Cross wheels and tires on a hardtail mountain bike?
#1
commu*ist spy
Thread Starter
Cross wheels and tires on a hardtail mountain bike?
I’m thinking about selling my precious caadx for the sake of reducing my stable, and using the mountain bike for most of my off roading. I can probably put thicker tires on my road bike and use that for light gravelling. For heavier stuff, I’m thinking of just using a cross wheelset and 35mm tires on my mountain bike. I can see the main drawbacks being
1. Heavier weight of suspension fork
2. Upright and spread out geometry so much worse aerodynamics
On the other hand, I would enjoy riding my less expensive, more durable mountain bike around, and not have to worry about crashing too much. I’d also like to see if anyone have experience doing this type of stuff, whether it’s gravelling, single track, or more technical stuff, as well as recreational vs competitive activities. What have you noticed?
1. Heavier weight of suspension fork
2. Upright and spread out geometry so much worse aerodynamics
On the other hand, I would enjoy riding my less expensive, more durable mountain bike around, and not have to worry about crashing too much. I’d also like to see if anyone have experience doing this type of stuff, whether it’s gravelling, single track, or more technical stuff, as well as recreational vs competitive activities. What have you noticed?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 506
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 101 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times
in
33 Posts
I don’t think either of those two things are issues if you aren’t trying to win races. If you are trying to win a race (or keep up with a fast group ride) they matter.
My observations from my limited experience riding a MTB on the road:
1. Locking out a fork will help.
2. That, coupled with having the same tires as your road bike will likely get you close to the speed (per effort) of your road bike. You can swap stems/bars to adjust the position for aero gains.
3. Gearing might matter, MTBs aren’t usually geared for high speed, but likely a minor issue if you’re not a competitive rider.
4. Biggest issue for me: flat bars aren’t fun for long road/gravel rides due to hand fatigue/numbness. There are many “alt” MTB bars, bar end grips, etc that you can try...I use the Jones Loop bar on my 29er.
My observations from my limited experience riding a MTB on the road:
1. Locking out a fork will help.
2. That, coupled with having the same tires as your road bike will likely get you close to the speed (per effort) of your road bike. You can swap stems/bars to adjust the position for aero gains.
3. Gearing might matter, MTBs aren’t usually geared for high speed, but likely a minor issue if you’re not a competitive rider.
4. Biggest issue for me: flat bars aren’t fun for long road/gravel rides due to hand fatigue/numbness. There are many “alt” MTB bars, bar end grips, etc that you can try...I use the Jones Loop bar on my 29er.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,863
Bikes: too many of all kinds
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1147 Post(s)
Liked 415 Times
in
335 Posts
personally, I wouldn't go below 40mm. Not much of an advantage going lower, unless you are a real weight weenie. I use Rambler 40's and they are lighter than many 35mm cyclocross tires. I do also really like my 60mm G-Ones for gravel (super cush!!!)
Depends on the bike.
My mountain bike has narrow bars, large gear spread (3x), Ergon bar ends, and sometimes an aero bar. Works great.
Modern mountain bikes are long, low, slack. They may have limited gearing, wheel flop at lower speeds, super wide handlebars.
Shock lockout may be nice on hardpack, but some roads would benefit from a little shock action - especially at higher speed downhills.
For long rides I'll use aerobars. Mountain bikes make great gravel bikes if set up right. Although I'll do 25mph at the velodrome, I'm doing 15mph on longer gravel rides. At that speed, aero isn't such a big deal, but comfort is.
Depends on the bike.
My mountain bike has narrow bars, large gear spread (3x), Ergon bar ends, and sometimes an aero bar. Works great.
Modern mountain bikes are long, low, slack. They may have limited gearing, wheel flop at lower speeds, super wide handlebars.
Shock lockout may be nice on hardpack, but some roads would benefit from a little shock action - especially at higher speed downhills.
For long rides I'll use aerobars. Mountain bikes make great gravel bikes if set up right. Although I'll do 25mph at the velodrome, I'm doing 15mph on longer gravel rides. At that speed, aero isn't such a big deal, but comfort is.
Last edited by chas58; 02-01-18 at 12:17 PM.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,863
Bikes: too many of all kinds
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1147 Post(s)
Liked 415 Times
in
335 Posts
I have these in 54mm size (and love them), but if you want something more like 35mm, these are available too. Plus - this will give you an idea of what your bike looks like with skinny tires...
Two Wheel Transit Bike Shop: 700x38 and Change
Two Wheel Transit Bike Shop: 700x38 and Change
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 90
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a dedicated gravel bike but I also have a backup set of wheels for my mtb with thinner gravel tires. Really, with the proper tires the mtb is no slower than my gravel bike and it's sometimes really nice to have the benefit of the suspension fork for when things get rough.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
FlashBazbo
Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational)
43
08-29-18 11:51 AM
trail_monkey
Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational)
17
06-02-17 04:40 PM
eugene_b
Hybrid Bicycles
18
03-01-17 06:03 AM
SugarMonkey
Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg)
19
09-22-16 01:40 PM