Getting on the road

[beakr]

I have a 3-4 year old Claud Butler MTB that I've been using recreationally for a while, and I've decided that I'd like to make more of my riding and ride as regular as possible on the road in a vague effort to get fit.

However, there are questions:

How much better would it be for me to have a more road-orientated bike?
How much would I need to spend?
Given that I'm not loaded, is it possible to somehow convert what I have? (I have big knobbly wheels and supension forks)
What do I need to remember or think about?

[Rolls]

IMO - get some narrow-ish slicks, and put them on first - for the 30 quid or so it will cost, you will see if you enjoy it before spunking money on a new bike to find it isn't for you...

[beakr]

Any recommendations for a replacement for a tyre marked as 26x2.10

[PGM]

http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/101597.h...

I just got a set of these in 26x1.9 which would fit your wheels.

Not put them on yet but they get good reviews.

[itsnotarace]

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/ni...

or here is a pair of 26.0 x 1.0 All Condition Pro for £35

http://www.mailordercycles.com/products.php?plid=m...

[PH5121]

I did a similar thing with an old MTB, i got some Scwalbe tyres from Halfords which cost less than £25 for the pair.

[beakr]

So, what's the 2.10? The profile? How would I know what fits?

[hondafanatic]

beakr said:

So, what's the 2.10? The profile? How would I know what fits?

Width. 2.10 inches wide.

[beakr]

So what sort of tolerance can you fit on a wheel? Is 1.9 my limit?

[hondafanatic]

beakr said:

So what sort of tolerance can you fit on a wheel? Is 1.9 my limit?

It's a stanard MTB rim and you're fitting an MTB tyre, whether it's a slick or treaded, then you should be ok to go down to the smallest width.

I've run 1.5s on standard rims.

To be honest, I can't remember what they go down to, but i'm sure someone else will answer your question with exact details.


ETA - You need to get the correct size innertube assuming you're not tubeless. If you've got a decent LBS, talk to them, they'll advise you.

Edited by hondafanatic on Tuesday 25th May 13:40

[pdV6]

Hell, I even run 2.1 slicks on my commuter MTB as defence against the potholes and so that the odd foray onto gravel paths etc don't necessitate a change back to knobblies.

The reduction in drag is amazing; whilst a road bike would be "better" / quicker, for the length of commute I do it really wouldn't be worthwhile.

[itsnotarace]

beakr said:

So what sort of tolerance can you fit on a wheel? Is 1.9 my limit?

26 x 1.0 as I mentioned above