Help newbie convert MTB into a commuting machine
Discussion
Hello
Due to niggling Achilles injuries I'm going to stop running for 3/4 months and start cycling my MTB to work. However, it could do with a few bits n pieces added to it first. The route is about 13miles (each way), mainly road but maybe some tow-paths as well.
Can anyone recommended me:-
some budget road tyres?
budget light pack?
Anything else that might be essential?
Any advice welcome
Thanks
Due to niggling Achilles injuries I'm going to stop running for 3/4 months and start cycling my MTB to work. However, it could do with a few bits n pieces added to it first. The route is about 13miles (each way), mainly road but maybe some tow-paths as well.
Can anyone recommended me:-
some budget road tyres?
budget light pack?
Anything else that might be essential?
Any advice welcome
Thanks
I put some Geax Laczem MTB City Tyre on my Rockhopper when I used that for commuting. They were £7 each at Wiggle but they don't seem to be on their website anymore.
Unless you are changing at work then mudguards are a must. Even with slick tyres MTBs seems to throw up much more spray than road bikes.
Unless you are changing at work then mudguards are a must. Even with slick tyres MTBs seems to throw up much more spray than road bikes.
Before I got my road bike, I did a similar thing with my mtb for a ten mile road route.
Continental travel contact tyres, the reviews are all glowing and my experience is the same, they are great on road, with lots of off road grip for light offroading. Very impressed with the transformation.
Schwalbe cityjets seem to be the popular option, they are more of a slick tyre and should be more than fine for towpaths etc. Also cheaper.
Depending on how much of a budget you're on, the poundshop lights are better than most sub twenty quid options, a pair of those put out more useable light than those several of my friends had on an impromptu evening ride, but are really only suitable for lit areas. They did OK on the canal path at night but if I was doing it regularly much better lights would be in order. There's a link in the MTB lights thread here on pH to some super cheap yet insanely powerful lights.
Mudguards are on my list, its been a very dry summer so haven't needed them yet!
Really the tyres will make all the difference on a short hop like yours.
PS if you haven't already, get a d lock. There's a kryptonite with extension cable, sold secure silver rated, on Amazon for twenty quid...
Continental travel contact tyres, the reviews are all glowing and my experience is the same, they are great on road, with lots of off road grip for light offroading. Very impressed with the transformation.
Schwalbe cityjets seem to be the popular option, they are more of a slick tyre and should be more than fine for towpaths etc. Also cheaper.
Depending on how much of a budget you're on, the poundshop lights are better than most sub twenty quid options, a pair of those put out more useable light than those several of my friends had on an impromptu evening ride, but are really only suitable for lit areas. They did OK on the canal path at night but if I was doing it regularly much better lights would be in order. There's a link in the MTB lights thread here on pH to some super cheap yet insanely powerful lights.
Mudguards are on my list, its been a very dry summer so haven't needed them yet!
Really the tyres will make all the difference on a short hop like yours.
PS if you haven't already, get a d lock. There's a kryptonite with extension cable, sold secure silver rated, on Amazon for twenty quid...
I use these :
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/26x15-randonneur-id_802...
They're currently on offer for £15 a pair instore. They make a massive difference to my speed over the knobblies normally on the bike.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/26x15-randonneur-id_802...
They're currently on offer for £15 a pair instore. They make a massive difference to my speed over the knobblies normally on the bike.
City Jet tyres.
SPDs and comfy MTB shoes. Specialized mtb sport are my favourite.
Maybe mud guards if you're going to be hardcore and go that distance in the rain.
A proper light. Exposure Joystick maybe.
Can't stress enough the importance of good lights. Look at a decent rear light too.
What's your proposed clothes arrangements..?
SPDs and comfy MTB shoes. Specialized mtb sport are my favourite.
Maybe mud guards if you're going to be hardcore and go that distance in the rain.
A proper light. Exposure Joystick maybe.
Can't stress enough the importance of good lights. Look at a decent rear light too.
What's your proposed clothes arrangements..?
I commute daily year round on road and towpath,Schwalbe Citijets for me too.
Cree rechargeable front light from ebay is awesome,currently looking for a cheap rechargeable rear light.
Two front and rear lights for me,bargain basements fine for the 2nd/reserve set.
Gona fit some mudguards soon too.
Cree rechargeable front light from ebay is awesome,currently looking for a cheap rechargeable rear light.
Two front and rear lights for me,bargain basements fine for the 2nd/reserve set.
Gona fit some mudguards soon too.
I changed my knobbly MTB tyres recently for a daily commute to work similar to your own with these:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/ni...
They have helped a lot, spray up some water in the rain so mud guards are next on the list for me.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/ni...
They have helped a lot, spray up some water in the rain so mud guards are next on the list for me.
Another vote for Conti Travel Contact here. ZERO punctures this year and ride in everyday.
http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle/ti%20trave...
http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle/ti%20trave...
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