MTB'er considering a road bike. Which one?

[caiss4]

So I've been riding 26 and 29'er MTB's for the past 6 years and average 2,500 - 3,000kms per year.

One of the guys I ride with regularly has proposed we do a charity road ride next summer (110 miles). Now, I'm up for this as in terms of fitness I don't see any problem, however, is my 29'er with slicks a viable option?

To be honest, I'm taking this as an opportunity to dip my toe in to road riding (I can see some advantages in keeping up regular rides in winter for example). The question is if I go road what sort of bike should I go for?

I really don't want to throw a lot of money at it (my max budget is £400) and am quite happy to go second-hand. I've been looking at Giant Defy's and Cannondale Synapse for example but I really don't know what would suit a 55 year old who last sat on a road bike 40 years ago.

I'd value any advice and suggestions!

[Dr Imran T]

Get a dedicated road bike either flatbar or drop bars.

How flexible are you? I would advise trying out a few drop bar bikes with varying levels of geometry. If you're not comfortable on a more race orientated bike with aggressive geometry then I would suggest a 'touring' type bike/frame.

If you can't get on with drop bars then a good flatbar road bike will be OK. Perhaps not as efficient as a dropbar from an aero perspective but still pretty decent.

Depending on how fit you are or if you live in a hilly area it might be worth looking at a compact chainset. Also pick a cassette accordingly, although these two components can be easy enough to change.

£400 will get you a good 2nd hand bike. If buying second hand test the bike first - otherwise you may spend a lot of money fixing it...

search the forum too - this question often comes up. Someone linked a bike[out of stock iirc] offered by Merlin the other week and it was a super bike for the money.

HTH

[Dr Imran T]

Merlin own brand with 10% off until midnight tonight. The other one as discussed on here last week is sold out.

http://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-maven-road-bike...

[hornetrider]

I bought my first road bike this summer after mountain biking for years. Only spent 320 odd on a B'Twin Triban after they were recommended on here, but it feels like a rocket ship compared to my mountain bikes on slicks.

[Birdthom]

Just to be awkward, I have recently been using a hardtail 29er on knobblies for commuting and I've been very surprised by how fast it is everywhere except uphill. It would be quite something on slicks. Not as fast as the road bike, but pretty impressive. If you're not used to a roadie and you're going in at the bottom end of the market then I wouldn't bother for a single event. If you want a road bike anyway and this is just an excuse then go for it by all means. I really wouldn't bother with a cheap hybrid over a 29er on slicks though.

[TwistingMyMelon]

I ride on 2 x road bikes and a MTB with slicks, once you do rides over 30 miles you really notice the difference, over 60 miles your really notice in how efficient road bikes are. Under 20 miles my times are similar unless I am trying, then a road bike is faster. If you are all on MTBs with slicks and aiming for 14/15 mpg average then that fine, but if everyone else is on road bikes come 50 miles you will hate them!

Are you familiar with bikes? I would be tempted by second hand I got a Wilier a few years ago £1000 new , ridden once, I paid the guy £350, done a fair few 100-200 mile rides on it.

[caiss4]

Dr Imran T said:

Get a dedicated road bike either flatbar or drop bars.

How flexible are you? I would advise trying out a few drop bar bikes with varying levels of geometry. If you're not comfortable on a more race orientated bike with aggressive geometry then I would suggest a 'touring' type bike/frame.

If you can't get on with drop bars then a good flatbar road bike will be OK. Perhaps not as efficient as a dropbar from an aero perspective but still pretty decent.

Depending on how fit you are or if you live in a hilly area it might be worth looking at a compact chainset. Also pick a cassette accordingly, although these two components can be easy enough to change.

£400 will get you a good 2nd hand bike. If buying second hand test the bike first - otherwise you may spend a lot of money fixing it...

search the forum too - this question often comes up. Someone linked a bike[out of stock iirc] offered by Merlin the other week and it was a super bike for the money.

HTH

Interesting that you raise the question of flexibility. This is probably my greatest concern and I don't think I would be looking for a particularly aggressive geometry so a touring style would be more appropriate.

The area I ride offers climbs of typically 80m to 120m with gradients up to 5% (equally for road or MTB) plus the charity ride offers one climb of at least 160m with probably an average gradient of 10 - 15% so choosing the right gearing will be important.

[caiss4]

To Birdthom:

I recently changed form an aluminium 26" to a composite 29'er and I truly appreciate the difference in performance with Strava times plunging so I accept that as a one-off running slicks might be a possibility.

But as TMM highlights in the next post I would probably notice the difference over 110 miles. For the record my longest ride to date was 120kms on my 26" but there was not a great deal of climbing involved. On another occasion I did 80kms with a mate riding a road bike. Aside from struggling to keep him in sight we finished with me on my chin strap and him as fresh as a daisy (plus he's 13 years older than me!)

Anyway I think I'm looking for a permanent arrangement as at this time of year a little more tarmac is quite appealing compared to miles of Salisbury Plain mud.

[Silver940]

I've done 7k miles on one of these in the last 2 years along side mountain biking. Comfortable geometry, seems to have stood up to all weathers etc quite well. Tyres were a weak spot and I changed the saddle but I've really enjoyed it.

Its done century rides ok, been up Hardknott Pass, had some good times.

Bargain at the moment

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z95-sora-2014/

[TwistingMyMelon]

Silver940 said:

I've done 7k miles on one of these in the last 2 years along side mountain biking. Comfortable geometry, seems to have stood up to all weathers etc quite well. Tyres were a weak spot and I changed the saddle but I've really enjoyed it.

Its done century rides ok, been up Hardknott Pass, had some good times.

Bargain at the moment

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z95-sora-2014/

Cant really go wrong with that, gears would be all you would ever need up steep hilss (34/32!!!) , bit "old skool" and I'd rather go SH, but for the OP its a great start

[Dr Imran T]

Dr Imran T said:

Merlin own brand with 10% off until midnight tonight. The other one as discussed on here last week is sold out.

http://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-maven-road-bike...

I would go for this [Merlin] over the felt bike.

has a more modern BB [external] bearings..

Groupset is similar in that SORA but has a better suited road cassette.

cheers

[paulmaurice99]

For that money you really can't do better than B'TWIN Triban. I had a 3 which was under £300 and great until it was nicked, now looking at 500SE to replace it which is currently £350. 5 star ratings everywhere.
Alternatively Rutland cycling is doing the Giant Defy 3 for 449..

[caiss4]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I need to get my backside on a drop bar bike asap and if it feels OK then the Felt or Triban look on the money. Otherwise it'll be a straight bar alternative!

[Silver940]

TwistingMyMelon said:

Cant really go wrong with that, gears would be all you would ever need up steep hilss (34/32!!!) , bit "old skool" and I'd rather go SH, but for the OP its a great start

I did use that gear once up harknott pass. Was very handy!