Building a road bike

pault9

I'm new to road biking having spent 20+ years mountain biking. Have just done a first big ride (100km) on a full sus mountain bike and I'm thinking a road bike could be lighter...
I want to build a bike as I don't like drop bars, silly gearshifts built into brakes (or other random bits of the bike). I want gears for up hills and wheels/tyres for downhills without worrying about gravel, road imperfections etc.
I'm never going to race anywhere but I like to be quick!
Am I asking too much?
Thanks in advance for the help
Paul

Nuggs

Why don't you like drop bars? They're designed not only for going fast but also for all-day comfort. Drops give you a wide range of hand positions which means you're less likely to fatigue, stiffen up or experience discomfort as the miles build up.

Having drops also increases stability when descending (lower centre of gravity), which makes it safer to go fast. You'll also appreciate the ability to get into a more aero position when riding into a headwind.

Shifters integrated into the brakes make perfect sense and are easy to use in a range of hand positions. They're intuitive and take very little time to get used to.

If you're planning on doing longer rides, I would say that drops are a must.

Monkeypump

Where did you do the 100km ride - on road? If so, yes, a road bike will be far more suitable.

However, as well as Nuggs' comments above re. drops, it sounds like you might have some unreasonable expectations re. wheels and tyres on a road bike. Yes, they can be built up to be strong and resilient (although you'll pay weight penalty over super-light wheels), but you'll still need to show some consideration for them rather than hitting anything that's infront of you.

Have you ever ridden a road bike? Try borrowing one, as it will feel completely different to what you're used to, and like anything there are pros and cons. I'd say stick with the drops and the 'odd' shifters and you'll get to really appreciate the pay-off in speed.

merak

pault9 wrote:

I want to build a bike as I don't like drop bars, silly gearshifts built into brakes

:shock:

mouth

^^^^^^^^^^ This. Failing that, a well specced hybrid?

pault9

Hi all and thanks for such speedy replies
I had a 2 hour outing on a friend's road bike, pretty well specced one but found the tuck position very uncomfortable on the back, especially when reaching for the brakes... I know you can ride on the hoods but this was not really much better...
I can tuck pretty good on my mountain bike with bar ends, happy to go with that sort of system, maybe some aero bars.. just like flat bars with brake levers at the end and some rapidfire or thumbies...
what concerns me is getting a resilient wheel and an old cheap frame that will take a modern wheel, have dropout width's altered at all?
Saw an old Giant Cadex frame on ebay yesterday go for £63 + P&P, want to know if I could build an "acceptable" bike from something like that...
I can't afford to go out with £500 to get a bike which might not be suitable anyway...

I did the York 100, nice ride, quite up & down into the Wolds (http://www.action.org.uk/york_100) not quite an epic ride but a good start. Did it on a '97 Voodoo Zobop so pretty old bouncy tech! AND I FINISHED!! I just want to do the 100 mile next year and think a road bike might make things slightly easier!

topdude

You might be better off looking for a second hand flat bar road bike like the Specialized Sirrus.(other makes are available)
It will probably work out cheaper than building one.
Check out this other thread
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12795980

pault9

topdude wrote:

You might be better off looking for a second hand flat bar road bike like the Specialized Sirrus.(other makes are available)
It will probably work out cheaper than building one.
Check out this other thread
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12795980

Glad you live up to the name topdude! TopTip
Will be checking these out....
Thanks!

Nairnster

Rrreading your original post, it sounds like you dont want a road bike at all. Try putting sone semi slicks on your mountain bike.

rafletcher

Nairnster wrote:

Rrreading your original post, it sounds like you dont want a road bike at all. Try putting sone semi slicks on your mountain bike.

Yep, this. I toured for years on a Trek Singletrack rigid with Fat Boy slicks and bar ends and thumb shifters (now a rarity).

As for buidling a bike, even assuming you have all the necessary tools, beating a ready built second hand one will be difficult if you're wanting modern componentry - like rapidfires etc.

pault9

Got me a frame from here :-) just need some nice bits to hang off it!!
Thanks for the help y'all
Paul
:-)

gilesjuk

Just buy another set of wheels (plus discs) for your MTB and stick slicks on them. You can then swap between road and off road.

I don't see the point in a road bike with flat bars myself. Such a bike is like a hybrid or town bike and they only advantage they tend to offer is 700c wheels.

If you get a 29er MTB then you get the 700c wheels too.

neeb

Drop bars and a low position needn't go together - many people ride on the hoods most of the time, and with the right frame and bar position you needn't have the bars any higher than on your MTB. Although the lower you can learn to go, the faster you will be (due to air resistance).

Honestly, once you get used to drop bars and ergo shifters they are a lot more comfortable for long rides. As well as the variety of positions, when you are on the hoods or the drops your hands are orientated naturally, i.e. not twisted 90 degrees inwards. If you don't believe this, look at your hands when your arms are relaxed by your sides, your palms are facing your legs, not behind you... (unless you are an orangutan... )