How To Convert Your Mountain Bike To The City

Surely many of you will have a mountain bike and yet never go to the mountain, they use it mainly to get around the city. This situation is not uncommon as mountain bikes are among the most common on the market. They are so sold, mainly for their versatility and for the wide price range with which they can be found.

As the name implies, these bikes were designed for the mountain. Each kind of mountain bike has features that give you advantages in the different terrains and uses for which they were conceived.

In general, mountain bikes are characterized by thick rims and a drawing that gives them better traction on loose or muddy terrain. Designed to traverse rough terrain and full of obstacles, today the vast majority of these bikes are equipped with full suspension or just scissors.

Types of mountain bikes:

Trail

All Mountain

Cross Country

Downhill

Free-ride

Dirt jump

Full suspension mountain bike

In the city the situation is very different, since the road is usually paved and the obstacles we find are stools, bumpers and potholes. In this type of terrain the mountain bike is not as efficient as other types of bike, however, there are some modifications that we can make to make it more practical and get more comfort in the city.

Changing Tires

One of the simplest modifications we can make is a simple tire change—ideally, a rim with a rather smooth drawing.

Mountain tire studs or wedges are designed to bury yourself in loose terrain for better traction. On a hard surface, such as pavement, these maquettes are not hidden, so they provide a smaller surface of tire contact with the ground and absorb some of the movement's energy when compressed.

In contrast, a smooth drawing increases the area of contact with the surface and provides us with better traction on soft terrain and less resistance, resulting in more efficient displacement. On the other hand, the drawing of a mountain rim will be spent quickly if used on the street.

Fenders

When you use the bike in the city, it's very likely to be to go to work, to school, to the movies or even to a wedding. In any case, I don't think anyone likes to arrive with their backs and legs in their way or, at best, with a watermark on their back.

Mountain bikes are generally not equipped with dashboards or mudguards. When you go to the mountain, apart from getting some soil is part of the fun, and the splashes can become nudity since the mud can accumulate in them and add a few kilos to the bike.

If you're going to use your mountain bike in the city, especially in the rainy season, a recommendation is to equip the bike with Fenders. Whether fixed or "remove."

It is best to go to the bike shop and try different options. If you do the change of tires, there is not much problem, but if your tires are extensive, it is likely best to go through the mudguards of the type "remove pon."

Grills, Baskets, And Saddlebags

Every urban cyclist has to carry something at some point. The easiest thing is to put it in the backpack, and that's it. However, there are more practical and convenient ways to transport our cargo on a bicycle.

Grill

Grills are a reasonably practical way to transport our packages. Unlike carrying them in a backpack, the center of gravity of the cargo is lower, which gives us more excellent stability when moving. Generally, Grills are installed on the back of the bike, although they exist front grilles. I wouldn't say I like the front grilles for the city as they affect a little the maneuverability of the bike.

Canastillas

Las Baskets they certainly make urban cyclist life easier. As easy as loading and starting, without the need to tie or close snaps. The disadvantage is that the load is exposed to the media and moves a little, but there are baskets that you can attach directly to the grill and others that are fastened between the telescope and the steering pole. The latter, like the front grilles, can slightly affect the control of the bike.

Saddlebags

One Saddlebag it's a kind of backpack or suitcase that attaches to the sides of the grills. Many of the saddlebags we can find on the market are waterproof, which helps us keep the load dry.

The use of these attachments is an excellent option to make our transfers in the city more efficient.

Changing The Handlebars

The geometry of the mountain bike makes the rider take a more aerodynamic position. Not as much as on a road bike, but the body has a considerable inclination towards the front.

Changing the handlebars to one with a higher climb and running more towards the rider achieves a more upright position. This position is more comfortable as most of the weight goes over the seat, and the arms can relax. In addition to an upright position, it provides better visibility to the cyclist and is more visible to other vehicles and pedestrians.

Suspension

As already mentioned, today, most mountain bikes come equipped with suspension. In particular, those bikes with rear suspension are inefficient when moving around the city, since the shock absorbs some of the energy we apply to the Pedal.

Some systems can crash. If your suspension system doesn't have this feature, the recommendation is to adjust it to be as rigid as possible.

Some of the bikes specially designed for the city have the shock absorber on the seat post. So if your bike doesn't have a cushioning system and the bumps along the way make you suffer a little, it's best to buy a seat post with this system.

You know, if you have a mountain bike, you can turn it into a whole urban bike by following these tips. You don't need to make all these changes or make them all at once, but I guarantee you feel the difference.