Converting MTB for Commuting

Snickit

So, I have an old MTB in the shed I would like to get a bit more commuter friendly.
Right now I have the No.1 free mod done, wore the wheel (but only in the rear ) to a slick:D
Problems with the bike:
Hub is in tatters. (Wheel wobbles although its tight)
Breaks are non existant in the rear, poor up front.
Tyres on it are knobbly and worn.
Gears and chain are probably a bit mucky and rusty.

AFAIK everything else is fairly sound on it.
Could anyone reccomend good CHEAP wheels (or is it just hub?) tyres, break pads for it? From an online store with cheap shipping preferably.
It has bullhorn (best name I can give 'em) on the front which I find quite comfortable for plan to keep the same handlebars.
I'l try grab a picture of it. It is probably a piece of junk though:rolleyes:.
Oh, Are there any comfortable cheap saddles? Current one is goes to rather extreme levels of discomfort:mad:

Pics:

dave.obrien

Snickit wrote: »

So, I have an old MTB in the shed I would like to get a bit more commuter friendly.
Right now I have the No.1 free mod done, wore the wheel (but only in the rear ) to a slick:D
Problems with the bike:
Hub is in tatters. (Wheel wobbles although its tight)
Breaks are non existant in the rear, poor up front.
Tyres on it are knobbly and worn.
Gears and chain are probably a bit mucky and rusty.

AFAIK everything else is fairly sound on it.
Could anyone reccomend good CHEAP wheels (or is it just hub?) tyres, break pads for it? From an online store with cheap shipping preferably.
It has bullhorn (best name I can give 'em) on the front which I find quite comfortable for plan to keep the same handlebars.
I'l try grab a picture of it. It is probably a piece of junk though:rolleyes:.
Oh, Are there any comfortable cheap saddles? Current one is goes to rather extreme levels of discomfort:mad:

Chain Reaction Cycles has free delivery, but you might do well to consider a new bike (hybrid for commuting). The cost of a pair of wheels, tires, saddle, plus the new break pads, cables, possible brake block, rear cassette, chain, etc, might make a new bike worthwhile, from a price point of view...

Karma

drop into wolf cycles(sundrice rd opp supperquinn) {i can't praise these guys enough} with your list and get a price, then check their 2nd hand bikes, some very well priced.might just be cheaper than fixing your own. rear wheel is about 50 + block,20 upwards...
is your chain slipping? parts on a old bike would be worn down. cost of fixing it my not be worth it.
the same of Richie McCormack on dorset st(by gardiner st junction)

blorg

That bike is a mess, BUT it has horizontal drop outs so you could sell the frame to a hipster for $$$ and have them convert it into a fixie

Strip everything off it and bill it as a classic steel MTB frame.

To be honest though if you have to replace the rear wheel anyway I would seriously consider making it a fixie, would be very commuter friendly. Gavin has a MTB-based fixie.

Brakes are cantis which can't really go far wrong beyond needing new pads.

As Dave and Karma say though ultimately the price of fixing it up well may not be worth it.

Snickit

Thanks guys. I gave it thought on a fixie but am rather scared of the no freewheeling. Very scared
Could I have a bike simirlar to a fixie but freewheels and has brakes?
Also, I do have several big fúck off hills on my short commute, how do single gears hold up to these?

I'v been looking about CRC and seem a hub and some pads could be got for ~£35. Is putting a new hub in a very hard task and so getting a new wheel is recomended?

blorg

Wheel building isn't generally considered the easiest thing to start off your mechanical career with, if you brought it to a bike shop though they could possibly diagnose your problem, maybe you just need new bearings in the hub? Replacing the bearings would be easier than a new hub I think. You can go single speed with the current freewheel and a conversion kit of spacers and a cog if you wanted.

g5hn710m4xpdwy

Heh, switched accounts.
I'm fairly sure I'm going with a fixie now. No freewheel malarky:pac:
Few questions though. Are fixies good/bad for commuting. Is the only way of stoping skid stopping? If so, does this not eat threw tyres at a stupid rate? More so, How do you stop on a steep hill?:o
Think a front brake may need fitting.

Could anyone reccomend wheels and rest of the gear that would be best bang for the buck on CRC?
ATM I see I need:
Wheel + tyres
Cog
Spacers?
Break pads.

Painting lime green and a new seat will come later.
Also, black rims/spoke/hub would be a big plus:) Colour themeing this 'un!

Thomas_S_Hunterson

Looks like a heavy frame. Wouldn't be too pleasant to ride fixed/SS

blorg

Mckenzie Thousands Numerous wrote: »

Is the only way of stoping skid stopping?

Eh, no, you can use the brakes. There is no good reason to remove your brakes on a fixie, it just gives you another method of stopping.

If so, does this not eat threw tyres at a stupid rate?

Actually less than you might think.

Regarding the wheels I will leave that to someone more knowledgable, you might need to get a wheel built as fixed 26" wheels are not that common. Alternatively you could stick a 700c wheel on the back but it would need to have a MTB width rear axle, you couldn't just buy a track rear and stick it on. This would also raise the rear of the bike and change the riding position

RobFowl

Hate to be blunt Snickit but that's a piece of junk. Dump it and buy a second hand or new one online. The money you'd spend fixing it would be far more than its worth.:(

BostonB

Unless the bike was in good nick to start with I don't see the point. My MTB was old but in good nick and now after about a year of commuting on it, I would say you've better off even on a cheap hybrid than trying to save a MTB thats worth €50.