Got a question for ya'll spandex types.

I've got a Trek 970 cro-moly hardtail that I've been using as a commuter for a couple of years ... I dig the mountain tires on the thing during the winter when the weather is crummy ... but, in summer, I'd like to drop the fenders and put on some high pressure tires and use the thing for club road rides and stuff.

So, the question is ... would a 650 c rimset be a pretty straight swap for the normal 26" wheelset that's on the bike now? Mitigating factor would seem to be alignment of the brakepads.

Thoughts?

Kevin O'

Kev,

650's are close, but not the same. Built 650's will probably have 130mm hub spacing; your MTB is probably 135mm.

You can find some decent road tires for MTB wheels. That would probably be your easiest/least expensive route.

...also, I've used these in a MTB "crit" race. They work pretty good:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profil...ategory_ID=5425

I hope that helps.

John,

That tire looks like it's going to turn the trick about perfectly for what I'm looking for.

Thanks for the heads up.

I'm thinking that I might try a set of road rings as well if it gears out too easy with the 26's on it.

I've used 1.75's semi slicks in the past ... which gives a pretty good roll ... but, the higher air pressure of the tire you suggested should work perfectly.

Kevin O'

I've used specialized Turbo/S 26 X 1 tires in the past. I still have some NOS ones in their little boxes. I've also put drops on an MTB frame with skinny tires, and big ringed cranks. It's way fun.

my commuting/snowy weather bike is a MTB with drop bars and usually 26x1.25 panaracer pasela road tires. it gives me the option of using full-on knobbies on a "road bike", if weather dictates.

I've used the Tom Slick, Tioga City Slicker, Avocet Cross K (w/inverted tread), and Turbo S. Never did get a chance to try the Pasela - although a few of my friends used them.
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All are decent tires - but I prefer the City Slicker 1.25 and the Pasela 1.25 because they weigh less than the Tom Slick (1.4) and the Avocet. The Avocet is a tad too 'buzzy' also for street work. The Turbo S weighs even less - but is a tad too narrow for general purpose use.
.

Why not use this as an excuse to buy a new road bike?

Actually, I (basically) did just that ....... but not a new bike .......
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I grew tired of riding my MTB on the roads during the winter ... I looked for a low cost, quality 'vintage' steel road frame ... and finally found one.
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My wife still prefers to ride a MTB on the roads though - the lack of top end and compromise in aerodynamics are not issues for her .... she is on 1.25 City Slickers .. 'skinwall only' she demands ! ...
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[ February 03, 2006, 12:13 PM: Message edited by: t2p ]

pjbaz ... one word ... spandex.

That, and, quite honestly, I never, ever ride the drops on the road bike I have.

I'll stick with the flat bar and terrorize the recreational road riders with a mtb that's fast enough to hang with the poor riders.

There are few things that give me as much pleasure as blowing by some spandex clad rec rider on a $3k Dura Ace equipped racing bike while I'm pedaling away on a bike with a Rock Shox Quadra. Doesn't happen often ... but, it does happen.

Kevin O'

What's wrong with Spandex?

If you're so concerned with blowing off all us $2,300 (I have Ultegra-LOL) equipped riders with a flat bar then you should be able to hang without road tires anyway. Be a Man!

I know you're just foolin' but I figured adding another bike, whatever it is, is always welcome around here. I have road, mountain, BMX, freestyle, mountain, fixed gear, musclebikes, etc. I even have a unicycle.

pjbaz ...

Now I'm going to have to unofficially say sunuva***** and your name in the same sentence.

See ... I know we're all a bunch of enablers around here ... but, after reading your thread ... I've bought a late 90's Bianchi Trofeo f/f kit and some RSX STI shifters to use with my old road bike's RX 100 components. It's on ... though not a new bike ... and ... is a project I'm managing to do on the cheap.

But ...

It's all your fault. At least, that's what I've been tellin' my wife. lol.

Seriously ... thanks for the encouragement ... although, it obviously didn't take much.

Kevin O'

Glad I could help...although I didn't think it would take much anyway.

I have many bikes in my stable and can't help but add more when the opportunity, like this was for you, presents itself.

Having an "old" road bike will still anger the club riders on their flashy new bikes that cost as much as a nice used car.

Post some pix when it's done.