Doing Sportive on Hybrid ??????

[paulb55]

Hi All,

just like to throw a question around and see if i can get some response.

Can i ride a 100KM sportive on my hybrid Specialized Crosstrail Comp with 700 x 38 tyres and front suspension, although that will be turned off.

If you don't think i can what would you all suggest i do to change the bike so i can ride above sportive ( and no comments like skip it or refurb from top to bottom guys)

Keep the answers within the remit of my bike

 

[native son]

Hi
No idea but I have a crosstrail and looking to change tyres from the 45 s , do the 38s make a difference and do you think the rims will take a 35.
Thanks.

 

[Falwheeler]

I would fit some narrower tyres on your rims, although I've ridden 100km Audaxes on my Tricross with 32mm tyres

 

[endoman]

No problem at all, seen loads of different bikes on sportives, knobbly mountain bikes etc.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

ride what you want. it's not a race and a comfy bike is good for longish distance.

a top randonneur i know (has done london-edinburgh-london before) recommends choosing the bike you'll want for the last 10 miles when you're knackered…

 

[HLaB]

Hi All,

just like to throw a question around and see if i can get some response.

Can i ride a 100KM sportive on my hybrid Specialized Crosstrail Comp with 700 x 38 tyres and front suspension, although that will be turned off.

I cant see why not, you are making it hard for your self but why not!

If you don't think i can what would you all suggest i do to change the bike so i can ride above sportive ( and no comments like skip it or refurb from top to bottom guys)

Keep the answers within the remit of my bike

The simplest job you can do is to put narrower slicker tyres, Sheldon does a good guide on how low you can go but at a guess I'd say 28mm or 32mm.

Other thing you can do is as you note lock the suspension and discard excess weight. You might be able to lower your stem or rotate it to get a slightly more aero position (be careful if you do the latter and its not comfortable you'll be far slower). New wheels may also help but you have to way up the cost.

 

[paulb55]

No problem at all, seen loads of different bikes on sportives, knobbly mountain bikes etc.

 

[Falwheeler]

Chap did Paris-Brest-Paris on a scooter one year

 

[funnymummy]

A friend of mine has the same bike, she's not a road rider, prefers to stick to the trails & tracks over the Downs, But she has ridden in several 100km charity (road) rides with me, all she did was change the tyres & lock out the forks. And TBH...she left me standing going up hills!

 

[mcshroom]

You should be fine.

Just put on some slick tyres (I like conti sport contacts, which come in 700x37s, but there are lots out there and anything slick/trecking/city riding related should be fine) and enjoy yourself. Depending on your technical ability/budget you may want to switch to a rigid front fork, but there's no real reason to do so other than save a bit more weight.

You may need to take off bar ends if you have them for the sportive itself as some of them don't allow them, that's pretty unusual though.

 

[TheKay]

Of course you can OP, I've done sportives and audax's on a mountain bike with slicks.

 

[albion]

I'm doing that twice a week on my hybrid, pannier rack and a no doubt much heavier bike.
Its what you are used to doing that matters more so take it easy if you don't know your limits.

 

[MacB]

the rims on the Crosstrail Comp I have are 622-18 ERTO measurement so should be fine for tyres from 700x25 up, personally I'd wouldn't go less than 700x28 and I think 700x32 would be the sweet spot. The front suspension, even turned off, will add weight and create some power losses but it's still doable. You could always buy yourself some rigid forks for this sort of riding and swap them over.

 

[albion]

ride what you want. it's not a race and a comfy bike is good for longish distance.

I quite admire those with skinny tyres courageously traversing our pot holed roads.

 

[paulb55]

I quite admire those with skinny tyres courageously traversing our pot holed roads.

LOL, YEP,

Makes me think as well as i have 700 x 38c on my bike and i do hit some wicked holes, potholes and general bad roads and think what would it be like with the skinny tyres on

if i was to change my tyres for a sportive the lowest i would go would be 700 x 32's and even then only after i have spoken to my local LBS to get his thoughts