Mountain bike vs. road bike question...?

Question

I signed up for a 100 mile bike ride this past weekend and was only able to do the 62.5 mile course. I was literally the only person there with a mountain bike and everyone else had a road bike. It took me 7 hours and the entire riding time allowed was 9 hours, so I couldn't have done the 100 automatically. Some friends have said a road bike would have made a huge difference. I'm in decent shape and people in much worse shape were blowing by me on their bikes. Can someone explain this to me? Were my friends right about road bikes?

Answer 1

My brothers used to ride road and mountain bikes, and one of them worked in a shop for years. The road bikes are much lighter, as are the tires and rims that go on a road bike. If the bike you used were a road bike, and you are in decent shape, I'd be sure you would be able to make it on a road bike.

Mountain bikes are more for dirt trail usage and by default are built with more stability and can take blows better.

Yes, your friends were right about road bikes.

Answer 2

It depends on how much training you've had. A road bike will be good if you've been training on one. Typically they are smaller, much lighter and use thinner tires to cut through wind but that doesn't necessarily mean you'll keep up with those who have been riding for a long time. Road bikes also have less speeds than mountain bikes. And they're also typically more expensive since the frames are made of lighter and stronger materials compared to mountain bikes.

If you look into a road bike I'd suggest taking your time to read into them and try them out at the shops as much as you can so you know you've made a good decision.

Answer 3

Sure a road bike will be faster depending on several things. But I'm curious, if riders are blowing by you - how in the world do you know you're in better shape than them? If you were they would not be blowing past you even on road bikes.

Answer 4

If you have the money a road bike is a nice addition. If you are on a tight budget just get a set of road tires for your mtn bike. As far as how much faster is a road bike first consider this, in the big ring gear (44t) and with a 11t rear, pedaling at 90rpm will get you 30mph, do you need more speed? Your comment on people in "worse shape" is not a good one as peoples looks can be very deceiving. I've seen people who look like they have never been off the couch fly down the road, so never underestimate an others ability based on looks. Your average speed was under 10mph and that tells me you need to work on getting into "decent shape" for biking. The bike does not appear to be the issue here.

Answer 5

Road bikes are much more efficient. That's it.

The frame and forks are lighter, pretty much every component is lighter, they have thin (usually treadless) tyres which are run at a much higher pressure, they're more aerodynamic (frame shape and the riding position) and have a gear ratios more suited to speed rather than mountain biking over tricky terrain. All of these factors add up to the rider being able to use his/her energy much more efficiently, meaning they can go faster/further.

If you don't want a road bike, to get an advantage, I'd suggest getting some slick 26" tyres and some clipless pedals.

edit - LayerWAN - Road bikes can have up to 30 gears...h**l Campag are bringing out 11 speed soon, meaning you could have up to 33 gears!

Answer 6

yes road bikes are much faster on roads

Answer 7

Yes, you friends are correct. I have a mountain bike with road tires and off-road tires. Just putting the road tires on makes a world of difference, but I'd still get killed by an average cyclist on a road bike. They have different gearing, are far lighter, and have way less rolling resistance. My mountain bike tops out around 25MPH (according to my friends computer) with the road tires and me pedaling as fast as I can. Road bikes can do that easy.

Answer 8

I agree with several people here. 62 miles in 7 hours is very slow (9mph) - even on a MTB. Appearently the out of shape people you see are more in shape than you. Say we take 20% as the speed increase for a road over MTB. Your speed would have been <11 mph (very slow). You either had your brakes on the whole time or you really need to exercise.

Answer 9

Even with road-type slicks, a mountain bike will be slower than a road bike. The frame and wheels will be heavier, and it'll put you in a less aerodynamic position with fewer hand positions. Road tires are skinnier than big knobbies, and will automatically lower your gearing even more than it is already.

You don't say how much of your time was spent riding and how much was spent at stops; but if much of it was at stops, then that's the first thing you need to work on. If it was non-stop, gearing isn't your issue. Although I disagree with the over-simplification of running around everywhere in your 44/11. I try to pick my gearing so that I can cruise on flat ground with 2 gears left for tailwinds and downhills.

Answer 10

Typically you'll be 20-25% faster on a road bike than a mountain bike.  Weight, gearing, aerodynamics of the bike and rider's position all contribute to this.

HOWEVER, based on your description,  your motor was a bigger factor than your bike.  

100 miles is significant even for a serious rider.   Next time put in more miles in advance.

Answer 11

Indeed they were.   Any kinda distance ride is best done on a road bike;  bigger wheels, more efficient tires, better suited gearing.

Answer 12

road bikes are lighter have less rolling resitance because of narrow tires and have higher gearing making them much faster