MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
I appear to be in the market for an MTB, ok, again, the first time was a Muddy Fox in the 80s when they were the thing to have, after several reincarnations that got donated to a bike charity. Otherwise, I'm a roadie through and through. My grandson (5) has got a 20" now, and I can see forest trails beckoning. I examined the stable and the best I have it's shod with 28 slicks, with drops, contraindicated for mud.
But, I do have a Trek LeMond Buenos aires carbon, a madone-alike from the time before Trek broke up with LeMond, 105 2x10, 55cm frame, radial spikes front, reduced spoke rear, fast and fun but I don't ride it these days. Wondered if anyone had a similar oldie but goodie hard tail MTB hanging around and wanted a swap? (Medium to large frame) I'm in East London
If it's only use if forest trails wit a 5 year old then just put some tough tyres onto the road bike. I ride forest trails around 50% of my rides and I use 25c road tyres (tough ones) and don't really find it that different to when I was riding rigid MTBs.
Or look for a gravel bike. Perfect for light off road and won't feel too unfamilure if you're use to road bikes.
Yes, I had thought of converting as the obvious answer, but.....
Don't underestimate the challenge of riding much slower than natural. Riding around with this littl'un I managed to have a full-on sideways clipless moment a while back: "Grandad's fallen off his bike"
Then, which? I have two possible candidates, both Croix de Fer, so theoretically entirely viable for the purpose. The stainless one is set up for touring, has guards and drops, is my go-to for rides. Off road enabling would make it a fairly major faff any time I wanted to use for its intended purpose.
Anyhow, that's got guards on, too, and the gearing isn't really going to be great for off road, although as I no longer commute it is a real option. But, as it is a total blast to ride on the road, I'm not that keen. Had I still been working, n+1 would have been a slam dunk, but now I'm retired, that is no longer a convenient option. So, a swap seems like a sensible thing if viable. It needs a like-minded but MTB oriented person to make it work, which is why I joined here.