Comments on: converting a mountain bike to an urban commute machine

By: szekcionált garázskapu

szekcionált garázskapu — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:18:04 +0000

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By: John Girvin

John Girvin — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 22:48:13 +0000

You’re welcome Lee, and good luck!

By: John Girvin

John Girvin — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 22:47:38 +0000

Gearing? In any case, I've switched to a full-on road bike for the commute now, a Carrera Virtuoso, complete with panniers. I'm getting on fine with the gearing on that!

By: Lee

Lee — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 15:02:17 +0000

I’ve got a very similar looking bike – GT Zum 2.0 with disc brakes, small frame (too small really, but I have adapted with a long seat post). I’ve got the Gatorskins too and they’re great. Been using them for over a year and no punctures yet (used to about one per week with the supplied Tioga City Slickers – mainly flint and glass from the daily 7 mile commute to work both off and on-road).

Your article has inspired me to replace the heavy suspension forks with some lighter cro-mos, so thanks for the info!

By: chris

chris — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 08:57:27 +0000

Great article, how are you getting on with the gearing ?

By: John Girvin

John Girvin — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:15:40 +0000

Just the tyres. They fit nicely on to the existing wheels, which were built around disk hubs so I had no worries about the brakes.

By: doggy

doggy — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 00:18:52 +0000

hi i was just wondering when changing to slims did u have to change the whole wheel or just the tyres in order for the disk brake to fit on to the hub?

By: Marco

Marco — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:51:23 +0000

For real comfort go for a steel frame with carbon forks I ride an On One 456 with slicks and it’s a beautie on the road.

By: John Girvin

John Girvin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 10:32:58 +0000

I think, given the width and pressure of the tyres now, the bike would start to bog down anywhere the surface was soft or easily disturbed, such as a muddy track or large gravel path. I did a quick run over some wet grass and the grip was OK, but it cut a ditch into the soft earth. It’s fine on harder surfaces like hardcore paths, and would probably give enough grip on dry or packed mud too. The Continental Ultra Gator tyres are quite grippy.

Is there something in particular you might be riding over?

By: Matt

Matt — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:25:48 +0000

Hey – great post. Just wondering how far can you push this bike off-road now? What kind of surface do you think would be its limit, i.e. gravel path, farm track, etc. ?

By: John Girvin

John Girvin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:09:37 +0000

It depends on the forks but I looked at a couple of makes and they did have the same ballpark upper limit. I’d say the limit would be higher though if you’re not planning on doing any off-roading!

By: John Girvin

John Girvin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:08:17 +0000

Changing the tyres will make the biggest difference I think, and I wouldn’t be without bar-ends as I find that riding position very comfortable. Changing to rigid forks is a “nice to have”, as they do save quite a lot of weight and are fully rigid unlike even locked-out suspension forks, but it’s far from essential.

Change your tyres and bars and ride for a while, then see what you feel like.

By: Ciaran

Ciaran — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:28:02 +0000

15st is the recommended maximum for carbon fibre forks?

Dammit, another good reason to lose weight, if one more stone is enough to break my bike!

(I will say, the carbon fibre is pretty good for cushioning shocks as well as the weight reduction.)

By: Nigel

Nigel — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:18:51 +0000

Hey, nice read!

Been thinking of a front end overhaul of my Rockhopper. Considering a pair a Kona P2′s or Charge Nozzles.

As I can lock out the Rockshox on the front though, worried this may be a false economy, so it’s a change of tyres first I think, and a switch from EA30 risers to a flat bar with bar ends for a better riding position.

Also thinking about getting rid of front derailleur as I never shift from the large front ring … which would ultimately convert the bike to a 9 speed … not sure whether to take that plunge though.

By: Jeffrey Solicitor

Jeffrey Solicitor — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:22:28 +0000

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