Can I make an MTB into a road racing bike?

[Dead Rats]

give it a crack, may as well. try and put the skinniest slicks you can possibly find on it, and at the very least, a road cluster, ie 12-23 or so. ideally, two chainrings somewhat in the vicinity of 39 / 53 are also going to be a big help.


putting drops on it would be fine, but then you'll need levers and shifters, Shimano STI would be the way to go. bear in mind they generally don't work too well with cantilever brakes. they do work, just not all that well.

it won't be as fast or as easy to pedal as a normal road bike, but it will be close.

re: STIs and cantis, IME they are crap with my Tektro frog legs and really nice with old skool M650

 

[allard]

Yes you can:

Gr. Allard

 

[ibob]

How about http://thorncycles.co.uk/audaxmk3.html?
They do a size "555S" - sloping top tube equivalent to traditional geometry 55.5cm seat tube, 53cm top tube.

 

[Rich]

I've got that MBUK article somewhere, Zak Tempest riding a very trick Lavoie ti frame with MA40's cooks cranks and syncros bar ends with XT thumbies on the ends...

See if I can find it and scan it on here!

Rich

 

[Rich]

Sorted...see how I look after you guys

 

[mikee]

thanks rich , enjoyed that

 

[Russell]

Sitting here reading an old article by 'Zak Tempest' on Retrobike (of all places... the irony) whilst my new Carbon 456 frame sits propped up in the corner of the living room waiting to be built.

Brilliant.

Edited to add that your Bontrager is lovely, Keithb.

 

[clockworkgazz]

great article

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

 

[MADJEZ]

Used to help out with local road racing club at Goodwood race track and
there were a few people there on MTBs with 700c wheels/tyre.
They were either triathlon bods or people like the more comfy ride position.

I suppose if you're not planning to do the Tour de France then the
more comfy you are the better ride you'll have.

 

[MikeD]

Im pretty sure I need a custom frame to get a good road bike position.

I'd be surprised, tbh. Not all road frames are created equal, there's lots of variation on top tube lengths for a given size. Shortish frame, shorter and higher stem and compact drops should complete the picture. But as others have said, get to a good road shop and let them take a look at you.

One thing's for sure, if you find road bikes too long you'll find a converted MTB worse. Is it not just that you're unused to drop bars? It's a bit of a shock after many years of flats/risers