Im going on a big 100 mile bike race but my wheels are mountain bike wheels. Should i spend the money to get racing wheels or is it not worth it
you say that you are using mtb wheels but you reference getting racing wheels. by racing, i assume you mean road bike wheels. if so, you may run into some limitations based on what size wheels your frame can handle. a mtb frame can almost always handle only 26 wheels and not 700c wheels commonly used on road bikes. if you are simply looking to move with a little more ease on the road, definitely go get yourself some baldy type mtb tires and enjoy the ride.
As the other replies have pointed out, it's not clear whether you just mean changing to slick tyres or whether you're considering ligher wheels. That is the point: Just buying new tyres will cost less, but will make less of a difference than buying wheels, which will cost a lot more. It actually depends on how serious you are about getting a good time. And if you're riding a mountain bike, you're obviously not going to be finishing with the top riders, so personally I would go for the cheaper option. Get some nice slicks, which will make the ride much smoother, and enjoy the day!
Okay. are you talking about the tires or the wheels? tires the rubber, wheels the rim, spokes and hub. Tires Yes - it is worth it! Pick up some slick mtb tires. There are two reasons that will hopefully convince you of this: 1. Rolling resistance - a thinner tire means less friction on the road, which will help you go faster. Thinner tires will also provide you with a smoother ride, and depending on the tire, often allow for higher tire pressures. 2. a smaller tire means less weight being hurled around the rim. This makes more of a difference than you think! Wheels Probably not worth picking up lighter wheels unless you're worried about making a podium spot (in which case you'd find a road bike to use). The mountain rims should be fine with some slick racing tires. Oh yeah, road bike (700cc) wheels do not fit with mountain frames (26 wheels). there is not enough clearance. good luck in the race!
