Turning an MTB to a 'tourer'
Discussion
Got a Hardtail MTB, its a nice ride and comfy so thinking of turning it into a commuter/tourer kinda bike, just spin the miles away at ease and leisure,
Anyone else done the same kinda thing? Any components I should look at/for?
It will be having a new crankset and BB put in after 5 years of MTB abuse, poss a front deralleur too, tyres once ive worn these down, prob a free rolling MTB tyre so I have the option of going off road still.
Anyone else done the same kinda thing? Any components I should look at/for?
It will be having a new crankset and BB put in after 5 years of MTB abuse, poss a front deralleur too, tyres once ive worn these down, prob a free rolling MTB tyre so I have the option of going off road still.
I modified my 2005 Specialised Hard rock into a tourer. I ditched the pig-iron suspension forks and fitted some carbon rigid ones (http://www.carboncycles.cc/?s=0&t=2&c=43&p=199&). Fitted a new Deore 3x10 group set to replace the tired original, some Ergon bar ends, a rear rack mount and some Marathon Racer tyres.
It is now a really comfy tourer and proved very reliable riding from Blackpool to Paris.
It is now a really comfy tourer and proved very reliable riding from Blackpool to Paris.
I would swap out the suspension fork for a rigid steel one.
Depending on where you source the parts, it could get expensive fairly quickly:
-new front wheel with dynamo hub
-decent dynamo lights F+R
-decent mudguards
-good rear rack
-fork mounted front rack
-Brooks saddle
-Ergo grips and/or bar ends
-new fork
-new BB and crankset, if you´re sure you need them
-front and rear panniers
If you´re replacing the crankset it´s probably worth getting a new chain and cassette too.
Obviously you may not need all the above items (!!) but it´s just to give you an idea.
Maybe an option to look for a touring bike/Randonneur on eBay with most of the bits on it already?
Depending on where you source the parts, it could get expensive fairly quickly:
-new front wheel with dynamo hub
-decent dynamo lights F+R
-decent mudguards
-good rear rack
-fork mounted front rack
-Brooks saddle
-Ergo grips and/or bar ends
-new fork
-new BB and crankset, if you´re sure you need them
-front and rear panniers
If you´re replacing the crankset it´s probably worth getting a new chain and cassette too.
Obviously you may not need all the above items (!!) but it´s just to give you an idea.
Maybe an option to look for a touring bike/Randonneur on eBay with most of the bits on it already?
BaronVonVaderham said:
Had some of those on my MTB when it was my do everything bike, only swapped them off for on one smorgasbord extremes when it was returned to off road spec.Low rolling resistance, great on road, around town, canal towpaths, dirt tracks, never a puncture no matter the terrain, handles light cross country very nicely.
Useless on sand or mud though.
The closest I've seen to true "do everything" tyres. Still in the shed for when I find a cheap set of half decent wheels as spares so I can swap them on and off for round town in the winter.
I run my Kona MTB as commuter (till I broke it!!)
TBH I'd just add some slicks and a pannier rack, if it has front suspension, I'd replace with solid forks
Gear ratios might need amending, my highest is 42 front 11 rear (I think) and I end up riding it in that 90% of the time and never really come off the top ring.
Bar ends are very handy as well, as they give you more options to put your hands and help with climbing.
TBH I'd just add some slicks and a pannier rack, if it has front suspension, I'd replace with solid forks
Gear ratios might need amending, my highest is 42 front 11 rear (I think) and I end up riding it in that 90% of the time and never really come off the top ring.
Bar ends are very handy as well, as they give you more options to put your hands and help with climbing.
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