Converting a hardtail MTB into a roadbike

maxgtfc

Currently ride a Jamis Cross Country, which I love, but acquiring a full suspension bike for the off road stuff and will be using the Jamis to keep fit. Any advice on converting the bike to more road friendly. I was thinking new tyres, handlebars and front fork. Any opinions welcomed,

Thanks

Max

mhuk

Slick tyres are a good start but an MTB bike will never be a road bike. Do you forks have a lock-out facility?

It might be cheaper to sell it and buy a road bike although I guess it depends on what you plan to do with it

fluff.

You're going to have to pretty much rebuild the thing save the frame if you want a road bike (unless you're going the slick shod mtb route), and that's almost certainly going to cost more than a s/h road bike. I'd keep the Jamis and get something cheap from flea-bay or wherever, can never have too many bikes

sicknote

fluff. wrote:

You're going to have to pretty much rebuild the thing save the frame if you want a road bike (unless you're going the slick shod mtb route), and that's almost certainly going to cost more than a s/h road bike. I'd keep the Jamis and get something cheap from flea-bay or wherever, can never have too many bikes

You can if you talk to my wife

Not Another Hill

A pair of 26 x 1.5 Folding Rubino Pro tyres will make an enormous difference to rolling resistance etc. I would'nt bother with much more regarding expense. The only other worthwhile recommendation could be lighter wheels (Mavic XC717 on XT hubs) and maybe a rigid, lighter fork. But those two changes will set you back £200 plus.

croggy

I have converted an MTB to a road bike.
New bits:
Conti Sport Contact 26x1.3
Campag Mirage shifters and rear mech.
Drop bars
That's it.Cost was approx £100.
I put a double chainset on that I had in my spares box but you can use a triple if you want.
The result is surprisingly good.I mainly use the bike for local rides as I have 2 other bikes for longer rides.

Bodhbh

Having a punt at this myself as a bit of a project for the hell of it / learning exercise, although probably will draw the line at putting drops on and leave it as a flatbar commute bike. It's not really nessecary, but I'm looking to replace the MTB cassette and front rings with road ones. Couple of questions:

I also need road front and rear mechs?
The existing shifters should work fine? (will keep to 3 rings at the front and 9 at the back).
If I did put drops there are drop levers available for disc brakes? (cyclocross?)

Nick6891

lock your suspension out if you can and get some slick tires, but a MTB will never be a rd bike

father_jack

I'd also consider getting a longer handlebar stem, so you're more crouched. Even so a MTB converted to roadie style will not be as smoother running as a roadie. You also may need higher gearing.

cougie

If it were me doing it - and you need to accept that its not gonna be a road bike....

1. Fit narrower slick tyres
2. Get a lower toothed cassette to give you higher gears.
3. Maybe fit some bar ends to give you more hand positions and slightly more stretched out position.

I think anything other than that and you'd be better off just selling the bike and buying a second hand road bike.

Sea_Green_Incorruptible

Sicknote wrote:

fluff. wrote:

You're going to have to pretty much rebuild the thing save the frame if you want a road bike (unless you're going the slick shod mtb route), and that's almost certainly going to cost more than a s/h road bike. I'd keep the Jamis and get something cheap from flea-bay or wherever, can never have too many bikes

You can if you talk to my wife

You and me both brother. :roll: