Road wheels on a mountain bike?

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Ok so this is where I am up to at the moment.

I visited my local shop this arvo, and they have the Specialised fat boy slicks (26" x 1.25") in stock at $35 each. I didn't see any of these online and someone in the thread on MTB slicks said they had been discontinued. Lots of reviews have given these the thumbs up, although it seems there is varying points of view on their ability in the wet. I don't really plan on riding in the wet though so this is not really a concern. I am probably leaning towards these at the moment. The only other ones they had were the Contis 1.3" but they were $50 each.

I have measured my rims internal width, about 19mm. According to the table from the MTB slicks thread, this means I can use approximately anything from 1.0" to 2.0"in width.

I have also picked up a spare set of rims for free, I scavenged them off my a friends bike that doesn't get used anymore. They would be cheap rims though I think, as the bike was something similar to a Kmart bike. The rims are not quick release but that doesn't matter too much (Aside: can they be converted to quick release?). So now assuming I pick up the EXACT same cassette I can have a spare set of wheels for about $130 ($70 tires, $20 tubes, $40 cassette). The only thing now to think about is whether the good rims have the slicks or the MTB tires? I have an argument for both cases:

Good rims - slicks - I plan on doing most riding on the road, probably 80% road to 20% off-road - so it makes sense to use the good rims most of the time.

Good rims - MTB tires - The good rims are double walled and so stronger for the off-road use.

If anyone has any comments on something I have neglected please let me know. I'll make sure to post when I have ridden on the slicks to let you know how much faster I am going on them (currently doing somewhere in the range 20-23 km/hr average on 26" x 1.95" tires - a bit slow I think but I have just started about a month ago).

Thanks to all who have helped me choose, Tim.

Tim,


Have a look a the Conti City Contact Tyres (same casings as Sport Contact) on Little Jackie's Upland. They are mounted on the same rims your bike uses. http://www.cyclingforums.com/t363004.html

As for the cassette, use a Sunrace 11-24 8 Speed on the road wheels. Learn how to trim the rear derailleur, it only takes a couple of seconds after the wheel swap.

Use the older rims for off road.

Tim,


Have a look a the Conti City Contact Tyres (same casings as Sport Contact) on Little Jackie's Upland. They are mounted on the same rims your bike uses. http://www.cyclingforums.com/t363004.html

As for the cassette, use a Sunrace 11-24 8 Speed on the road wheels. Learn how to trim the rear derailleur, it only takes a couple of seconds after the wheel swap.

Use the older rims for off road.
Why do you suggest this combo of tires and cassette? I guess the tires would offer more traction and comfort, and will the cassette offer higher gearing for the road?

Tim.

In a word, Performance! :cool:
http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/tires/city/sportcontact/sportcontact_en.html

Consider flat bars and a lower riding position, this is to put more weight over the front wheel. You may also need to bring the seat forward. I use a set of bathroom scales uder the front wheel to check weight distribution. ;)

In a word, Performance! :cool:

Consider flat bars and a lower riding position, this is to put more weight over the front wheel. You may also need to bring the seat forward. I use a set of bathroom scales uder the front wheel to check weight distribution. ;)
Ok well thanks for the advice. Think I will still go with the 1.25" fatboys though as they are cheaper and I can have them for the weekend. As for the cassette though I will have to wait on that for a couple of weeks anyway until I can afford to spend more money on my bike. If I want to go off road in between I'll just have to change the back tire over.

Another question though, although I should probably post this in another thread, but I go riding around my place which is hilly almost everywhere (hard to find flat ground). So does this have the effect of increasing/decreasing/not effecting my average speed?

Tim.

Tim,

I have lost count of the number of bikes I have removed Specialised and Maxxis Tyres to fit Contis. :eek:

Another question though, although I should probably post this in another thread, but I go riding around my place which is hilly almost everywhere (hard to find flat ground). So does this have the effect of increasing/decreasing/not effecting my average speed?

Tim.Not quite sure what you are using for a reference. Assuming you are using the same tires, gearing will not affect your average speed, unless you run out of gear inches on either side of the total gearing envelope.

Road type tires will increase your average speed as you are losing a lot of rotational weight and not losing as much energy through tire tread and casing flexation over a mt. bike tire.

In the end you will end up with a bike that is no longer suitable for off road riding. What about buying a second bike.

gclark8 - you're obviously a big fan of the Contis, when you refer to performance do you mean they are quicker, last longer, are more comfortable or all of the above?

really old punk - I just meant that since I go slower uphills and quicker downhills, would my average speed be different compared to riding on flat ground all the time. I guess it is different for different people right?

mikesbytes - No a 2nd bike is not affordable right now. If I just change over my tires though depending on on/off road then I should be ok right?

Tim.

In the end you will end up with a bike that is no longer suitable for off road riding. What about buying a second bike.Good point, a CRX4 with a pair of 23mm Conti Ultra Gator Skins would be better value. :D

I've gone hte second-set-of-wheels route. If you're prepared to be patient, you can pick up some good deals on eBay. This is in Aussie dollars, so reduce by 20% if in the US. Postage is included in the values.

Conti Sport Contact 1.3's, 100km old $36.00
Alex TD17's with skewers seondhand in new condition $140-odd
SRAM PG850 8-speed cassette new in box $48
Hayes (Alligator) discs new just under $50 for a pair
Torx disc mounting screws - about $2.50 from local industrial supply co
Although, I couldn't help myself - a set of Hayes 9 hydraulic brakes for under $150 (no discs). :D

I did destroy my plastic tyre levers getting the Conti's on, so add $12 for a set of steel core levers. :p

Hi All,

Just a reply to let anyone who is interested in this thread know what I did. I got the Specialised fatboys and didn't really have much trouble fitting them. I think I have done probably a few hundred kms on them since and I am definately going quicker, in the range of 25-28 km/hr. Much easier to pedal than with the knobbly mtb tires. On the weekend though I did get a puncture, and it took a chunk out of the tire (it was a bit of glass), which is about 3mm at its widest point. Hope this hole doesn't cause any further punctures.

Tim.

I've gone hte second-set-of-wheels route. If you're prepared to be patient, you can pick up some good deals on eBay. This is in Aussie dollars, so reduce by 20% if in the US. Postage is included in the values.

Conti Sport Contact 1.3's, 100km old $36.00
Alex TD17's with skewers seondhand in new condition $140-odd
SRAM PG850 8-speed cassette new in box $48
Hayes (Alligator) discs new just under $50 for a pair
Torx disc mounting screws - about $2.50 from local industrial supply co
Although, I couldn't help myself - a set of Hayes 9 hydraulic brakes for under $150 (no discs). :D

I did destroy my plastic tyre levers getting the Conti's on, so add $12 for a set of steel core levers. :p$426.50 in total

Good point, a CRX4 with a pair of 23mm Conti Ultra Gator Skins would be better value. :DHow much is a CRX4 ? The $426.50 would contribute to the purchase.