MTB Road set up for end to end journey

Redpeg
Redpeg Posts: 3
edited January 2009 in MTB workshop & tech
Can anyone help me set up an MTB for an End to End journey later on this year?

Im using one of my hardtails, a Merida Magnesium Pro with some White Bros rigid carbon forks - my knowledge ends there unfortunately. Is it possible to build a road crank and cassette set up to get the most from the gearing. If so what items do I need to order to achieve this.

Cheers
Martin Norris

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    yes, buy the bits you need and fit them.

    sorry if you want to know if it will fit then ask here if you want to know what to buy ask in the buying section.

    what do you need? I dont know as i dont know what you have want to buy etc...

    what wheels? disc? etc.....

    think and we can tell you if it will work.

    otherwise try the buying advice section.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Redpeg
    Redpeg Posts: 3
    thanks for your pointless reply. I clearly asked about setting up a road cassette and crank on an mtb.
    I won't bother again.
  • I found that when trying to use a road crank on an old MTB frame the larger rings fouled the chainstays- however, I was using the original MTB sized sealed bottom bracket i.e. just swapping between a square taper MTB and square taper road chainset- with a longer spindle it might've have been ok.

    What would work most easily would be to just change the outer ring on your existing crankset to a larger one- you won't be using the granny ring so the extra range (that the front mech needs to shift) should't be a problem (im guesing- just set it up so it shifts ok between middle and outer). So maybe just buy a 46/48 tooth outer ring? 48-11 ratio would be fine on the road considering you'll probably have some gear to carry and won't be going for super fast race pace!

    I did this and just changed my mtb cassette for a road cassette (both 9 speed). The only issue was that the long cage mech was hard to set up right- it worked but didn't change gears as well as when using the mtb cassette. Maybe a shorter mech would've worked better with the closer ratio road cassette

    Might need to loose a couple of links out of the chain if doing the above. Overall though, for the cost of a cheap larger outer ring ('touring') and a basic road cassette, it definately made for a more useful range of gears on the road.
  • Torres
    Torres Posts: 1,266
    Depends really, on if you have all the kit or not. If you need to buy it, new wheels, gears etc. it may be worth seeing if you can get a cheap roadie for the same money. It will be a lot quicker and more comfortable if you're on the road.
    What We Achieve In Life, Echoes In Eternity