PeaceGrabber

I see some lightweight hardtail Mountain Bike weight around 22 to 23 lbs. In term of weight, it is not a big differences compare with mid to low end model road bikes. Why you still ride a roadie? I am just curious to know. I heard many and many people said that it is more efficient, com'on 2 to 3 lbs lighter will not increase 3 mph in an average rider.

I like roadie because the drop style handle bar really helps when riding against the cross wind.

I like hardtail MTB because I can drive to anywhere I want. If I have the money for a new MT bike, I would install a roadie carbon fork on a Ti or CF mountain bike to reduce more weight.
At the end, I would be laughing if I drive pass a professional roadie beside me.

"I hluf and bluf and blow you down".

531Aussie

It's not really about the weight (time-trial bikes and track bikes are relatively beefy), unless you're riding up hills -- it's more about the rigidity and the wheels & tyres.

Having said that, I often see guys on MTBs keeping pace on fast group rides.

You may not notice the difference if you test rode a road bike, but if you rode a good one for a few months, the went back to the MTB, I'd say it would make your MTB fell like a bus by comparison.

531Aussie

You can still have fun blowing the doors off some guy on a 15lb bike, just buy a cheap old (but still nice) steel 80s road bike, which will probably weigh about 23lbs, then HAMMER AWAY!!

I'd say this is a better idea than puting a carbon fork on a MTB

BigFloppyLlama

[QUOTE=PeaceGrabber]I see some lightweight hardtail Mountain Bike weight around 22 to 23 lbs. In term of weight, it is not a big differences compare with mid to low end model road bikes./QUOTE]

That's the reason right there. To get that mountain bike down to 22-23 pounds you'll be spending a ton more than what that mid to low end road bike costs. Given an equal budget you'd see quite a larger difference than 3 pounds between the mountain and road bike.

Al.canoe

If the mountain bike is set up for dirt/off-road, it's no fun at all to ride on the road. I'm on my road bike 3 to 4 hours, I can't imagine riding flat bars and knobbies that long unless it's on dirt. I ride my mountain bike between 2 and 3 hours on dirt where it belongs. There's a heck of a lot more to cycling then bike weight. Weight, except for body weight, is not all that relevent except for competition and bragging.

Al

JBBOOKS

I have both!

joejack951

Ever look at how a mountain bike is geared? Assuming you aren't into spending lots of money for no reason, a low-end road bike comes stock geared much better for the street than any mountain bike. With a 42 at your biggest chain ring, you run out of gearing really quick going downhill on a mountain bike.

Retro Grouch 

So if you're so smart, how come you don't have the money?

RiPHRaPH

isn't what you are desribing a crossbike?

daratbastid

heheh

LordOpie

You're 22% faster on a road bike.

Ajay213

3lbs won't increase your speed 3mph, however riding in a more aero position will easily give you 3mph for the average rider on these forums. The upright position on a MTB just sucks when you are on the street riding into a good headwind.

And how much do you have to spend to get into a 23lb MTB? My hardtail is pretty far low on the price scale and weighs easily in the 30-35lb range. Even an entry level road bike, picked up for $400-600 will weigh in around 23lbs or lower.

Andrew

forum*rider

Motobecane Fly Team is $1700 and weighs in around 18lbs.

A roadie is more efficient because of the riding position and the wheels. Even if you put slicks on a mtb the roadie will still have the advantage of being more aerodynamic.

Eman

I think you should ride whatever you like. If you do ride in many different types of terrain, a MTB geometry may be best for you. Gary Fisher has some cool bikes called dual sports that have 29 inch wheels. A cyclocross bike also may be a real good choice. However, let me tell you, riding either you will not pass a road cyclist with the same fitness level, and certainly not a professional.

oldspark

I've go 1.5 inch 85 lb semi slick tires on my MB and it is still a tank compared to my road bike.

roadfix

Submitted to Troll Competition.

redfooj

excellent!

lowracer1

And one more comparison to fuel the fire.

A recumbent lowracer is roughly 25% more efficient than a road bike.

So if a roadie were to pass a mountain bike, both of the riders cranking out 300 watts, the lowracer would walk away from the roadie just as fast as the roadie is walking away from the mountain bike.
Thats all I have to add.

mcavana

Dude,

Mountain bikes are cool, and certainly have their place in the world. The fact is though on a long road ride, a road bike will get you there much faster, with much less energy. If you want to argue with these simple facts, please submit all future questions to: gettorider.com

LordOpie

where the heck did you come up with that number?!

Phiber

Cyclocross! I donlt think I would ever get a pure bred roadie. Unless I came up with a couple grand for a bday present

daratbastid

Oh god a recline-a-rider straggled into this now. Yeah yeah you guys may be faster and more comfortable and what not...but you just look damn freaky comming down the road

p38karl

[QUOTEAt the end, I would be laughing if I drive pass a professional roadie beside me]
How do you know that the roadie you are passing hasn't already done 80 or 90 miles already that day.

LordOpie

"I'm in the business... the business of kicking your ass and business is booming." ~ Meatwad, the troll-buster.