Can A Mountain Bike Convert To A Road Bike? (Explained)
Mountain bikes and road bikes are two different types of bikes with features and functions peculiar to each.
If you own a mountain bike and are seriously in need of a road bike, you may be wondering if it’s possible to convert your mountain bike to a road bike instead of buying an entirely new one.
And that leads to this question; can mountain bikes convert to road bikes?
Yes, you can convert a mountain bike to a road bike. However, mountain bikes are quite different from road bikes, and it’s essential to note that the conversion process may be extremely difficult and time-consuming. Hence, to convert a mountain bike to a road bike, you must replace some vital components with compatible ones.
In this article, I’ll walk you through how a mountain bike can be converted to a road bike and how you can do it.
In the end, you’ll understand everything that needs to be known concerning the topic.
Can a Mountain Bike be Converted into a Road Bike?
Yes, a mountain bike can convert into a road bike.
However, it would help if you first kept in mind that the conversion process is challenging and time-consuming since the two bikes are designed for different purposes.
Mountain bikes, as the name implies, are designed for off-road use, such as on thick, rough, and unstable terrains.
While road bikes, on the other hand, are designed for use on smooth and paved asphalt roads.
The parts of mountain bikes are thicker, stronger, and bigger, and that’s why they seem heavier than road bikes, whose parts are narrower, smaller, and less tough.
Therefore, to convert a mountain bike to a road bike, you will have to remove some of its vital parts and replace them with compatible road bike parts, which can be pretty tough.
Regardless of the challenges, you will face when converting your mountain bike to a road bike, you’re going to find out many technical things.
Hence, if you’re the type that likes exploring new knowledge, you will prefer using the conversion process as a learning moment.
In addition, if you want to save money because new road bikes are expensive, you will prefer converting what you already own instead of buying an entirely new road bike.
Meanwhile, check out the table below to discover more differences between mountain and road bikes.
Mountain Bikes | Road Bikes |
---|---|
Mountain bikes are heavier. | Road bikes are lighter and more aerodynamic. |
Mountain bikes are slower. | Road bikes are faster. |
Mountain bikes are more durable. | Road bikes are less durable. |
Mountain bikes have wider tires which enable better traction. | Road bikes have narrower and smaller tires which cause them to have less traction. |
Mountain bikes have larger frames. | Road bikes have shorter frames. |
Mountain bikes have wide flat bars. | Road bikes have narrow handlebars. |
Mountain bikes have suspension forks/rear shocks. | Road bikes lack suspension forks/rear shocks. |
Mountain bikes are built for off-road use. | Road bikes are designed for use on paved roads. |
How to Convert a Mountain Bike to Road Bike?
Converting a mountain bike to a road bike is challenging, but it becomes simple and achievable if you follow instructions diligently.
First, depending on your budget, it is best to change the mountain bike’s frame to that of a road bike if you have the ability.
However, if you don’t have the ability, you can leave it and change some other necessary parts.
Hence, below are the step-by-step instructions on how to convert a mountain bike to a road bike:
- Change the tire and adjust its pressure.
- Change the gear
- Change handlebars.
- Change the pedal.
- Adjust the seat.
#1. Change the Tires or Adjust their Pressure
One of the main differences between mountain bikes and road bikes is their tires/wheels.
Mountain bike tires are thick and suitable for rough and thick trails, while road bike tires are narrow, smooth, and suitable for use on paved roads.
Hence, one of the main things you must do when converting your mountain bike to a road bike is to remove the mountain bike tires and replace them with compatible road bike tires.
It’s advisable and preferable to replace the entire wheels. All you need to do is unscrew your mountain bike’s wheels and replace them with compatible road bike wheels.
However, if you can’t afford new tires/wheels, the easiest and cheapest way of converting mountain bike tires to road bike tires is to adjust the pressure of the mountain bike.
All you need to do is to fill up the mountain bike tires with more air. However, ensure that you check the maximum psi of the tires before the filling to prevent the tires from bursting.
#2. Change the Gear
Mountain bikes have multiple gears, and their purpose is to support your pedaling to each descent or hill you come across while riding through the mountain.
However, unlike mountain bikes, you don’t need multiple gears in road bikes. Instead, you only need one gear to help you ride faster and more easily on paved roads.
Hence, you must remove and replace the gears of your mountain bikes with compatible road bike gear.
#3. Change the Handlebars
Mountain bike handlebars are straight and more elevated than road bike handlebars which are bent and lower.
Therefore, handlebars are one of the most important parts you must replace when converting a mountain bike to a road bike.
So, it would be best if you change the handlebars of your mountain bike from straight to bent ones for effective use on paved roads.
#4. Change the Pedals
Mountain bike pedals are thicker and heavier compared to road bike pedals.
Hence, for easy pedaling on smooth and paved roads, you must change the pedals of your mountain bikes to be compatible with thinner and heavier pedals.
#5. Adjust the Seat
You don’t need to change the seat of your mountain bike. You only need to raise the seat to make it suitable for use on the road. A road bike seat must be higher than a mountain bike seat.
Therefore, one of the essential things you must do when converting a mountain bike to a road bike is to push up the bike’s seat.
What Do You Need to Convert a Mountain Bike to a Road Bike?
The first thing you need when converting a mountain bike to a road bike is to get a new frame if you have the capability.
You must remove and replace the MTB’s frame with a road bike frame. The frame is the main component of a bike, and it’s the framework that holds the entire bike together.
The bike’s frame is the skeleton onto which other parts of the bike are fitted. Meanwhile, there are clear differences between a mountain bike frame and the frame of a road bike.
Mountain bike frames are thicker and stronger than road bike frames.
Therefore, if you want your mountain bike to look like a road bike after the conversion process, replace the entire frame with a road bike frame.
Moreover, after changing the frame, you will need some other new road bike parts.
For example, gears, pedals, handlebars, and tires/wheels, because the ones on mountain bikes differ from those on road bikes.
You will have to remove the mentioned components from your mountain bike and replace them with compatible road bike components.
Each mentioned part has unique functions, and you must remove them if you want to enjoy using the converted mountain bike on paved roads.
In addition, the major tool you will need during the conversion process is a screwdriver to unscrew the bolts and nuts that hold the components onto the bike’s frame.
Can You Put Road Tires on a Mountain Bike?
Yes, you can put road tires on a mountain bike. Of course, you must change the tires of your mountain bike to road tires if you want to convert the mountain bike to a road bike.
However, you must ensure that the road tires you intend to fix are compatible with the rims of your mountain bike.
Compatibility is essential if you want the road tires to fit onto the mountain bike appropriately and also if you want the new road tires to give you a comfortable riding experience on the road.
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