Can I make an MTB into a road racing bike?

[Caramba Kid]

MTBs make great road bikes...

What TT bars are they?

 

[JamesM]

On even smallish road frames I just cant get a comfy & efficient position. If I slide the seat forward to bring me closer to the bars, it puts my hips on top/in front of the bottom bracket. And it feels appalling in terms of pedalling efficiently, just cannot use any leg strength at all unless my hips are well behind the bottom bracket.

That's where you want to be, as far forward as possible (within reason ) pushing down and back. When you climb you get forward to maximise power. Standing up gets you even further in front of the BB. Also look at time trial riders. They use in-line posts and slide the saddle forward. I think there is even a rule stating how far forward the seat can be with respect to the crank so as to limit the advantage it gives. Thats why they then all sit right on the nose of the saddle.

If it feels appalling, as you say, try putting the seat higher. I fitted tri-bars to my road mtb along with an inline post and put the saddle right forward, I had to put the saddle up by about 20mm. Now when I sit on the nose of the saddle it feels like I can get all the power I normally get from standing up but I'm in a tucked aero position. When I first set my bike up like this, on the advice from a tri-athlete friend, I was amazed just how much faster I could go on the flat.

 

[Bike Hoarder]

great article

Did it with my old Gary Fisher and did look weird but was pretty good for commuting

Nice work Gazz!!

I like this, does that make me a pervert? :shock: