New tyres or new Bike on C2W?

[HappyMidget]

So in the last few weeks I have gotten back into cycling to work due to office relocation. Distance is 3.2 miles. I am currently using my old bike I got on C2W in 2008. A Specialized Rockhopper hard tail. I used to commute from Streatham Hill to Regent St on it so about 6.5 miles for a couple of years so know I can handle it. But just wondered what the general consensus would be to changing from the 26x2 knobbly tyres to something more road focused, or going with a more road focused bike on C2W. Higher rate tax payer.

[stargazer30]

A set of faster rolling tyres like a continental double fighter would set you back less than £40 and would make road riding easier. Not worth using the C2W scheme for these. Your commute is very short so even though a MTB is not suited to this style of cycling, its no big deal. Its not worth buying a shinny new road or gravel bike unless you wanna cycle more miles for pleasure/fitness too.

[HappyMidget]

I think that was where I was kinda thinking. But if I decided I won't do any off road (I haven't done any since I got the bike) would it not be better to sell this one and then get something more suited? I literally haven't been on the bike for at least 7 years.

[ecsrobin]

I own a mountain bike and a cyclocross bike, I find I’m faster on the Mountainbike in built up areas due to the riding position being higher. (Obviously we’re all different).

But as you haven’t ridden for so long and assume you’ve not owned a road style bike I’d go with the poster above and swap the tyres and pay for a service from a local shop.

[HappyMidget]

Random question, I have always had wide handled BMX, MTB etc. How hard is the transition to narrow drop bars? Downhill i can hold the bars by the middle real easy, just never done any slow speed maneuvering with narrow bars.

[Donbot]

If you have the space and money and want a new bike, the only correct answer is to buy another bike.

Probably took me a couple weeks to feel completely comfortable with road bars.

[HappyMidget]

Donbot said:

If you have the space and money and want a new bike, the only correct answer is to buy another bike.

Probably took me a couple weeks to feel completely comfortable with road bars.

What would be a good entry level road bike be?

[Donbot]

B-twin
Carrera
Spec Allez

[HappyMidget]

Donbot said:

B-twin
Carrera
Spec Allez

Sorry, specific models. I could ask my sister who does Iron-mans, but I don't like her and her bikes cost 10k+

[Donbot]

I can only really suggest brands without knowing what sort of budget you are looking at and if you require disk brakes or not.

A btwin triban or similar will be fine if you are looking at something with rim brakes <£500.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/road-bike-triban-rc-...

I haven't had good luck with mechanical brakes on previous bikes, and full hydraulics on a roadie are still very expensive afaiaa.

[loskie]

I have a 2005 Rockhopper. Had Panaracer Fire on changed to Schwable Hurricane ( a bit like double fighter suggested above)
Made it a completely different, much faster bike and great for tarmac and/or a workout.

I have a couple of older bikes 2001 Scott Atacama and the 05Rockhopper. Plus 2 newer bikes. 2020 Giant Contend and 2022 Toughroad. The older bikes are far superior in quality of components.

[HappyMidget]

Cheers guys. Will go with the change of tyres option first, glad it wasn't a daft question tbh.

[HappyMidget]

Update. I fitted the Conti's last night. Really happy with them on this morning's commute. Fastest ride into work so far by a comfortable margin

Also helps wearing shorts and t-shirt compared to jeans and hoody (Yesterday was shorts and t-shirt so explains that uptick)

[catso]

Road tyres on a MTB work well for me. I ride at least 8 miles a day on an old Specialized Hardrock and the road surfaces around here can be a bit 'rustic'.

I'm long past riding spindly-framed, narrow wheeled, drop-handlebar bikes with razor-blade seats. Tyres by Scwhalbe chosen, primarily for their puncture resistance as come hedge-trimming time, punctures can be (and have been) a daily occurrence.

My riding is for exercise/enjoyment, I'm not bothered about the weight of the bike, setting times or what anyone thinks, I just find the more upright stance, wider tyres & more robust bike to my liking and the road tyres make a huge difference to the way the bike rolls, grips and feels plus they're much quieter.

[deckster]

The answer is to buy a new bike. 100%.

Now, what was the question again?

[JayRidesBikes]

If you wanted to try a drop bar road bike you could just pick up a well looked after Carrera (something like the black and yellow TDF one) for about £80 - £120 off Facebook market place and give it a go. If you find you enjoy riding a road bike you could always sell the Carrera back on Facebook and get something you like the look of with your C2W scheme.

[z4RRSchris]

Higher rate tax the answer is always buy the new bike on c2w with your 48.5% discount.

You can always sell it and make a profit.

N+1

[HappyMidget]

z4RRSchris said:

Higher rate tax the answer is always buy the new bike on c2w with your 48.5% discount.

You can always sell it and make a profit.

N+1

Also a very good answer as yes I am on higher rate

[z4RRSchris]

I would recommend SWorks SL7, or pina F12