The Next Step...downhill, dual crown, getting shreddy!

[bathedinshadow]

i'm sure there's some crossover, but generally i feel like they're pretty different.

as you said, body position is not at all similar, the bikes FEEL completely different, etc. i think road riding helps with cadence and spinning on a mtn bike, and mtn biking helps with general comfort on a road bike (and vice-versa), as well as overall strength and fitness. they're pretty different though. for example, i'm a total weenie on mellow, predictable (and SMOOTH) road declines, and yet i'll blast down steep slopes littered with rocks and general instruments of death on my mountain bike.

to me, road riding is infinitely scarier than riding DH or XC. my road bike is so light and the tires are SO skinny, and i feel like i'm constantly fending off traffic, potholes, sticks, etc., etc. i'm not saying one or the other is better, just different. and also pointing out how scared i am on my road bike compared to my cushy, squishy and forgiving mountain bike for the benefit all you more competent road riders who think mountain biking is scary.

I definitely agree with this. Except I do say that MTB is better. :P

[limewave]

I am a weenie on the road bike too. There's a big hill by us and if I think it may even be remotely slick, I suggest an alternative route. I'll sit up and brake on the descent.

. . . but on my XC bike, I'm a totally different person--especially when I race. I'm a machine. I don't think about the obstacles, just the finish line. I've been having flash-backs to sections of the race I just did and it freaks me out thinking I did some of the things that I did. I never would do that in "real-life."



I hate when I've been doing too much road riding and then get on my xc bike. I end up riding the first few miles like I'm on a road bike and that is never good.

I'll have to give DH a try. I don't think there's any place near us that we could rent bikes, but if we make a trip out east or west, I'll have to look into it.

[bathedinshadow]

I won't even bother riding my road bike if it's at all wet out. I just have images of those skinny little tires slipping out from under me going around a corner at 30mph and that's enough to keep me off of it. I also get speed wobbles on my road bike once I hit like 38mph. I feel far more stable on my MTB.