Converting to Road Bike.

[Boon 51]

I have a Cannondale Bad Boy 2 with mtb running gear and I would like to change to road running gear.
Would this be possible, I know it would be dear but still cheaper than changing the bike that I would like to keep.
Cheers.

 

[Lanzecki]

More knowledgeable people will come along, but The frame geometry would be very different.

But, it could be done. How far are you thinking of going? Full gears? Wheels, tyres, Handlebars and levers? Or a straight barred hybrid?

 

[HLaB]

Vee brakes ? If so STIs wont pull enough cable for them. You can get Problem Solver Travel Agents as a work around but even then the brakes will be spongy!

 

[Boon 51]

More knowledgeable people will come along, but The frame geometry would be very different.

But, it could be done. How far are you thinking of going? Full gears? Wheels, tyres, Handlebars and levers? Or a straight barred hybrid?

The bike as it stands is perfect, but instead of a 42/32/26 front and 11/36T rear gearing it has now, I would like change it to a 50/34 front with an 11/36T or 11/34T rear and keep the bike as it is.
It has 700cc wheels and flat bars so no need to change these..

 

[sreten]

Hi,

I doubt the conversion would be a success. Compared to selling your bike for
what is it and getting a road bike for a similar used price, no cost involved.

rgds, sreten.

 

[Boon 51]

I dont want a road bike as I like my hybrid.. The bike I would compare it too would be a Specialized Sirrus Comp and that is a hybrid with 48/34 front and an 11/36T rear..

 

[HLaB]

I dont want a road bike as I like my hybrid.. The bike I would compare it too would be a Specialized Sirrus Comp and that is a hybrid with 48/34 front and an 11/36T rear..

So you are not going to drops, rather a flat bar road bike; you'll not have the brake problem then. I doubt the geometry of your frame will allow you to get close to a sirrus though but it will result in a faster bike if thats what you are after. You'll have to investigate the cost, it may be more effective to sell Bad Boy or invest in n+1

 

[Smurfy]

I see this is morphing into a thread on what bike you need. If you want to keep up with the fastest roadies a proper road bike is the best option. If you want to do social rides on road your current bike with skinny tyres and a few tweaks to gearing should be fine.

 

[Smurfy]

The bike as it stands is perfect, but instead of a 42/32/26 front and 11/36T rear gearing it has now, I would like change it to a 50/34 front with an 11/36T or 11/34T rear and keep the bike as it is.
It has 700cc wheels and flat bars so no need to change these..

Is it Shimano equipped? The Shimano website has a lot of information on compatibility. Can't speak for the other manufacturers as I only have the big 'S on my bikes.

 

[sreten]

Hi,

Good road tyres and learning to spin are your best bet.
You can't go fast unless you can really spin, and IMO
for your flatbar bike you don't need extra gearing.

rgds, sreten..

 

[Peter88]

The bike as it stands is perfect, but instead of a 42/32/26 front and 11/36T rear gearing it has now, I would like change it to a 50/34 front with an 11/36T or 11/34T rear and keep the bike as it is.
It has 700cc wheels and flat bars so no need to change these..

I changed my Boardman earlier this year from a 42/32/26 to this 48/36/26 http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-deore-m590-9-speed-triple-chainset/rp-prod40496 but kept the rest of the drive chain the same. Only other thing I had to change was the front deraileur position to suit the size of the bigger chainring.

 

[Boon 51]

So you are not going to drops, rather a flat bar road bike; you'll not have the brake problem then. I doubt the geometry of your frame will allow you to get close to a sirrus though but it will result in a faster bike if thats what you are after. You'll have to investigate the cost, it may be more effective to sell Bad Boy or invest in n+1

My thread header is my fault looking at it now as its a bit misleading (sorry) but I'm not after a road bike I'm after just a gearing change..
So apologies to one and all..

 

[Boon 51]

I see this is morphing into a thread on what bike you need. If you want to keep up with the fastest roadies a proper road bike is the best option. If you want to do social rides on road your current bike with skinny tyres and a few tweaks to gearing should be fine.

The bike has a FSA triple chainring and SLX for the other stuff..

 

[Boon 51]

Hi,

Good road tyres and learning to spin are your best bet.
You can't go fast unless you can really spin, and IMO
for your flatbar bike you don't need extra gearing.

rgds, sreten..

It has 700cc rims and 25cc Gatorskins fitted but what it lacks is flat and down hill speed with only a 42 outer.. I do agree with getting fitter, I am loads fitter than 6 months ago, hense the change from a 42/32/28 to a road 50/34 front.

 

[Boon 51]

Been thinking about changing bike today and I reckon I would lose £500 on the sale of the Bad Boy 2 .. so would changing the gearing come to more than £500.