mountain bike versus road bike

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2004-11-20 10:53 AM

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Subject: mountain bike versus road bike
how much faster can you go on a road bike or tri bike than on a mountain bike?

2004-11-20 11:25 AM
in reply to: #84900

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Elite
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Subject: RE: mountain bike versus road bike
much

just think what you got going for you on a tri bike/road bike

1. better aerodynamics

2. higher pressure tires for less rolling resistance

3. smaller tires for less rolling resistance

4. smoother tires for less rolling resistance


Edited by Steve- 2004-11-20 11:26 AM
2004-11-20 12:22 PM
in reply to: #84900


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Subject: RE: mountain bike versus road bike
This is just my experience.
Riding my hubby's mountain bike (too big) with sleek road tire: 13 miles/hr at 150< HR
Riding my OWN (fitted right) road bike: 15 miles/hr at 135 HR and PRICELESS

2004-11-20 12:46 PM
in reply to: #84900

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Master
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Subject: RE: mountain bike versus road bike
Just as a tri bike would never survive on a trail, so is a mtn bike ill suited for road conditions.  On pavement, its the difference between a Yugo and a Ferrari.  A tri bike is patent made for speed on hard, flat surfaces.  You can finish a tri on a mountain bike, or a tricycle for that matter.  But, if you changed nothing else, be it your swim, bike or run, and just changed from a mtn bike to a tri bike, you'd probably experience a drastic improvement in your finishing times.
2004-11-20 12:48 PM
in reply to: #84915

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Subject: RE: mountain bike versus road bike

5. Lighter weight

6. Better, more efficient position.

2004-11-20 1:05 PM
in reply to: #84900

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Elite
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Subject: RE: mountain bike versus road bike

And just plain more fun.

2004-11-20 3:14 PM
in reply to: #84900

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Subject: RE: mountain bike versus road bike
Much faster!! I used to struggle to keep up with my wife, on her road bike, with my mtn bike. Now on my road bike she struggles to keep up with me!!
2004-11-20 3:30 PM
in reply to: #84967

Expert
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Subject: RE: mountain bike versus road bike
I trained for 6 weeks on a Mtn bike then the last 4 weeks on my road bike prior to my first tri and saw a HUGH difference. I probably got 2 or 3 times better by switching.

Tony
2004-11-20 3:53 PM
in reply to: #84936

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Subject: RE: mountain bike versus road bike
Motivated - 2004-11-20 11:46 AM

On pavement, its the difference between a Yugo and a Ferrari.


Wouldn't the difference be a lifted Jeep with big tires, etc. vs. a Ferrari.
I like my Yugo road bike; it's the motor (me) that makes the Yugo keep up with all of those Ferarri's.
2004-11-21 7:23 PM
in reply to: #84900

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Subject: RE: mountain bike versus road bike
No question, if you are doing tri's get a road bike. A cheap road bike is far better than a good mountian bike. I have experienced both myself.

Nothing better than being in a sprint tri on my QR tri bike and coasting down a slight downhill past folks on mountain bikes who are grinding away to keep momentum going.

Kinda like swimming on knee length beach shorts in the pool doing drills or simply laps. Put on a Speedo and you will notice the difference immediately.

John

Edited by webguy 2004-11-21 7:24 PM
2004-11-22 8:30 AM
in reply to: #84900

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Champion
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Subject: RE: mountain bike versus road bike

There are a lot of ignored variables here, but for me personally, about 3-4 mph. Given a decent quality MTB with knobbys that fits and a road bike of comparable quality without aerobars that also fits.

There are a lot of variables in this equation.

If you put slick tires on an MTB, that changes the picture a whole lot.
If you add in a hilly course, that also changes things by tipping the scale in the favor of the MTB.
Throw a bigger front chainring on the MTB, and the difference comes down a bit more.
A lot of full-on XC racing bikes fit much like road bikes these days and put riders in a much more aerodynamic position than "back in a day"
It also depends on the quality of the respective bikes. (I'll take a 22 lbs Trek 9.8 MTB over a 1979 Sears FreeSpirit "ten-speed" any day).



2004-11-22 8:41 AM
in reply to: #84900

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Master
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Subject: RE: mountain bike versus road bike
Yes, I too have experienced the difference...You are much more efficient on a road bike. I rode this weekend with a friend on a hybrid, and she was having to work much too hard!
2004-11-22 2:43 PM
in reply to: #84900

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Expert
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Columbia, MO
Subject: RE: mountain bike versus road bike
Being new at this I must say that I'm looking so forward to getting a road bike, I'm riding my...drumroll please...HUFFY MTB right now and 15-17mph is brutal!
2004-11-22 4:30 PM
in reply to: #85575

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Expert
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Subject: RE: mountain bike versus road bike

I did my first tri last Saturday on a MTB.  One thing that helped with speed was getting smoother tires and pumping the tires up to the high end of the pressure range.  For example,  I felt I was dragging the entire family behind me during training and found my tires were at 24 lbs.  For the race Sat., they were at 75 lbs. (max was 80 lbs. on my particular tire).  I moved right along, but not as fast as I could on a road bike. Think how fast you will go training on a MTB and racing on a road bike!

 I am trying to be good so Santa will bring me a road bike for Christmas.



Edited by lifesgreat 2004-11-22 4:31 PM
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