REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

can I turn my Trek 4500 in to a road bike?

3434 Views 4 Replies 5 Participants Last post by noslogan, Dec 1, 2005

pcxmac

Discussion Starter · Nov 30, 2005

Its been said I should get a road bike and not outfit my current ride, however, I dont like having alot of crap, and it seems there are more roads then trails when I ride. That being the case, I would like to swap in something of a road bike gear set (front and rear), and ofcoarse the chain and most likely the derailer, and upgrade the shifter (rear) to accomadate the number of gears. Is this possible? Could I work in a the Ultegra set up, or something like it (not as expensive)?

Save

1 - 5 of 5 Posts

Zion Rasta

· #2 · Dec 1, 2005

Get a road bike!

pcxmac said:
Its been said I should get a road bike and not outfit my current ride, however, I dont like having alot of crap, and it seems there are more roads then trails when I ride. That being the case, I would like to swap in something of a road bike gear set (front and rear), and ofcoarse the chain and most likely the derailer, and upgrade the shifter (rear) to accomadate the number of gears. Is this possible? Could I work in a the Ultegra set up, or something like it (not as expensive)?

By the time you end up converting a mediocre bike to a "road bike" you could have bought an entry level bike. Decide what you want to ride then buy. I can come up with some sick single speed set ups, but it sounds like you are just getting into this.

Get a road bike for X-MAS

http://www.supergo.com/profile.cfm?LPROD_ID=26064&lsubcat_id=7618&lcat_id=7604&referpage=#

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/14297-018_PIARB5-3-Parts-47-Bikes/Piave-Poggio-Road-Bike.htm

Save

Tracerboy

· #3 · Dec 1, 2005

yea, i guess any bike could be a road bike. Just slap on some slicks to yur bike and call it a road bike. But if u are thinking of a getting an ultegra set, new wheels, etc. yur better off just getting a road bike and it'll be cheaper, faster, and just flat out better.

Save

donboyfisher

· #4 · Dec 1, 2005

totally agree with the replies so far...

before you do anything too hasty - go buy a set of slick style tyres ( i'm about to buy a set of Nokian AWS - £20 a pair ), throw them on the rims and pump them up to a really high pressure. then head out on the road and notice the difference.

i regularly commute about 13miles to and from work using an old hardtail. On the chunky tyres it was reasonably hard going to begin with. I changed to a set of panaracer speed blasters and the difference was huge. Uphills were noticably easier and downhills considerably faster, plus on the flat i could cruise at a faster speed. The tyres are nearly done now so like i said above i'm about to get the Nokian AWS which are even smoother than the speedblasters.

In terms of gearing and things i often tag team with a roadie on the way home. He is supremely fit and will easily beat me, but on the general commute we are evenly paced and take turns at lead. On the downhill, i actually out-roll him on my hardtail compared to his road bike. Never been able to figure out the definitive reason, but i think i tuck better and have better bearings.

What i'm really trying to say is dont knock the MTB as a road capable bike ( using the stock gears and things ) until you have at least tried a set of slicks on it. There is absolutely now requisite have road gears just cause you ride on the road.

and lastly, if you want a road setup - you'll never beat going out and buying a road bike in the first place.

2 bikes is no bad thing

See less See more

Save

noslogan

· #5 · Dec 1, 2005

I am jealous

I am jealous of not wanting a lot of crap. Because I have a lot a crap.

A new bike is best. Money is the tough part I suppose. Get Fisher Cobia http://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/bike_detail.asp?series=trail-29er&bike=Cobia

It is a 29er. You could possibly add a bigger chainring and slicks and you should be set for both worlds.

Save

1 - 5 of 5 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month