Converting MTB to Hybrid

bibibobo

Hi,

I have a Trek 4300 mountain bike with big knobbly tires (Bontrager 26 x 2.0) on Matrix 750 rims. I'd like to optimise this bike for road use by changing the tyres to semi slicks and making any other changes that people can recommend here.

Here is my bike: http://www.trekbike.co.uk/2007/bikes.php?sec=overview&MainCatID=2&SubCatID=8&RangeID=&ID=211

I was looking at changing the tires to these here: http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=164&idproduct=9077
.
Would I be better getting the 26 x 1.5 versions for city use? http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle/ti%20city%20contact.shtml

Also, would anyone recommend changing the saddle or handle bars etc??

daymobrew

City Contact - nah, go for the narrower (26x1.3) and faster Sport Contact tyres. I put them on my Specialized Rockhopper and they are great.

I don't think you need to change your saddle or handlebars. Padded shorts will make your cycle more comfortable.

rubadub

I had the 1.3's too, they are great. I changed the gears to bbe higher too.

Morgan

Definitely stick with tyres less than 1.5" wide for city use. You should also get a set of mudguards. A carrier is handy too.

blorg

I would consider changing or inverting the stem to lower the handlebars. Inverting might be a bit much with that stem, looks like quite an angle. Saddle and handlebars should be fine, although you might get bar ends if you don't have them already.

If it wasn't going to require changing the derailleurs or shifters I would also consider upping the gear ratios; your best bet would probably be new (bigger) chainrings on the front as 42 is very low. Go to 48 or even 52 depending on what you have on the back.

rubadub

blorg wrote:

Go to 48 or even 52 depending on what you have on the back.

Becareful before spashing out. My old MTB was 48 on the front, I wanted 52, but it crashed with the frame. In fact the replacement 48 I got crashed with the frame too. Needed a new bottom bracket. Get an 11 on the back though.

Trojan

Here is my Trek 4300 with flipped stem and Conti Sports Contact 1.3 slicks - highly recommended.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alrocket/47076182/in/set-1026307/

(loaded for touring)

Trojan

A picture from my previous year's tour!



Note the baguette!

daymobrew

Trojan wrote:

Note the aerobars. Not something I would have expected on a touring bike, though I have them on my commute (mtn) bike (move their from my road bike when I upgraded its aerobars).

blorg

How do you find the aerobars while touring- good as an alternative hand position / to rest your arms or just for practical use when you have a headwind (e.g. less comfortable)?

Trojan

Both as an alternative position, and for headwinds, I found them great. Headwinds are a b!tch when you're trying to make progress (get to that campsite before it closes). We made some serious speed, even loaded. (I love cycling a loaded bike )

bibibobo

Trojan wrote:

Here is my Trek 4300 with flipped stem and Conti Sports Contact 1.3 slicks - highly recommended.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alrocket/47076182/in/set-1026307/

(loaded for touring)

Thanks for the pic, its nice to see a bike the same as mine. Can I ask how do you find the grip of those tyres in the wet? Are they be a bit slippy on corners? I am mainly looking for tyres that will perform well in most commuting weather conditions. Other comments echo what you said about going for tyres <1.5 width. I was initially thinking of getting the Continental City contacts as those Continental sport contact slicks look quite bare on the threads. Now i'm not quite sure...

Trojan

FUD. 1.3 pure slicks are fine. Bare threads are fine (they've actually engraved a wiggle on there to appease the unknowing).

The amount of pressure vs surface contact area is so small for a bike that the water is squeezed out from under the tyre to either side (as opposed to a car, which requires threads to prevent water causing a slide).

A knobbly tyre will afford you less grip in the wet on a smooth surface than these bare 1.3's.

But don't take only my word for it. Do a couple googles and see what you come up with.

daymobrew

bibibobo wrote:

Can I ask how do you find the grip of those tyres in the wet? Are they be a bit slippy on corners? I am mainly looking for tyres that will perform well in most commuting weather conditions.

Two yr old Sport Contacts on my commute bike. I have no problem with the grip, in wet or dry or on corners. I just put a Continental Ultra Gatorskin (26x1.2) on my rear wheel. It is even more slick that the Sport Contacts. I will put the same on the front when the Sport Contacts are more worn. I wanted the Grand Prix MTB (26x1) but they don't make them anymore.

blorg

Don't have a mountain bike but have used 700x26 and 700x28 (both thinner than those) very slick tyres and never had a problem in the rain or any commuting situation.

bibibobo

thanks to everyone for recommending the continental sport contact 26 x 1.3 's for my Trek 4300 mountain bike cum commuting bike. They feel really fast and much smoother compared to my old dirt track tyres. Have them pumped up to 60psi (max is 85psi).

blorg

I'd try pumping up to the max, it's amazing the difference it makes.

Interceptor

I converted my old Klein for city use - Spinergy front wheel, slicks (wide Vittoria on the back for better grip...) carrier and mudguards. I fitted chopped down handlebars and a shorty stem but changed the bars to these riser ones because the narrow one was uncomfortable. The half and half SPD pedals mean it can be used with cleats or without. And yes, thats a bell.

'cptr

Cabaal

Interceptor wrote:

And yes, thats a bell.
'cptr

Is there even a point in having one while going around a city, nobody in a car will hear it.

rob1891

Cabaal wrote:

Is there even a point in having one while going around a city, nobody in a car will hear it.

pedestrians!

bibibobo

Interceptor wrote:

..........wide Vittoria on the back for better grip...

Not sure that this is actually the case.

skidpatches

a bell is vital for cycling through the phoenix park on the main bike path... all those lunatics jogging, rollerblading, walking, pushing zimmerframes on the cycle path often with ipods on.

i collided with a youngish guy's elbow one day. he looked like he was moving out of my way, then took a big step back directly into my path again too late for me to move out of the way. turned out he had his eyes closed and was fixing his headphones. i got a bruise for my trouble, but he got a hell of a fright ... then shouted at me to watch where i was going

i recently got one of those bee bells on one of my bikes and it's funny to watch people jump when they hear it. sometimes people don't hear a ping bell if it's windy or they've got headphones on.

bibibobo

skidpatches wrote:

............i recently got one of those bee bells on one of my bikes and it's funny to watch people jump when they hear it. sometimes people don't hear a ping bell if it's windy or they've got headphones on.

Hi,

I'm interested in that "bee bell" you have ... What does it look like, where do i buy one - is it really that effective ?!

makospeed

first post, just thought I add my twopence, changed my nobbly tyres using Specialised Fatboy Slicks 26 x 1.25 available from wiggle pumped to 100psi, using them for about 8 months with 1 puncture commuting 22 miles a day..

JayConlon91

Ive recently bought the specialized hardrock 2012 and put the conti sport contacts on it and thin mudguards and a nice set of cat eye lights on it and now its smooth quick and comfy