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Just wondering really, pretty much all of my winter midweek riding is on the road, I just ride my normal hard tail scott fron forks locked. My logic says the extra drag etc. just helps to build fitness.
Is their any benefit to going faster over a longer distance for the same amount of time on a lighter road bike. Would still want relatively big road tyres as the small devon lanes can be a wash with leaves, sticks, mud gravel etc at this time of year.
I am not in a position to spend much on a second bike but could possible put together something cheap from second hand parts.
In theory there is no advantage for training purposes...except a road bike is a lot more fun to ride and you'll prob enjoy it a whole lot more, feel more motivated etc.
No real reason. Road bikes are just quicker and higher geared that's all.
If money was tight I'd get some 2nd wheels and put some narrow profile tyres onto them (28c or 32c) and swap them out for your road use.
road bikes are much more fun than MTBs on the road
There's no training advantage to riding a heavier bike. Ebay a bargain roadie, as others have said it's just more enjoyable. There are enough decent winter tyres that won't puncture and the first sign of crap on the road. Conti Gator, Spesh Armadillo etc etc
some arguement that or a set time period a road bike will get you fitter, where as for a set distance a moutnain bike will.
say road bike ave sppd 18mph, and mtb 14, if you go for an hour u will do 4 milesmore so more pedalling and also bigger gears for leg strength. If for a set distance it will take u longer on the mtb so prob more pedalling etc this may be utter rubbish but read a much more scientifically based article that basically said the above.
Oh and the road bike will be faster and feel more fun
There's no training advantage to riding a heavier bike
Is there any training advantage riding a lighter bike either?
i am thinking the same i fitted thinner tyres shwalbe silennto 11
to my hard tail
but i am thinking about a road bike why are they more fun to ride
wondeing if it would stand the punisment as well i am 16 stone
and jump a lot of kerbs on my commute
why are they more fun to ride
Lighter, faster, more responsive and comfortable.
29er with road tyres works for me 🙂
I returned back to road cycling and I bought a rode bike 18 months ago....it didnt last long....
I then sold it, now I just use my MTB everywhere, for me its easier, more fun and more comfortable, roads are not great around my local area...
So with uneven roads, pot holes etc, the mtb just rolls over them...it was always a bit shakey on the road bike...
The mtb position just suits me....
No training advantage, an hour on a bike is an hour on a bike.
But, a road bike allows/encourages more pedaling so you probably spend more time actualy 'cycling' on a road bike than on the MTB. Turbo training has the same effect again, its probably 50% more efficient than trainnig on the road and 100% more than MTBing (so a 2 hour MTB ride is the same ammount of work as a 1 hour turbo sesssion).
And the higher gearing and cleaner parts means less (almost negligable) component wear, even in winter. I like that however shitty the MTB feels, I can jump straight on one of the road bike and it still has that 'new bike' feeling of everythig working.
the main reason is for another bike 😉
I use an old rigid mtb on the road with either slicks or semi slicks on. I don't like the head down position of a lot of road bikes - also getting old with aching neck !!! I fit a rack, mudguards and if there's a track then I can head off down that. I cycle alone so no need for a high speed to keep up with people or need to cover a set distance in a set time. I can train in heart rate zones and/or cadence, push high gears or sit up and enjoy the view. Agree that parts last a LOT longer than on my [i]pure[/i] mtb's !!!!
I have a road bike for commuting. It means that I can set it up with mug-guards, lights etc and it also keeps the miles off of my MTB and it doesn't mind not being cleaned after every ride. Also it gets me home and to work quicker which means more time in bed.
Dogsby
If it's any consolation, I much prefer riding on the road with my mtb rather than the road bike. Admittedly, my mtb is almost a road bike anyway...29er with lockout on the forks & slick tyres. Even so, it's just way more comfortable & feels a lot safer. The road bike lives attached to the turbo trainer these days.
I tried the MTB on slicks a few years ago, and promptly went back to a road bike - I was more comfy on longer rides on the road bike than the MTB.
For a winter road bike (just for training) anyone recommend anything on ebay for under 400 quid? What sort of thing would it be good to keep an eye out for?
It's like driving a Range Rover / Cayenne / X5 around London?
Sub £400 you should be able to pick up a bike with at least Taigra level drive train, maybe even 105 if you're lucky.
Nice strong wheels and you're laughing all the way to summer.
Would you consider a SS road bike, as they are mucho fun, and bit's last even longer, had to replace the brake pads on mine this week at just under 3000miles of London based commuting, gutted 😆
Cyclocross bike-the best of both worlds and surprising stable over techy stuff on bridlepaths. Love it!
Not sure about the SS option, I don't think mrs blobby would appreciate the obligatory beard.
I recently bought a x bike for my commute to work, took it out for a spin with my normal riding buddies last week, and was slightly slower down the hilly bits (off road), was no slower on the off road technical up hills or flat bits but was soo much more comfy when we got lost and ended up cycling 5 miles back on the road.
Not entirely sure when my MTB will next get ridden!
If you decide to get a road bike for the winter make sure it can take proper mudguards. Its more comfortable keeping a dry bum and the bike stays a lot cleaner
it's a lot faster and therefore fun and can cover more ground/go more places in less time. How about some spare wheels for your mtb with 1" tyres?
Faster, lighter, comfier and therefore more fun. Even on crappy back roads like I have to ride on the difference is worth it.
The position a road bike puts you in is the main thing that makes it so comfy and fast. Mtb are just too slack in comparison.
Personal motivation for me is the "getting out and about", and for this reason I prefer the mountain bike even on roads. Mind you, I'm not one for pootling down heavy traffic roads, a lot of it is still out in the sticks, a bit hilly and some not in the best repair for "metalled" road. Also, I always have the option of bailing off into a wood or track if curiosity or the OS map get's the better of me.
I'm often overtaken by road bikers even when I am hooning it on a flat road - but DILLIGAF?
Road bikers often just have their head down and fly along - a bit too much like wizzing along in the car - no time to take it all in.
some arguement that or a set time period a road bike will get you fitter, where as for a set distance a moutnain bike will.say road bike ave sppd 18mph, and mtb 14, if you go for an hour u will do 4 milesmore so more pedalling and also bigger gears for leg strength.
I can't see the logic in this - a road bike is easier to pedal (mostly due to thinner tyres/less resistance) thus you can achieve a higher speed for the same effort put in.
Road bikers often just have their head down and fly along - a bit too much like wizzing along in the car - no time to take it all in.
That put me off too.
Correct - training effect is about the effort you put in.
The position a road bike puts you in is the main thing that makes it so comfy and fast.
My road bike is by far the least comfy bike I own, apparently it's the correct size etc but anything over an hour and it's numb hands, painful back and aching neck.
I spent 15+ years with just a mountain bike and rode thousands of winter road miles quite happily. Then I bought a winter trainer/CX for commuting duties and now I find riding the MTB on road slow and tedious.
So yes, a road bike lets you ride farther and faster and so is more enjoyable, which means you're likely to do more and get fitter.
Not sure about the SS option, I don't think mrs blobby would appreciate the obligatory beard.
SS on the road is a far cry from SS in MTB land.. no beards!
My road bike is by far the least comfy bike I own, apparently it's the correct size etc but anything over an hour and it's numb hands, painful back and aching neck.
it doesn't fit.
Downside of buying a road bike? You'll get to like it then need to upgrade, then will need a winter hack bike, then you can't commute on them because to exspensive to leave anywhere so you need a commuting bike, while trying to explain all of this to the wife.
Do you find your chest can expand more riding a MTB?
Road bike positives
For commuting it's easier - more likely to commute more energy left for playtime.
For trainnig going fast is effortless and addictive so you're more likely to nail it = better training.
an hours road slog on a knobblied mtb may well be the same effort/training as an hours speedfest on a road bike but I know which I'd prefer to do.
Oh and a 700x23 wheel is quite a bit comfier than a 26" with 1" slicks
Road bikers often just have their head down and fly along - a bit too much like wizzing along in the car - no time to take it all in.
That's only the case when riding on the drops and proper going for it. Most of the time my hands are on the hoods or on the curve near the flat - can see fine like this and manage to "take it all in" - even stop to take photos sometimes.