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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/simonholehan/7914552880/ ]Dr Dew[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/simonholehan/ ]simonholehan[/url], on Flickr
Only ever had MTB's. I use this frankenbike thing for road riding, commuting etc, local rides where my MTB wqould be overkill (Canal paths etc). So it does get used on rougher surfaces than pure tarmac.
As I'm trying to do more commuting, and my new route is 100% Tarmac (although broken, rough, gravelly country road type tarmac), plus wishing to do a few long rides and try a century.
700c wheels with Deore hubs, MTB style groupset, Conti 35mm CX tyres, LX brakes, Deore 48t Touring chainset.
Its very comfy, smooth, and feels nice to ride. Quite tall at the front, copes fine with off-road, but feels a bit draggy once up at 18/19mph on the road or when climbing.
I am in two minds.
Option 1 -
I get some STIs and Avid Brakes, fit drop bars, maybe a compact double which should make it a bit faster. But its not gonna be much lighter.
Option 2 - Split, sell it. Buy a 'proper' CX frame, which uses Canti's/ Then I can fit one of the easily available cheap decentish road wheelsets. Should be significantly faster on road. But will I lose too much comfort/control...?
Note - bike currently has no canti-mounts, also it takes 135mm rear hub. If there were such thing as decent, cheap factory built wheels, 135mm disc hubs, but nice light 700c rims, then that would be lovely, but there basically is none available. Custom building what I want seems to start getting expensive (although I can do it myself, built those shown there).
How much do you want to spend?
You said it's quite tall at the front, perhaps you could try... ummmm...
I find bar ends on my slicked mtb make a big difference on the road, cheap to try too.
If you keep the bike buying a good set of wheels will make a world of difference
Turn the stem around. Air resistance is the biggest issue for tarmac. Then got some lighter tyres, then wheels.
Option 2, a dedicated bike will have good geometry and ride better, it will be lighter and that is the more exciting option.
drop bars and sti will cost A LOT and not fit as the bike is designed for flats.
As above, low stem and light tires. A "better" wheelset won't make as much difference.
B'Twin Triban 3, £299?
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Decent Italian made frame, carbon fork etc...
I fancy one and I've already got a road bike. 🙂
[url= http://www.cyclingscotland.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Triban-3-Review.pdf ]Cycle Active review. [/url]
They couldn't really be more positive, tbh.
I like this thread so just registering interest here to see how you get on. Just brought myself a Cotic Roadrat with carbon forks which I'm building up with flat bars and bar ends, Askium wheelset and some cross tyres as my riding has changed so much now that a mtb is to much but a road bike isn't enough. Thought about a full on cross bike but decided that the frame angles would be too harsh for all day rides. This I hope will be give me what I'm looking for, we shall see though. Look forward to hearing how you get on.