Converting a mountain bike to........

[£1.99]

A Commuting, Touring bike.
I have a GT Zaskar mountain bike which I hardly ever use at least very rarely off road. I was thinking if I changed things on the bike and made it more comfortable and a better ride on the road I might use it more. I would also like to sit more upright on the bike.
I know this is the place to ask how to go about doing this as many of you ride bikes.

 

[Worthai Seagull]

A Commuting, Touring bike.
I have a GT Zaskar mountain bike which I hardly ever use at least very rarely off road. I was thinking if I changed things on the bike and made it more comfortable and a better ride on the road I might use it more. I would also like to sit more upright on the bike.
I know this is the place to ask how to go about doing this as many of you ride bikes.

Sell it , and get a road bike. The two are totally different ..dont try and compromise.
Go to a good bike shop (not Halfords) and ask them about a good road bike, (and most important), get it sized up for yourself.

 

[Stat Brother]

All you can do is change the tyres, this will make a huge difference but till not ideal.
Also if you can, 'turn off' the suspension, that will help.

Hybrid bikes are the most popular sector of the market with entry level ones, half the price of what you paid for your mountain, so if it's in good nick Worthai's advise isn't to far off the mark.

 

[£1.99]

Thank you both for your advice. My bike doesn't have suspension so thats not a problem. As I only have limited funds I'm looking to do it on the cheap ie second hand and what I can find at the tip. I'm not looking to travel hundreds of miles on the bike but just want to make it ride better on the road. I think your right the first thing would be to change the tyres and maybe a new stem would help for sitting more upright.
Anyone have pictures of their self build bikes ?

 

[REDLAND]

getting a shorter stem and some riser handlebars will help you sit up more on the bike. Also check the height and position of your saddle

have a read here
MTB Setup - How to configure your mountain bike properly

 

[tinx]

I did the same thing with mine in that I locked off the suspension and put some thinner slick tires on my mountain bike, made a surprisingly big difference

 

[Perry's Tracksuit Bottoms]

I use an old mountain bike for commuting - I just changed the tyres. Successfully tackled Alpe D'Huez on it too - I was in no position to buy a road bike at the time and it did the job admirably. It's certainly no substitute for the road bike I now use for pleasure, but if it's all you can do then go for it.

 

[£1.99]

Even though I've not done anything to the bike yet I've just found the inspiration to get working on it and get out and ride more
Velovixens - Babes... and bikes! NSFW! - Bikes Move Us