Road Cycling - A Roadie Yet?

Hey everyone,

Yes, my bike is an mtb, but I really think I'm a roadie at heart and am definitely becoming more and more road oriented than mountain oriented. Since I bought my bike about 6 weeks ago, I've only been mountain biking on it once, and total my road to off-road mileage is a little bit over 40:1.

Granted, the most I've ridden is a little bit over 22 miles, I do ride about 6.5 every day and just rode 17.66 and am riding in a 46.5 mile ride tomorrow in which I plan on going for the big 50 on. Also, I've added slicks and all the repair equipment that go along with slicks to make my bike more roadable, though I do plan on buying a road bike within the year depending on the cash flow.

Anyways, I like to think of myself as a roadie now even though I don't ride for huge distances yet, but if I can get in 50 tomorrow I think that'll be quite an accomplishment. Anyways, just my roading so far I guess...I'd say I'm a roadie, just not hardcore yet since I'm still on an mtb with slicks, but that will change soon.

Shane

A bike is a bike.
A mtb with slicks is a great bike for the road.There is so many good tires now for the road going mtbs i sometimes wonder if its needed to buy a road bike(unless your a pro rider)
If you are happy and comfortable with your mtb with slicks why change?
If you need a bigger inch gear you can always get that sorted when your gearing needs changing.
Its funny most people i know never stay long on the dropsof their road bike anyway,so if you have bar ends your sorted.

Originally posted by ORBIT 1
A bike is a bike.
A mtb with slicks is a great bike for the road.There is so many good tires now for the road going mtbs i sometimes wonder if its needed to buy a road bike(unless your a pro rider)
If you are happy and comfortable with your mtb with slicks why change?


I have both (mtn bike with slicks and road bike) and I rode the mtn bike as a road bike for quite a period of time before getting the roadie. Believe me, there IS a difference. I am not quite sure how to put it in words, but, then, I don't have to. Anyway, when I jump on the road bike I feel as if I am flying. The mtn bike with slicks - as if I am laboring.

Originally posted by DnvrFox
I have both (mtn bike with slicks and road bike) and I rode the mtn bike as a road bike for quite a period of time before getting the roadie. Believe me, there IS a difference. I am not quite sure how to put it in words, but, then, I don't have to. Anyway, when I jump on the road bike I feel as if I am flying. The mtn bike with slicks - as if I am laboring.

I agree, while a mountain bike on the street is ok, there is nothing like a road bike for all out riding. It's sort of like comparing an SUV's to a sports car. The SUV is ok on the road, especially to people who have no clue about automobiles and their capabilities, but they obviously can't compete with cars, let alone sports cars.

So, much like a mountain bike, throw street tires on just about any SUV or truck and you will have a pretty ok time on the street. But, no matter what you do, that truck is never going to handle as nice, accelerate as well or brake as hard as a sports car (obviously).

That said, most people have no intention of testing the limits of their car or their own driving ability (nor do they have any business doing so), and use their cars to get from point A to point B and nothing more. These people see nothing wrong driving an SUV on the street, much some people don't see problem with running a mountain bike on the street.

The differences become apparent however when you start to push the car or bike and you realize that the SUV or mountain bike has a much lower performance limit than the car or road bike.

This might be a poor analogy, but hopefully you get the point. :)

Take a trip on a road bike, and see for yourself. You can rent them for a small fee at most bike trails, at least there are two that I know of where I live. See the difference for yourself.

It shouldnt matter what people thing of you as, as long as you have fun.

Originally posted by Trek4100
Yes, my bike is an mtb, but I really think I'm a roadie at heart and am definitely becoming more and more road oriented than mountain oriented.

You don't find mountain biking to be fun anymore?

Originally posted by Trek4100
Hey everyone,

Yes, my bike is an mtb, but I really think I'm a roadie at heart and am definitely becoming more and more road oriented than mountain oriented. Since I bought my bike about 6 weeks ago, I've only been mountain biking on it once, and total my road to off-road mileage is a little bit over 40:1.

Granted, the most I've ridden is a little bit over 22 miles, I do ride about 6.5 every day and just rode 17.66 and am riding in a 46.5 mile ride tomorrow in which I plan on going for the big 50 on. Also, I've added slicks and all the repair equipment that go along with slicks to make my bike more roadable, though I do plan on buying a road bike within the year depending on the cash flow.

Anyways, I like to think of myself as a roadie now even though I don't ride for huge distances yet, but if I can get in 50 tomorrow I think that'll be quite an accomplishment. Anyways, just my roading so far I guess...I'd say I'm a roadie, just not hardcore yet since I'm still on an mtb with slicks, but that will change soon.

Shane

if you want to feel the road, replace those judy shocks on your 4100 with an Aluminum non suspension fork. You can improve power transfer because of lesser flex(bounce) when you pedal hard. And because AL forks are shorter, your top tube will appear to be more horizontal, typical on compact frames. Your seat tube will appear to be more vertical too... You can get forks such as these as low as $20. No need to replace the headset.

If you want you can put aero bars(you can get them for about $50). That way you don't need to buy new shifters/brakes, etc. Your bike will look like a traithlon bike w/ 650C wheels.. If you want to use 700C rims, you can use disc brakes(I don't think regular Vbrakes will reach the rim).

The next step is to put in a Road Crankset(about $50-120). After this "transformation". Your 4100 would look like the Trek FX hybrid series..

So this transformation would cost roughly $120(and you have decent parts).