converting a MTB
- Thread starter memoman
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
I have converted an mtb for touring on and off-road and I know find it far more fun and comfortable than a 700c bike.
I like the strength of the 26" wheels which are fitted with 1.5" slicks from Ebay, £8 each. The rack and the bike with front suspension(to try) was bought at a boot sale for £35. When touring I like to be more upright so that needed a softer saddle and by buying various extensions for a couple of quid in boot sales I was able to get the reach right. The straight bar ends I fitted inside the breaks levers for fast down hills and head winds. Like this I find they are more comfortable for my wrists when off-road as well. But not for beginners.
Recently I met a tourer who was well kitted out on a cheap mtb and he was more than happy with it. I reckon they make great tourers because they are strong and have plenty of gears. Especially where speed is not essential.
I like the strength of the 26" wheels which are fitted with 1.5" slicks from Ebay, £8 each. The rack and the bike with front suspension(to try) was bought at a boot sale for £35. When touring I like to be more upright so that needed a softer saddle and by buying various extensions for a couple of quid in boot sales I was able to get the reach right. The straight bar ends I fitted inside the breaks levers for fast down hills and head winds. Like this I find they are more comfortable for my wrists when off-road as well. But not for beginners.
Recently I met a tourer who was well kitted out on a cheap mtb and he was more than happy with it. I reckon they make great tourers because they are strong and have plenty of gears. Especially where speed is not essential.
superbadger
Über Member
Cyco2.... My thoughts exactly. When you hear about the other bikes around (£500+) and thats a cheap one!!!! You think to yourself 'is this a good idea,am i mad,crazy or all three????' I tried to think past the negatives and just thought to myself 'either the bike makes it or it doesn't!'...
. I look after my bike and its doing okay at the min for a bargain basement Halfords... Oh would i love an old MTB to build up though 
.... That would be fab. 
Whilst I have no concept of the pain and difficulty involved, the thing which concerns me about this is that it's intended for use on a LEJoG. If it was a relaxed tour, with no real plans other than having a good time, then the extra weight and effort of suspension wouldn't be such an issue.
If you need to cover 900+ miles, though, then the focus is (I would expect) more about getting it done as easily as possible.
Along with more info on the bike, I think it would be good to get an understanding of the planned timetable. If you are doing it on an Apollo FS over 2 weeks, then that's probably something which the bike could handle easily. If you have a punishing schedule, say an 8 day timetable, then the bike would be an issue.
If you need to cover 900+ miles, though, then the focus is (I would expect) more about getting it done as easily as possible.
Along with more info on the bike, I think it would be good to get an understanding of the planned timetable. If you are doing it on an Apollo FS over 2 weeks, then that's probably something which the bike could handle easily. If you have a punishing schedule, say an 8 day timetable, then the bike would be an issue.
pshore
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Last contour N of Cambridge
Those tyres are very prone to punctures in my experience.
I have them on my old mtb commuting a punctures were a once a month experience. PITA! My commute doesn't have much debris on it either. Schwalbe marathons (not plus) on my tourer, same route, last time I had a puncture was err errm, I can't remember.
Back to the main topic ....
I have toured on my £250 giant mtb. I fitted a pannier rack, bar bag, bar ends and swapped tyres to continental travel contacts for doing a bit of off road if I wanted. I find it very comfortable but I do run out of gears down hill. Despite what people say, having front suspesion is not a problem. In fact I enjoy riding it more than my Wilier road bike.
