Turning an old MTB into a road bike for not much money - Bike Forum

Re: Turning an old MTB into a road bike for not much money

Malvern Rider — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 14:03:30 +0000

Cheaper to buy a used hybrid or road bike imo.

I repurposed a vgc M-Trax MTB for road use (no drops as yet) and even with the whole bike to begin with I spent another 200+ just to put some lighter wheels, tyres and winter kit on it. Really happy with the result, don't get me wrong - but starting from a frame and forks is never going to be as cheap as you'd think.

Re: Turning an old MTB into a road bike for not much money

kerley — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 06:43:24 +0000

If you haven't already got the parts (wheels, chains, gears etc,.) then as others have said, I wouldn't bother and just buy a second hand bike for £100.

Re: Turning an old MTB into a road bike for not much money

colournoise — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 20:20:10 +0000

It can be done, but be careful. You could end up with some kind of monster.

http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wmFk8P_G_PA/VdY2p1wh79I/AAAAAAAA6Rg/LT84k6H34Ks/s1600/640.jpg

Re: Turning an old MTB into a road bike for not much money

TheBrick — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 20:17:03 +0000

You can fit 700cc in there easy. It will be the brakes where you need to get creative. Mavic used to do a canti boss converter, but easier will probably be somecdual pivots. Might need long drop dual pivots. Bar wise you are best off with some narrow flats and bar ends. Add aero bars if you need some more aeroness.

Re: Turning an old MTB into a road bike for not much money

MrNice — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 19:35:05 +0000

If it's the right size for you with flat bars, it won't be the right size for you with drops. A parts bin special with slicks would work but from experience of building up a commuter the costs mount quickly if you have to buy much.

Re: Turning an old MTB into a road bike for not much money

Trekster — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 19:05:42 +0000

Doing the same with an old RM frame. What rigid fork for disc brakes? Got wheels & brakes but want to drop the heavy, cheap forks.

Re: Turning an old MTB into a road bike for not much money

m360 — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 18:34:56 +0000

As above, unless you have a parts bin full of oddments it's not worth it to be honest. I priced it up myself recently and bought a Kona Dew from Wiggle instead.

Re: Turning an old MTB into a road bike for not much money

shermer75 — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 18:21:06 +0000

That frame'll make a nice touring bike

Re: Turning an old MTB into a road bike for not much money

mike399 — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 18:18:44 +0000

As above ?. Unless you have most of the parts already, id suggest looking on ebay for a cheap complete 700c road bike. Once you factor in all the odds and ends like grips, cables, tyres/tubes it really wouldn't be worth the hastle in my opinion...
But that just me. Best of luck if you do decide to get it up and running.

Re: Turning an old MTB into a road bike for not much money

taxi25 — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 18:08:53 +0000

You won't get 700c wheels in there so your stuck with 26"ers. Nothing wrong with that they roll well enough with slicks. Unless I had a good parts bin or mates with stuff I could scrounge, I'm not sure I'd bother. Even getting stuff on here or ebay its amazing how the cost adds up. There's perfectly usable s/h road bikes out there sub £100.