Typical 10-speed bikes designed for riding on paved roads can be converted for use as a mountain bike. Rigid frames used on road bikes are strong enough for off-road conditions, but other components have to be converted to handle dirt trails, hills, gullies and tight turns. Front suspension and mountain bike handlebars are a must. Road bike gearing is converted for low-end power. Thin-profile road tires have to be converted to wider tires that provide traction in off-road conditions. A degree of mechanical aptitude and your knowledge of bicycle components combine when you convert a 10-speed to a mountain bike.
Wheels, Tires and Brakes
Step 1
Establish the sizes of the wheels, tires and brakes for the conversion. Begin by noting the diameter of the existing wheels, such as 26-inch or 28-inch, as given on the sidewalls of the road tires. If necessary, measure the diameter across a wheel from the outside edges of the rim.
Step 2
Measure the width between the dropouts on the rear frame arms to determine the width of mountain bike wheels and tires for the bike. You'll change the front forks when you convert to front suspension, so the rear frame arms are the determining factor in wheel and tire width. Note the measurement and proceed to the brakes.
Step 3
Loosen the cable stop on the rear side-pull brakes. Pull the brake arms open by hand and remove the brake pads from each arm using a metric wrench. Spread the brake arms open fully, making sure each is equidistant from the sides of the existing wheel rim.
Step 4
Measure the distance between the inside faces of the brake arms where the pads attach. Compare this to your measurement for the width of the mountain bike wheels. You can install thinner brake pads for occasional mountain biking or new brakes with thicker pads for extended off-road riding.
Forks and Chainwheel
Step 1
Mount the bicycle on a repair stand to do the conversion in a single process. Turn the bike upside down and balance it on the seat and handlebars when a stand is not available. Once the chainwheel conversion is complete and the rear wheel installed, you can ask an assistant to help as you install the front forks and front wheel.
Step 2
Remove the front and rear wheels and both derailleurs. Take the drive chain off and set it aside. Remove the front brakes from the mount on the front forks. You remove and replace the rear brakes, or install thinner pads, once the wheel size has been confirmed by a salesman or bicycle mechanic.
Step 3
Remove the front and rear brake levers and the shifters from the handlebars. Take off the road bike handlebars. Unscrew the fork caps at the top of the steering headset, remove the washers and spacers and lower the front forks out of the headset. Set the forks aside for now.
Step 4
Remove the pedal cranks and the chainwheel from the bottom bracket using an Allen wrench and wheel crank tools. Refer to procedures in your bike's service manual or talk to a bike mechanic, if necessary, for instructions on removing the parts.
10-Speed Conversion
Step 1
Take the front forks, chainwheel and your measurements for the wheels and brakes to a bike shop. Discuss the conversion with a knowledgeable salesman or mechanic and obtain a chainwheel that converts your 10-speed gears for mountain riding, using the existing rear-sprocket cluster and derailleurs.
Step 2
Ask the shop to measure your front forks and select forks with mountain bike suspension that fits your bike. Ask the service department to mount tubeless MTB tires on aluminum alloy or titanium wheels that fit your bike. Obtain sets of thinner brake pads or new brakes based on your measurements. Select flat riser or tapered riser handlebars and mountain bike grips.
Step 3
Complete the conversion in steps, starting with installing the chainwheel on the bottom bracket using the appropriate tools. Reattach the cranks and torque the crank bolts to the specified foot-pounds with a torque wench. Reattach the front derailleur.
Step 4
Mount the new rear wheel and tire on the bike and reconnect the drive chain to the front and rear sprockets. Reattach the derailleur. You adjust the chain before riding the bike. Install the rear brake pads or new rear brakes. Connect the rear brake cable.
Step 5
Install the forks and suspension into the steering headset from below. Install the new front wheel and tire. Attach the saved or new front brake to the mount and install the brake pads. Mount the mountain bike handlebars on the headset and reattach the brake and shift levers to the bars. Put the new grips on the handlebars.
Tips and Warnings
- Tie cables, levers and derailleurs out of the way using nylon ties around the frame tubes or seat tube. Service and lubricate the bottom bracket before installing the crankset/chainwheel. Lubricate the drive chain, hand levers and cables. Ask the bicycle mechanic about aligning the brake pads for the correct toe-in.
Things You'll Need
- Metric tools
- Allen wrenches
- Bottom bracket tools
- Torque wrench
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