MTB to Road Bike
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MTB to Road Bike
Of course I learned to ride a bike as a kid, but I’m coming back to it in middle age. I bought my first MTB about 2 years ago when the child joined a MTB club. I love, love, love it, but the weather is not so great in my neck of the woods. Spring tends to be icy and muddy in the woods, and trails are sometimes unrideable well into April. The roads are fine long before the woods. I’m considering a road bike. Anyone got a suggestion? I’m currently riding 3-4 times a week. I have a Trek Roscoe 8.
#2
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Not sure if you need a new bike to ride on the road. You could just get some narrower, low profile tires for your Trek.
If you are convinced you need a new bike, then be sure to try them out first. If you are accustomed to your MTB, then a drop bar, tight geometry road bike may not be comfortable for you.
If you are convinced you need a new bike, then be sure to try them out first. If you are accustomed to your MTB, then a drop bar, tight geometry road bike may not be comfortable for you.
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Of course I learned to ride a bike as a kid, but I’m coming back to it in middle age. I bought my first MTB about 2 years ago when the child joined a MTB club. I love, love, love it, but the weather is not so great in my neck of the woods. Spring tends to be icy and muddy in the woods, and trails are sometimes unrideable well into April. The roads are fine long before the woods. I’m considering a road bike. Anyone got a suggestion? I’m currently riding 3-4 times a week. I have a Trek Roscoe 8.
I have quite a few bicycles but if I had to get rid of all of them except for one I'd keep one of my MTB/dropbar conversions as it is so versatile.
Some examples of my MTB/Dropbar conversions.
Cheers
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Not sure if you need a new bike to ride on the road. You could just get some narrower, low profile tires for your Trek.
If you are convinced you need a new bike, then be sure to try them out first. If you are accustomed to your MTB, then a drop bar, tight geometry road bike may not be comfortable for you.
If you are convinced you need a new bike, then be sure to try them out first. If you are accustomed to your MTB, then a drop bar, tight geometry road bike may not be comfortable for you.
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Nah. You need a gravel bike.
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I vote for you getting a second bike @Fen.
It sounds like you're not done with offroad riding and that Trek Roscoe 8 sure isn't a 20 year old rigid mountain bike asking to be turned into a road bike right now.
It sounds like you're not done with offroad riding and that Trek Roscoe 8 sure isn't a 20 year old rigid mountain bike asking to be turned into a road bike right now.
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#11
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Ha ha ! Yep, snow on Mother's day, oh joy!
So I'm not much on the whole "covert your MTB to a road bike" or road bike to MTB, or hybrid to electric etc., etc. thing. I prefer to purchase bikes which are purpose-built. Saves me a lot of grief.
My recommendation to you, as a fellow "Upstater" , is to go to a local reputable bike shop or sports medicine facility and splurge on a proper bike fit - since it sounds like it's been some time since you've been on a road bike you really should take a hard look at what your physical (cockpit) needs are.
Once you have your fit info I would start shopping. Personally I recommend you look at getting an entry-level or used "Gravel" bike. Don't let the name fool you, they are excellent on asphalt and fairly comfortable. Check out the Salsa Cutthroat.
You should also look at "Fitness" bikes. They feature flat bars and are more upright, like a MTB. The Cannondale Quick series of bikes is excellent as is the Trek FX series. Again, an entry-level or used or "Fall-Blowout" sale bike should save you some coin.
Good Luck!
So I'm not much on the whole "covert your MTB to a road bike" or road bike to MTB, or hybrid to electric etc., etc. thing. I prefer to purchase bikes which are purpose-built. Saves me a lot of grief.
My recommendation to you, as a fellow "Upstater" , is to go to a local reputable bike shop or sports medicine facility and splurge on a proper bike fit - since it sounds like it's been some time since you've been on a road bike you really should take a hard look at what your physical (cockpit) needs are.
Once you have your fit info I would start shopping. Personally I recommend you look at getting an entry-level or used "Gravel" bike. Don't let the name fool you, they are excellent on asphalt and fairly comfortable. Check out the Salsa Cutthroat.
You should also look at "Fitness" bikes. They feature flat bars and are more upright, like a MTB. The Cannondale Quick series of bikes is excellent as is the Trek FX series. Again, an entry-level or used or "Fall-Blowout" sale bike should save you some coin.
Good Luck!
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#13
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Fen needs a fat bike for messy trails, AND a road bike.
Why N+1 when you can N+2?
Why N+1 when you can N+2?
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Don't tempt. Kid1 just outgrew (size and skills wise) her first MTB and got a new one. Kid2 is too tall for his bike (but refuses to even consider taking his sister's old one, even though it fits him) and thinks he needs a full suspension (he only does if he's paying half!) and I'm considering a road bike. I think my family is keeping the LBS in business.
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I agree with the gravel/CX type bike. They cover a lot of uses, and if you’re not racing, they can be quite quick.
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Forget a road bike - get a gravel/CX bike. There is no reason to limit yourself to 25mm tires these days - although lately some of the endurance "road" bikes take some pretty fat rubber. For you, I would get something that takes 40mm rubber and has an endurance type geometry (i.e. gravel bike). I do Crits, Cross, Gravel, MTB, and CX on mine - they are pretty versatile (well, more so with two wheelsets).
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more bikes = more fun
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I find it interesting that so many have suggested a gravel bike, and honestly hadn't thought of one before. I understand that they are good for all(ish) terrain, but what if you are planning to be exclusively on pavement?
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Roscoe is a trail bike. Trying to make it a hybrid like you would with a 30yo rigid MTB just isn’t going to end well. Another bike is a better idea.
That said, I find road bikes pretty interchangeable. Only a matter of how much you want to spend on better parts or a brand name. Gravel bikes much the same. And there’s some overlap, which is a good zone to be shopping in unless you are becoming an outright roadie or gravel racer.
That said, I find road bikes pretty interchangeable. Only a matter of how much you want to spend on better parts or a brand name. Gravel bikes much the same. And there’s some overlap, which is a good zone to be shopping in unless you are becoming an outright roadie or gravel racer.
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I too live in upstate NY. MTB is my first love. I moved from VA, where the riding season is much longer than here, so I feel your pain.
I would absolutely get a road or gravel bike. I have a very strong preference for the latter, but that’s just me.
Yes you can “get by” with slicks on the MTB, but a real road/gravel bike is much better on paved or dirt/gravel roads, IMO.
I would absolutely get a road or gravel bike. I have a very strong preference for the latter, but that’s just me.
Yes you can “get by” with slicks on the MTB, but a real road/gravel bike is much better on paved or dirt/gravel roads, IMO.
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I don’t know where in upstate you are, but a lot of the back roads are kind of crappy, and bigger tires are a big plus in my book.
Gravel Bikes are just road bike that don’t suck when you leave smooth pavement.
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I ride about 70% pavement, and don’t ever see going smaller than 35mm tires. Even if I never left the pavement ever again, no way I would run smaller than 32mm.
I don’t know where in upstate you are, but a lot of the back roads are kind of crappy, and bigger tires are a big plus in my book.
Gravel Bikes are just road bike that don’t suck when you leave smooth pavement.
I don’t know where in upstate you are, but a lot of the back roads are kind of crappy, and bigger tires are a big plus in my book.
Gravel Bikes are just road bike that don’t suck when you leave smooth pavement.
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Half the roads I ride I do are non-starters for them due to the road conditions (dirt/gravel, crappy pavement).