Using hardtail for commuting also

Waesfjord

Hi,

I'm thinking of starting to cycle to work (~10km each way) a couple of times a week as days get longer. I only have a hardtail, so currently not great for commuting with the nobbly wide tyres.

rims are mavic 317, 1.0" - 2.1" tyres recommended for this rim brakes are Avid ELIXIR 3, 185mm front, 160mm rear

The cheapest way I presume would be to change out the tyres on existing rims to slicks, however currently don't know what would be best suitable for me or suitable for bike - can anyone advise?

Would it make sense (easier, however costing more) to just purchase new set of rims, tyres and matching brake disks for commute use, so that I can simply swap out the wheels when wanted to commute or to MTB? If so, are there rims better suited to commuting or do they make any difference once they fit one bike etc, should/must I match the brakes disks and hubs to what I currently use etc?

Would there be any other things I should consider in using a hardtail as a commuting bike other than the wheel itself and brakes?

Any feedback greatfully received.

Rew

I comute 20km each way on a hard tail every day. I lock out the front sus and I have gatorskin slicks. TBH I comute on the knobiles some of the time and it makes little odds so I wouldnt get caught up in worrying about it initially. Changing to SPD's from toe clips made a much bigger diff to my commute.

Waesfjord

Rew wrote: »

I comute 20km each way on a hard tail every day. I lock out the front sus and I have gatorskin slicks. TBH I comute on the knobiles some of the time and it makes little odds so I wouldnt get caught up in worrying about it initially. Changing to SPD's from toe clips made a much bigger diff to my commute.

cheers for reply.

so would you just change the tyres over and back, as required then, for commuting/offroading, and is there any width you'd recommend on tyre?

I've never used clip on pedals, although understand the benefit of more efficeint pedalling, woudl think it's kinda dangerous on a road when stopping if not used to them.

Rew

brian1976 wrote: »

cheers for reply.

so would you just change the tyres over and back, as required then, for commuting/offroading, and is there any width you'd recommend on tyre?

I've never used clip on pedals, although understand the benefit of more efficeint pedalling, woudl think it's kinda dangerous on a road when stopping if not used to them.

Yeah then I get lazy and leve the knoblies on for a while Takes about 20 mins to change them over, just make sure you have a track pump.

The gator skins I got are fully slick and I've had a few traction issues, if I had it to do again Id go for something with more grip. I also lost a fair bit of hight so have to make sure and set pedals properly for turns. Schwalbe have a very good selection of slicks/semislicks that go as low as 1.75.

I had never used clipins before 3 weeks ago and so far there a lot safer and easier then toeclips. You can leave the tension on them quite lose and you can get out very easily. Make a huge diff to hill climbing, very quick pulling off from lights and generally that bit better for cruising along.

Sounds obvious but make sure you have a pump, spare tube and tier leavers with you every day.

Waesfjord

I presume if you go <1.75" tyres, then easier to commute again yeah - why do you suggest 1.75" is there a 'compfort' factor on a MTB, or is that simply the range you were recommending only go to 1.75".

Cheers!

Hmmzis

Around 1.5" should grand for commuting, when going for less the ride will become harsher quite quickly. From my own experience I can say that 1.25" is a tad too harsh.
As for the rims, the 317's will be very good for commuting. Get the other set with sturdier rims and hubs for going on the trails.

Rew

brian1976 wrote: »

I presume if you go <1.75" tyres, then easier to commute again yeah - why do you suggest 1.75" is there a 'compfort' factor on a MTB, or is that simply the range you were recommending only go to 1.75".

Cheers!

Yeah there there is a big comfort difference between my knoblies and my slicks esp when I have the slicks pumped to max PSI to avoid punctures.

Waesfjord

1.75" semi-slicks sounds like a winner. IF I currently have 2.1" MTB tyres, do you think I shoudl jsut use same tubes or replace the tubes also (told you I'm clueless :P:confused:)?

Rew

Tubes are rated for tiers so you need to check can they do the narrower tiers.

1.75 seems to be the upper limit on narrow conti tubes and the lower limit on their wide tubes so you might be ok:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/continental-quality-mtb-inner-tube/

Kintarō Hattori

I commute on and off 35km each way to work on a hardtail with typical MTB tires. It's a pretty pleasant spin and not having slicks hasn't really been an issue.
I'm sure slicks would make it a nicer journey but they aren't essential. If you have the dosh swap them out by all means OP but if money is tight stick with what you have, at least for the time being.

whysomanyhills

I do approx 22km on the hardtail every day on knobbly tires - think of it as training - effort required when your pushing it hard is more than a racer/cruiser if your doing the same distance every day - then to treat yourself every so often hop on one of the aforementioned bikes and pi** past the punters who normally overtake you - Note: This does not always work - there will stilll always be someone faster