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I used to ride my full suspension mtb when I first did the rides and was struggling with the weight/hills but that was also because I wasn't used to riding as much. Then I got a road bike and I just loved it. Now... I feel guilty of my mtb. I can't bare to look at it.... neglect. I'm gonna ride it around my neighborhood now.
My folding, Montague/Hummer MTB has taken me through the streets of various cities and has served me well on all MR's I've attended.
When it was stock, it was somewhat a piece of shit, but then I slowly switched over parts to smooth out the handling and it has become quite, the efficient machine.
All I got to do now is see about replacing the OEM fork and shit, OEM- disc brakes, and we're set.
Ride whatever you can, I've been riding a rigid MTB for the past month and a half. Tune it up, and take care of the tires, you can usually get slicks for 9 bucks at Performance, it works great.
i ride a MTB looking into buying a road bike...like the others...the hills kill me, its has knobby tires, i can keep up with a party ride but i've been on some rides where everyone was rocking fixies and were going a lot faster than i could go. I still like my MTB though its a great bike
i got it because my brother and our friends all got MTBs and convinced me and my other brother to get one too so we can join them. Total times I've ridden with them since i got the new bike? 1 time and it wasn't even in the trails...so, my brother and i got left hanging we found out about MR and we joined in...now we kinda wish we had gotten road bikes instead...knowing that we were gonna be left hanging.
Yeah, I love my rigid MTB for the streets of LA. It's more comfortable, it provides better posture and is less prone to flats. I have cross country tires on it, so you can hit the grass, trails, water, etc without any problems. Slicks are scary in the rain! I've wanted to go fixed with it for some time, but I can't bring myself to take it apart. Would love to get a Nexus hub maybe, if anyone has one for sale.
Vince, just get some road slicks for the mountain bike. Keep em up the top end 65 PSI and you'll notice a huge difference from running the knobbies. If you do take it offroad every now and again, it could be worth investing in a basic second set of wheels so you can easily swap out from street slicks to knobbies without having to change the tires each time. Beats having to buy a road bike if you don't need to.
I rode my Mt. Bike on the first Dark Century.
It kicked my butt, but I did it.
The slick tires I put on helped loads.
Its been too long since I've been on the dirt.
Any of you west side mountain bikers feel like getting your dirt on at night, I ride with a group every Wednesday night at 8:00. We're averaging about 8 riders each time. Pace is fast. DO NOT show up without a good mountain biking light. More info at the link. Feel free to contact me if you want more info.
Get two sets of wheels as was stated. It's easier and cheaper to store the wheels than a whole bike. Get a set of hi pressure slicks for the road. You can hang with the big boys if there isn't much hill climbing. Plus its more of a challenge rolling with a MTB on the streets.
In one to two years MTB with street tires is going to be the hot new "fixies". Everyone and their grandmas are on a fixie nowadays. These hipsters have got to go somewhere right? That's right! They'll be rolling MTB/Street wheels combo baby! So you got to ask yourself, "do I want to be a leader or a follower?" I'd rather be the pioneer and tell everyone I was rolling in LA back in '08 myself!
Far more practical of a urban ride too I might add.
i have always been thinking about switching to street tires/slicks but i get mixed reviews from the forums/lbs/and ridazz about sizing/fitment and if it really is much of a difference. Some people say it makes a small difference some say its not much different at all and a few have told me that they make a big difference.
I currently run 26x1.95 tires on my bike and one shop told me that i can switch to 26x1.25 slicks and use my tubes from the 26x1.95's. but another shop I went to said I can't do that and if I really wanted to I would need to buy new rims, tires and tubes??!!?? Some of my research has me spinning around in confusion in regards to this.
you guys seem to really know your MTB's and I'm obviously a n00b so what do you guys recommend?
The only reason they would tell you to buy rims, other than to make some money off you, is that your rim are real low quality that wouldn't handle hi-pressure tires. If you have some name brand rims, then your more than likely ok. What are the rims?
The inner tubes you'll have to change unless you were always rolling with skinny tubes.
so 29x1.25 are ok with these rims? [and the tubes to match the size] or maybe i should go with a x1.5 tire to keep the ride comfort and still have less tire contact compared to my original set?
as far as the fitment goes thats where i get mixed opinions on. I've read several threads on the bikeforums saying that they can fit or that someone did it and i read a few other threads saying that they don't.
i couldn't get a straight answer, even the shops i went to had different opinions and like that one shop did tried to pull me in for more cash. which is the vibe i was getting from this guy since i first started to talk to him.
You have a 26 x 1 3/8 rim. 26x1.25 will fit fine on those. Not sure about your inner tubes. You'll have to check and see the fit or buy new ones.
I have rims that are 26 x 1.5 and roll with 26 x 1.25 tires and they fit just fine. It sounds like it wouldn't fit, but it fits fine. Can send a pic to show it if you need it.
They fit on the rims of my Ironhorse, just get tubes to match. I will disagree with most of the people here. Going from 2" Knobbies to 1 1/4" slicks will make a huge difference in your ride. I bought mine at Performance last year for 9 bucks a piece like I said before. I'd give you mine but I donated them to the brw awhile ago.
I'm sold. i'm gonna go find some decent 1.25's and tubes after my lunch break. =] Switching to slicks was something I have been wanting to do just needed confirmation on it. Thanks guys.
I just bought a pair of 1.125 slicks and a pair of tubes at Performance Bikes. The tires are on sale now at Performance Bikes. It cost $40 for a pair of tires and a pair of tubes. The bike sure rides funny now.
For Midnight Ridazz ride I use my Bianchi Rigid MTB. Its got 26x1.5 slicks on it that use 80psi. The tires are tough. the Cranks are a bit longer then is usually on a mtb and the front chainrings are a bit bigger also.
Its great for the party rides, its work for the Fast rides but it works and I get a good workout. I've hit potholes on this bike that would have killed my road bike.
I do like the the higher line of sight for night riding.
So now my hardtail looks strange like yours with those thin tires. It's a strange feel, not quite as firm as my road bike and the front chain ring is kind of small for road riding. I need to keep knobbies on my regular mountain bike though.
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Ridazz Roulette!
Any of you west side mountain bikers feel like getting your dirt on at night, I ride with a group every Wednesday night at 8:00. We're averaging about 8 riders each time. Pace is fast. DO NOT show up without a good mountain biking light. More info at the link. Feel free to contact me if you want more info.