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Hey, I am trying some off season training using my moutain bike on road. And for course I have slowed down a lot and was wondering what the big slow down really was. Is it the tires, the fact I am less aerodynamic, they way muscles are used sitting more upright, or more in my head then anything? If you have any good websites to explain why I suddenly can't keep up on this bike would be helpful. And your ideas would be great too.
All of the above! Knobby tires, significantly heavier bike, less aero position, less stiffness in the bike -- it all adds up -- quickly!
You did change the the tires out to slicks right? If not, exchange the tires out to narrower road slick and you will immedately notice some improvement. Just tougher to ride a MTBike on road than a road bioke. I keep trying to explain that to newbies who show up for rides and they don't have a road bike. It seems harder cause it is harder - you have to work much more than someone on a road bike.
I ride my mtb on the road during the winter months. I just figure pushing the extra weight and fatter tires makes me stronger. :D bikerhen
I have a mountain bike that is extremly light! About 19 pounds. It is a 14 inch frame (I am short) with carbon components. I have slicks on my wheels. Not only does that help with speed but it takes the vibration out too. My hands would go numb from my mtb tires. I will never go faster then the road bikes. just the way the bike is. Mtb's are not as stream line. I can keep up to a point but it sure is a lot more work. There was a pro once on my route and we talked for a while (me trying hard to keep up and not pass out) and he said the excersize I was getting riding my mtb on the road was a lot more then he was getting. That if i ever went over to a road bike I would be really stronge from all the extra work I have to do with my mtb.
I look at it this way, I ride by myself mostly so it doesn't matter. I am getting a little more of a work out which is why I started riding in the first place. So it works for me. Besides I feel safer on a mtb then a road bike but I have not had much experience on a road bike. I would like to though. My husband would not be happy buying me yet another bike!
Hey there CR... PedalWench has succintly listed the things that make the difference... just nodding my head in agreement here...
I suggest you do change from knobblies to slicks or semi-slicks - you will still find that a mtb on the road gives you a good workout.
Have fun!
I can't change to slicks beacuse I like to trail ride in the snow. It does seem to go faster on the snow though. I guess what annoyes me the most is the group I winter ride with all ride cross-bikes and they seem to hardly slow down from summer speed. I get dropped almost as quick as if they were riding a road bike. I guess I want to know about that as well.?