kmulder

I've just purchased a used Specialized Rockhopper recently and took it out today for my first real ride. It absolutely sucked.

Some background: I'd consider myself a road cyclist. I'm in pretty decent shape, have done some races, and enjoy going on 30+ mile rides 3x a week. I have no problem doing climbs on a road bike.

But, today, I felt like I was dragging a dead horse behind me. I had absolutely no energy to grab a bigger gear, stand up, and mash up the climbs. I found myself sitting down in the granny gear the whole time, spinning like mad, and sucking air. When it came time for a downhill, I simple sat down and coasted down, too tired from the climb to do anything.

I'm not sure what the deal was. Is MT. Biking just THAT much different than road biking? (muscles, etc.) Is the bike I got just that low-end? (it's in like-new condition) What's the deal!

To be honest, it felt like my tires were flat (which they weren't) and I was riding through loose sand the whole time (which I wasn't)

And even though it sucked, I still had a blast, and will hit the trails again to mix up my road riding.

zeo_max

MTB IS that much different from road cycling. MTB climbs will get the air out of your lungs much faster than a road climb. Learning to maintain momentum is also much more crucial in MTB than in roadie. There are many short climbs on the trails that can only be conquered by keeping momentum, no way to power through them. And obviously a lot more handling skill is required. Keep at it. You'll see that MTB will help your road biking, and road biking will help your MTB (increasing your cardio).

Darth_Firebolt

it's just different. bike is heavier, wheels & tires are heavier, your bike isn't "fit" for peak power all the time, knobbies roll less easy than slicks, etc.
did you drink water at all? did you eat right before your ride?

kmulder

Thanks for the reply zeo....I figured it was different, but didn't think it would be THAT much different. But then again, if I tried to run a mile......

Darth - I had water, and at about 1 hour before the ride.

Also, the ride was 9.8 miles with LOTS of steep little climbs and very few flat sections.

Al Slick

To second what max said already, momentum can be a key factor. I've learned to gain speed everywhere that I can in order to get up and over some of the more ridiculous climbs. I can get up a lot of steep hills now that I used to stall and fall on. If you're already riding 3 30mile rides a week on the road then you should learn to like off-roading very quickly!

Covalent Jello

SOunds like you just picked a lot of tough trails !

bchboy1206

I have to agree, well for me too I should say. MTB is a different animal. I went out to a 7 mile loop and it about killed me. I had to push my bike up a couple climbs.
I just think I am a little too old for it now. I may just put my mountain bike up for sale, thats how much I suffered...

Business810

As another roadie turned MTB'er, I can vouch for how big of a role skill and technique play. It can be really discouraging, having fitness but feeling really slow. You've got to keep at it, though, in order to improve.

I still am profoundly lacking in skill, but at least I have fun while I'm doing it...

Daspydyr 

Sounds kinda like skiing, you went straight to the Black diamonds. Get the feel for the bike on some easier trails and progress. But MTBing is a kick. The only reason for paved roads is to find new trails. The day to catching some air is only a few more rides away.

Daspydyr 

Hey, I'm 56 and enjoy riding. Dont sell the bike. I have some 7 mile loops around here that take an hour and include some portage. I also have found some 20 mile 3 hour loops that include a stop for a cigar. This is the fun sport. NEVER GIVE UP!

BurnNotice

Another fellow roadie hits the wall! Catdaddy.........don't give up on mtn. biking due to your first real ride. It is a different style of riding and while it does not use a different set of muscles, it attacks the muscles in a different way. I too ride alot on the saddle when mtn. biking as compared to road riding. You just don't have the stiffness in a mtn. bike as compared to a road frame. But why would you? You need the front fork and a if you ride "fs" then the rear gives some too for the beating you take on a great downhill trail with rocks and roots!

You may want to ride some easy trails to get your legs adjusted to the style of riding then progress to intermediate trails and then do it in stages! You will learn to like it and actually find where each compliment the other.

I think roadies are better at standing and smashing but trailers as I call mtn. bikers are more level endurant.

It still kicks my arse to this day depending on which trail we ride but I have to say, once I am screaming down the trail like a banshee with his arse on fire it is worth every smile!

BurnNotice

Try some of this too..............

estabro

Exactly.

W Cole

MTB biking is a lot different, I had a bit of trouble with the conversion as well, but its definately great training. With MTB you have to put out a lot of watts (25% hills are not uncommon) for a short period of time and then recover. On a roadbike you put out a much more steady wattage without ever really needing to recover. On the roadbike you can try doing hill repeats and shorter intervals to mimic mtb.

carkmouch

I know how the OP feels.

I recently borrowed a friend's mid/high-end Novarra mtn bike to take out on a local single track trail at a state park nearby. I usually ride out to the same lake on my touring bike, but getting out in the woods on a mountain bike let me experience the same park from a completely new level.

The ride through the woods kicked my ass. I got exhausted, dirty, and came close to hurting myself a few times. But the whole experience was sublime. It's hectic and loud when moving and peacefully silent when stopped. There's also no idiots yelling out the windows of a passing trucks - a definite plus.

Mountain biking though the woods is a whole different animal from riding on paved roads --- a whole new set of hazards and skill requirements present themselves, and it can be very challenging and intimidating to those of us who are used to just riding roads.

I definitely want to try it again soon.

Al Slick

Yeah dudes often tell me to "get a car" when I'm riding on the streets. The funny thing is I think my bike costs more than most of their autos.

BurnNotice

********** That came from left field!

Covalent Jello

lmao

Al Slick

See!!! Not totally random..

craigcraigcraig

you are all just a bunch of nancies.

Johnny Law

I took my Hardtail Giant on a 15 mile road ride to my Grandparents yesterday just for the fun of it.. It was really simple lol.. There were pretty tall hills and all but i didn't even notice them i just peddled right on through them and got there in about a 45 mins or so. So now i can say from experience.. Mountain Biking is a whole lot more difficult that road biking (In that case)

junkyard

I agree. It sounds like you guys just suck.

Loose Chain

I have a classic Stumpjumper M2 and compared to my Surly Cross Check or either of my 80s steel Italian racers it is like peddling through molasses even on smooth pavement much less off road but then, save for the Surly CC, none of my others bikes would hold up to rough trails etc. So it is what it is, fat, heavy tires and wheels and 26 inchers at that and a heavier bike all add up and the front suspension that sucks up energy also. It is mostly the wheels and TIRES, the squishy, knobby tires suck.

Al Slick

You suck!

BurnNotice

Yes your right! I guess when you have a AMC Gremlin or a Ford Pinto go by you then we all have bikes worth more than the cars.