Is this a practical idea? - Mountain bike for road use

A mountain bike isn't a bad idea for road use, but there are trade-offs.

Mountain bikes are heavier (but tougher) than road bikes. The riding position may be more comfortable (upright) but less aerodynamic.

I use a mountain bike for all my riding (off-road, touring and commuting). For road riding I use slick tyres (Specialized Fatboy) and these speed things up a lot.

Regarding the bike you are looking at: I would not go for full suspension for road use, since it just adds weight and complexity with no benefit. Look for a hard-tail (ie front suspension only). Other folks around here may be able to suggest a better model in your price range.

Edit - maybe this would be a better starting point, but there are sure to be lots of other options. In this price range there are compromises on weight and component quality:
performancebike.comprofile.cfmOpen ↗

Thanks for the reply.

I have no experience so I'm just curious about something.
Just how much weight are mountain bikes heavier? I mean, it can't be all that much, right? Well, higher mass, would mean it's easier to keep at a steady high speed right?
Anyway, I was just intersted in just how heavier it would be, I wouldn't mind if it's just a little weight added, it'll be more of a work out, I'm picking up biking as an excercise.

Unless, having a heavy bike has some disadvantages I don't know of...

The total weight may not be a lot different (eg 12 kg for cheap "road" bike versus 16 kg for cheap "mountain" bike) and if you're really only into it for fitness then it is not a big deal. As I said in the earlier post, I use a mountain bike for everything (and have done for the last 15 years).

By the way - another current thread is discussing the speed difference between road and mountain bikes:
cyclingforums.comt271201 the ultimate newbie question.htmlOpen ↗

I have been looking for a 650c wheel road bike in 52/52cm 76deg seat tube for traning. No success.

My next option is to buy a MTB with short top tube, Apollo Marathon 18", 53cm tt etc... for about $300. (AUS)
If I fit rigid CrMo forks ($100),
Conti Grand Prix 26x1 tyres/tubes ($100),
flat bars ($25),
change the gearing to TX-71 28/38/48 & HG-50 12-25 ($125)
I will have a nice little training bike around 10kg for a total cost of $650 (AUS). Where can you buy a 650c road bike for that? 🙂

A mountain bike isn't very comfortable for road use. If it is a real MTB, it is designed to stretch the rider out and put a lot of the rider's weight over the front wheel (this helps keep the front wheel on the ground when climbing steep hills).

There are much better bikes for street riding that put you in a more comfortable, upright position. These bikes are typically lighter weight than a cheapo MTB, and since they don't waste expense on useless shock absorbers you get a much better quality bike for the same money.

TD

bya said:

Or is this a stupid idea of using a mountain bike as a road bike?

It's better idea than using a road bike for rough terrain 😉

Of course a MTB can be used for road use. As mentioned, you're going to have weight and rolling resistance tradeoffs. Have you considered a hybrid, as they are often ideal commuting bikes? A hybrid typically will put you in a more relaxed riding position (you will lose some pedaling efficiency), but if you're just tooling around the city, maybe that would be a viable option. In addition, the 32mm tires usually found on hybrids will have considerably less rolling resistance as compared to a MTB tire.

My fiancee purchased a Trek 7200FX (I believe that's the correct model #) for a little over $300 at a LBS, and she has had good luck with it.

bya said:

Hi, first off, I'm a noobie at this.
I havn't ridden a bike since elementary school.
I was thinking of buying a cheap-o mountain to use to ride around the city, the terrain is not even tough at all.
I was thinking of buying a Mongoose Pathfinder (amazon.com102 4564633 5837721Open ↗). I read some other threads saying it's a disgrace of a mountain bike, but for my use, wouldn't it be more than sufficent?

Or is this a stupid idea of using a mountain bike as a road bike?

Hey! I have a full suspension bike. It's fine for me. I use it both on the road and take it off road as well. At least I have the option! With a road bike you don't. Anyways, my reasoning is, so what if it's heavier? It makes me work harder and hopefully helps with my fitness ... 🙂

gclark8 said:

I have been looking for a 650c wheel road bike in 52/52cm 76deg seat tube for traning. No success.

My next option is to buy a MTB with short top tube, Apollo Marathon 18", 53cm tt etc... for about $300. (AUS)
If I fit rigid CrMo forks ($100),
Conti Grand Prix 26x1 tyres/tubes ($100),
flat bars ($25),
change the gearing to TX-71 28/38/48 & HG-50 12-25 ($125)
I will have a nice little training bike around 10kg for a total cost of $650 (AUS). Where can you buy a 650c road bike for that? 🙂

I found another with a short top tube, 06 Malvern Star Mirage, it too comes in 14, 16, 18" frame sizes, it already has the 28/38/48 170mm crankset, just add slicks and go!!

Look at the Trek 520. I always wanted to get one of those for touring. I don't even know if they make them anymore.

bya-

I think so, I bought in May a steel Trek 820 hardtail mtb and I'm thrilled. I expected to do more off-road but enjoying streets & paved biked trails mostly. Friends loaned me Specialized Fatboy tires, and SPD clipless pedals & shimano shoes which add to the fun & distances (I've done 100mi / week and up to 34/day)

Like this bike alot; paid $219 at LBS

also got out my OLD! Motobecane Super Mirage road bike & enjoying that - though will admit I'm spoiled with the RapidFire shifters

Have you gotten further towards a purchase?

Peter

As mentioned the weight and rolling resistance are negatives to riding mountain bikes on the street. The rolling resistance issue can be taken care of by switching to slicks. Reducing the weight can be a very expensive proposition.

I'm riding a full suspension mountain bike on the streets: doctor's orders. Yes, it is about 10 lbs heavier than I wanted but the exercise is more important to me than anything else right now so it's no big deal. Does the full suspension make a difference on the street? Yes, on the bigger bumps and stuff it absorbs the excessive shock nicely. A bike with just a front suspension may have worked for me but the full suspension should allow me to ride longer before I aggravate my neck injury. It's not a huge difference, but, to me, it makes the difference between riding and walking.

Yes, you will probably find it OK, quite comfortable in fact.

However, I would say that its best to avoid suspension of any sort - certainly keep away from full suspension bikes. Just not needed on the road.

And I would say get rid of the big fat knobbly tyres and go for something like these Conti Grand Prix MTB tyres

Then you will find it much easier!