MTB Slicks vs Roadbike

[Bennie Dikwiel]

Anyone have any idea how much less effort a MTB with slicks has over one with rock hard XC tyres on the road?

[Hector]

I race road but train MTB. I converted my old Merida TFS500 hard tail into a Road bike hybrid. I put on slicks, changed the front rings to 24/38/48 and the cluster to 11/21. These ratios are necessary if you are going to keep up with the road bikes. I put on road pedals, just for fun I changed the handle bars to drop's - used a Sora tripple chain gear lever. I also locked the front shocks I manage to keep up a max of 32kmph with the road bikes, but let me tell you it is hard work. Good luck

[LazyTrailRider]

Anyone have any idea how much less effort a MTB with slicks has over one with rock hard XC tyres on the road?

 

Significantly less. Dreaming up figures is usually not a good thing to do, but if I have to guess I'd say up to 30% quicker compared to say a set of 2.1 Small Block Eights.

 

I've had several different sets of slicks over the years, the last set having been 1.2" Continental Sport Contacts. These puppies are not far from a road bike, but still burly enough to not be sketchy if you're used to a cushy and grippy ride.

 

I once tried competing for a sub 3 Argus on an MTB with slicks, but gear ratios always end up being a problem. I'd outclimb the roadies by quite a bit, and then they'd fly past me on the downhills. I'd be spinning like Formula 1 car and they'd just breeze past... Not ideal.

Edited February 5, 2011 by Martin Hattingh