New / old cyclist. Hybrid / road / MTB build

[grarea]

Gentlemen.
I am hoping that you will allow me to pick your brains.

I am wanting to build a road (ish) bike. I was thinking hybrid would do it.
BUT, my head has been turned by suggestions of early 90s MTB frame builds.
Now, this sounds a bit more like it.

I am in my late forties, not cycled regularly for quite a while.
(boy those sit bones tell you about it don't they?)
I used to cycle. Most of it was in the mud though, so don't have a lot of experience on road.
(Well, apart from when I was about 16-18 when i used to do a few miles on road)
I already have my MTB, so it doesn't need to do that job.

Anyway, various reasons have meant that the MTB route would be a good build.
1) Sounds great.
2) Used to drool over these frames when I was little.
3) I want to use it for mainly road, but also footpaths. (with a change of tyres)
4) I live in Cornwall. I want that granny gear.
5) They look great.
6) I have some bits that I can use on it already. Stuff that I quite like. (Apparently it is now 'retro stuff' I think of it as 'my stuff'.
7) I like the idea of a stronger frame in case i want a rack (which I probably will). It will also be my pop to the shop bike.

Here is the first picture of where I am at:
Hybridroadmtb 001 by chuffedas, on Flickr

 

[The History Man]

Afternoon,

I'm waiting for a question.

Go steel. Go earlier. The earlier stuff has more road friendly geometry but will do off-road no problem. Lots of choice. There are things up for sale on here right now that would fill your brief depending on how tall you are.

 

[cherrybomb]

Re:

What he said

 

[grarea]

So, to my first question please:

Tyres / wheels.

I was originally thinking i would want to put 700c wheels on this as I wanted thinner tyres.
It was suggested that I just swap wheels which is a great idea.
I have considered disc brake wheels but decided against it due to cost mainly and that I just don't need them.

Anyway, I have been using a Raleigh Pioneer as a bit of a tester to see what I want.
I like the idea of skinny tyres but that is purely because i am unfit and lazy.
However, I have been using schwalbe 35c and to be fair, they are good on the bumpy lanes.
I do like the idea of skinnier tyres for when I know I am not going down those sort of lanes and just on the roads.

I think I am debating the 700c vs 26" wheel for the MTB really?

I have seen pretty skinny 26" tyres. About 1.25" I think that I saw. So, 32c (ish)
Is that right? Are they for standard 26" MTB rims?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-marath ... city-tyre/
For example.

Do they come any narrower? I remember mainly using 25c on the road in 'retro land'
Or don't i need that narrow anyway? It is for day trips.

 

[grarea]

BOY, you were quick off the mark

 

[The History Man]

Rolling resistance is largely about pressure and tread not width. You could run schwalbe cx comp on 26 and have the best of both worlds.

 

[The History Man]

This sort of thing

 

[grarea]

Nice bike.

Rolling resistance is largely about pressure and tread not width.

Ah, that makes sense, thanks.

You could run schwalbe cx comp on 26 and have the best of both worlds.

I was thinking I would just keep a couple of sets of wheels.
I need ALL the help I can get on the road.

Just to clarify, if a tyre states 26" then it fits a standard MTB rim?
They aren't a narrow rim or anything? For example if it is 1.25"


So what tyre do you guys run on road rides on MTB frames?
I want to get my mileage up in time.

Sounds like there is no reason to think 700c wheels then?

 

[jaypee]

Re:

You'll have many more options, frame wise, if you go 26". I think people have adapted a frame made for 26" to fit 700c but it seems unnecessary.

You'll be fine with 26" and 1.25 - they'll take a high pressure and run very fast (if you get the right ones). Gatorskins are good though others equally good or better I'm sure. I think narrower is available though I've never used them.

Some tyres of the same width are 'deeper' which provides a little more cushioning over bumps.

Most rims will be fine but some, particularly older ones (80s era) are too wide for 1.25. I find 1.5 is still fast on the road but will also take some light off-road use but two wheel sets will provide more satisfactory cycling on each surface.

So yes, steel, older style you'll find plenty of options for very little money - a perfect all-rounder and as you get into it you can decide if you want to specialise further (ie get a road bike too)

But watch yourself on this forum! Before you know it you'll have a variety of 90s mtbs, a couple of road bikes, a shed full of frames and a loft full of bits that despite your best intentions you never actually do find the time to sort out!

 

[tufty]

I wouldn't worry about having two sets of wheels unless you're wanting to do real offroad stuff, and you've already said you have an MTB. If it's roads plus a bit of gravel paths from time to time, you'll be fine with road-oriented 26" tyres. Hell, I ride gravel on my road bike, and that's running 700x23 slicks.