Road Bike or Comfort

[OakLeaf]

One of my riding buddies does most of his miles on his 29'er, even though he has a road bike. Including the first day of the Columbus Fall Challenge, 112 miles and 10,000 feet of climbing including several 25% climbs. With the knobby tires on (but yes, the suspension locked out).

I originally wrote "one of the strongest riders I know," but that's not even true. He rides his own pace and couldn't come close to keeping up with the really strong riders in our area. But he's gotten a lot stronger by riding his mountain bike regardless of the terrain.

What Mel said, as long as "bagging" a century means doing it as fast as possible, not just completing it.

Do an organized ride in Amish country some time. Most rides will have a few Mennonite women in their long dresses, on their heavy, upright, three-speed or single-speed bikes, nailing the century.

There are plenty of reasons for all of us to want a bike that's lighter, more aerodynamic, stiffer and more efficient. Not too many reasons any of us non-racers need one. If you want it and can afford it, go for it.