Converting a CRS for Ballyhoura

10kdays

Ok, So I own a Giant CRS 3.0 hybrid from 2009. I really enjoyed a recent trip to ballyhoura so I'd like to get a bike for the trails. I have been checking the usual 2nd hand sites but dont really want to spend the money (I'm broke).

Would it be a good idea to get some front shocks and 2 mountain bike wheels with tyres and just swap out my hybrid gear when I want to go off-road?

Is the geometry of my bike different, making this a bad idea?

My frame is Aluminium, so I know it will be a rigid ride, but thats not going to bother me as long as it will be able to handle the higher forces it will be subjected too.

Any comments? Is my CRS as strong as a dedicated mountain bike frame? Anything else I would need to change or think about?

GTDolanator

MTB 26'' wheels wont work on your bike,they will work but the brakes wont line up at all.just buy a MTB your bike is designed for cruising and commuting on tarmac

Biopace

I think your biggest problem could be lack of ground clearance due to a low bottom bracket. I am not even sure if you could get decent mtb tyres to fit with the hybrid frame clearances. A much better bet is to get a dedicated mountain bike that you can swap wheels (or tyres) for on/off road.

Icyseanfitz

yeah id say go and get a dedicated mtb as well, maybe try to sell on your hybrid for some $ to put towards it, as for having an aluminum frame, theres nothing wrong with that my mtb has one and its just fine

dave.obrien

The work needed to convert it to something suitable for trails would be extensive: new fork (disc or v-brake? If disc, you'll need a new brake and lever), wheels, tyres, rear braking system requiring either a newly welded on v brake mount, or a newly welded on disc brake mount and disc brake system. These changes may require other changes, such as new shifters to replace the obsolete one piece brake-shifters of the old set up because you're now running different brakes. All this and then you end up with something that still won't be a mountain bike. It'll be a mess, with too low a bottom bracket, tricky handling and really uncomfortable, and most likely high maintenance.

Don't do it. Sorry.

Quigs Snr

It would cost you more to convert the CRS into a bike that is still not really capable or suitable for Ballyhoura. Sell the CRS and buy an MTB, plenty of value in them secondhand.

10kdays

Cheers guys. Back to the drawing board.