can leave the brakes be.
I put some Kenda Kwests on mine and it rides great!
Greg
07-16-09, 11:54 PM
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07-17-09, 07:08 AM
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I installed the Kenda Kwest Hi-Pressure tires on my Cannondale Killer V-500 and love them. Nice Smooth ride. I actually like riding the Killer V almost as much as I like Riding the Trek 7.3fx now.
07-17-09, 07:33 AM
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The recommendations to change the knobby MTB tires for smooth tires on the original wheels is the best we can do at the time.
07-17-09, 11:09 PM
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Kenda is an interesting company in that they also manufacture motorcycle tires... which is why the Kenda Kwests have a cross section profile and negative tread exactly like sportbike tires.
Greg
07-17-09, 11:24 PM
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I have/had/customized a Trek 7.5 FX. Not liking those awful wheels that came stock (who does?) - I built a set from Mavic A719 rims, Shimano Ultegra hubs, and DT 14-15-14 DB spokes. 32 laced 3X. On these I put some Rivendell Ruffy Tuffy 700 X 27C tires. Now that bicycle truly flies! Extremely nimble and fast-to-respond. Yet plenty tough to take those long dirt trails through the northern woods of New England and loose gravel for mile after mile. On pavement - YOW!! I built up a truly custom hybrid that's the best a hybrid can be - except for the carbon freaks. Trek offers a carbon model - the 7.9. But what kind of person would want a hybrid - made for dirt and gravel and road - made out of carbon?? Trek changed their advertising and nows marks the 7.9 as a "Road Bike."
The FX-series lends itself extremely well for customizing. The frames are worthy of expense. Give it a shout sometime. My only regret was not saving some money and getting the 7.3 myself. All that's stock on my custom is the frame & fork, the headset, and the handlebars. It was a whole lot of fun!
The FX-series lends itself extremely well for customizing. The frames are worthy of expense. Give it a shout sometime. My only regret was not saving some money and getting the 7.3 myself. All that's stock on my custom is the frame & fork, the headset, and the handlebars. It was a whole lot of fun!
