Training & Nutrition - Why can I climb better on my MTB than road bike???

For some reason, I groove right up hills---long or short---on my mountain bike, and drop my friends without even trying. Get me on my road bike and I get dropped by the same people on hills. What is going on here!!?? I have no idea what is making this difference.

I ride my road bike about 80% of the time, and average at least 100 miles a week. I've done many multi-day long bike trips and centuries, and I actually train on my road bike: intervals, hill repeats, and the like. I mountain bike infrequently, and never "train"---just do it for variety---yet this weirdness persists.

I'm guessing it might have to do with my position on the bike...

Any theories out there?

What's your gearing difference between the bikes? Is the road bike a compact frame with a sloping top tube?

What's your gearing difference between the bikes? Is the road bike a compact frame with a sloping top tube?

Does a sloping top tube affect climbing ability?

If your position on the MTB is more upright, you'll be able to put more force into the pedals by using the glutes and lower back. Look at the position of a pure climber on his bike: his bars are higher and farther back than a typical racing bike's. The real limit to climbing speed is heart rate, though, once the bike is set up for climbing.

That being said, a MTB can't begin to compete with a properly set up road bike for climbing. The MTB is heavier, and the tires have considerable rolling resistance.

I did a big 6000 ft. climb on my road bike, followed a couple weeks later with my MTB. The MTB was 12% slower, even though my heart rate was the same.

Are you outgeared on the road bike? That's the most obvious answer to me.

Gearing would be my thought. You get a lot more low range out of that MTB than a roadie.

If your position on the MTB is more upright, you'll be able to put more force into the pedals by using the glutes and lower back. Look at the position of a pure climber on his bike: his bars are higher and farther back than a typical racing bike's. The real limit to climbing speed is heart rate, though, once the bike is set up for climbing.

That being said, a MTB can't begin to compete with a properly set up road bike for climbing. The MTB is heavier, and the tires have considerable rolling resistance.

I did a big 6000 ft. climb on my road bike, followed a couple weeks later with my MTB. The MTB was 12% slower, even though my heart rate was the same.

Ah, I didn't mean to imply I can climb faster on my MTB than road directly compared---I'm sure if I rode the exact same hill on each I would be much faster on the road, for the very reasons you just named. I was speaking of a relative comparison, and using my riding companions as a measure.

I do indeed have a compact frame and compact crank---a Dean titanium with DuraAce. Sweet bike I want to be more worthy of! I do not think the problem is being outgeared, though - I've got a 34x25, and never have to grind (except on insanely steep pitches, and then we're all in the same boat). Used to have a triple on my road bike, but now I actually climb faster with the compact.

I just don't seem to have the same feeling of power as on the MTB...The difference between attacking hills with glee and just surviving as my friends recede in the distance in front of me. :( Someone also mentioned the MTB having more low-end gearing, which I'm sure helps, but I also tend to climb in a higher gear (lower cadence) on the MTB than on my roadie.

Crank lengths the same?

Good question, I think not. I'll check...