Road Cycling - Why so few road bikes?

In our area we see many group/club tours passing through (Charlevoix Mi on US31). Thursday we saw a group come through and here is what I saw. Probably 90% were MTB's, most looked untrained (out of cadence, no consideration for traffic etc) and for the rest stop they chose McD's!

What I really cant figure out is why so many ride these heavy/slow MTB's on the open road. They must have been dying on that hilly stretch!




Olds

Well, I think you answered your own question. They were amateurs. Either a start up club for newbies or just some people who don't ride enough to spend >$300 on a road bike. A lot of people get started just riding what they've got... and most of the time that's a MTB.

Yeah, I guess maybe it's a bit forward or naive to ask/wonder. MTB's have become "industry standard" for the grab-and-run bike for casuals. If only they could ride a road racer one time....



Olds

I'm shopping for a road bike right now. I'm much more drawn to the pleasures of road riding these days, and am sort of putting my MTB days behind me. While I save and shop for the roadie, I continue to ride my MTB on the road (with rain tires, not nobbies) to prove to myself how much I want a road bike. It's cycling that counts the most, but I can't wait to make the transition. Suffice to say, few roadies I come across give me the time of day. A few have been cool, asked me what's up, so that has been nice. It just feels so damn good to be out there, I wish I had the right bike to complete the experience. Soon though.

As for folks who don't have a good cadence or know the rules of the road, well, n00bs are n00bs. I rode a 40 mile charity ride last year (on the knobbies :rolleyes: ) and there were plenty of n00bs on road bikes, too. Plus the novices on hybrids, full make up, helmet pushed waaay back on the head, barely able to maintain balance. iPod a safety bonus.

I'm shopping for a road bike right now. I'm much more drawn to the pleasures of road riding these days, and am sort of putting my MTB days behind me. While I save and shop for the roadie, I continue to ride my MTB on the road (with rain tires, not nobbies) to prove to myself how much I want a road bike. It's cycling that counts the most, but I can't wait to make the transition. Suffice to say, few roadies I come across give me the time of day. A few have been cool, asked me what's up, so that has been nice. It just feels so damn good to be out there, I wish I had the right bike to complete the experience. Soon though.

As for folks who don't have a good cadence or know the rules of the road, well, n00bs are n00bs. I rode a 40 mile charity ride last year (on the knobbies :rolleyes: ) and there were plenty of n00bs on road bikes, too. Plus the novices on hybrids, full make up, helmet pushed waaay back on the head, barely able to maintain balance. iPod a safety bonus.



Lucien2, my son rides with me using a MTB. It kicks his butt on the hills :). You're right....nothing like being out there, on the open road with the wind singing in the front spokes.



Olds

In our area we see many group/club tours passing through (Charlevoix Mi on US31). Thursday we saw a group come through and here is what I saw. Probably 90% were MTB's, most looked untrained (out of cadence, no consideration for traffic etc) and for the rest stop they chose McD's!

What I really cant figure out is why so many ride these heavy/slow MTB's on the open road. They must have been dying on that hilly stretch!




Olds


I prefer innefficient, it makes you work harder, and that in turn makes you stronger ;)

anyways, on my DB Outlook, I tended to run with the roadies reasonably well....on climbs they will kill me, but I tend to catch up well on the downhill.

It boggles the mind how many people own inefficient mountain bikes while never leaving the pavement.

Why would anyone do a MS 150 type ride and choose to use a MTB?

Why would anyone do a MS 150 type ride and choose to use a MTB?

My brother does that but that's because he only owns a MTB and can't afford a roadbike right now. Also, he's primarily a MTBer. I used to be the same way but now split my time half-and-half so I have a roadbike. I have considered using my MTB on the STP just to do something different. It's interesting to mix it up a little. One year there was a unicyclist riding the STP. I've seen people ride long road rides on all kinds of bikes. One might have asked the fixed gear riders who road the 200 miles from Seattle to Portland why they didn't choose a multigear bike.

It boggles the mind how many people own inefficient mountain bikes while never leaving the pavement.

Why would anyone do a MS 150 type ride and choose to use a MTB?



I would think those of this crowd own an SUV that has never been off asphalt :)

(I'm a jeeper, too)




Olds

Why would anyone do a MS 150 type ride and choose to use a MTB?

Answer


I prefer innefficient, it makes you work harder, and that in turn makes you stronger

Of course the real answer is probably mtb market penetration and the fact that it's priced lower than even an entry level road bike. With proper slicks, an MTB can be turned into a semi-road bike.

And like catatonic said, once we move to road bikes, watch out!

Nah...I have a few MTBs, one is a slightly hopped-up entry level bike (it has cruiser gearing, so it thouldnt really be called an MTB..), the other being a very nice hardtail with shimano LX components....I ride em both on pavement...the entry level one was converted into a city masher since I commuted frequently, and at that time could not afford a roadbike...

...but now that i had the cash to drop, I chose an MTB since I do like trail riding...I may not do it often, but I do use it :)

...plus I like the riding stance an MTB offers. Anywho I woundn't worry too hard about what one chooses to ride anyways. I find recumbents to be rather annoying..but different strokes for different folks.

I enjoy trolling the streets for MTBer on my road bike . I try and smile and say hello as I blow by them :) Just Like I did today on my 50 miler . He treid to catch up , but I was in my zone . I must have been averaging over well over 20 mph cause I was using cars to draft :)
jar

I think the reason why is because people in Michigan are unsophisticated, rustic people. I once went to Michigan. People there are living apart from the rest of the earth.

I don’t knock any body for riding a bike whether it is Huffy or Trek. I will ride with them. Because what speak more is they’re legs than the bike. Plus go to any department store, and most of them only carry mountain bike. Some will carry hybrid or cruiser. Most entry level road bikes are more than most people one week pay check. But is a good investment for the body, if a person can get one.

David

that's another thing....new roadbikes are rather costly to say the least. They are more than my paycheck....well the cheapest new ones might fit in one of my paychecks...but i doubt it.

It would be nice to see a $300 roadbike, cro-moly frame, shimano gearing (nothing hot, just something reliable), and solid brakes. Even if it's 30lbs...just an entry level roadbike. I doubt that will ever happen though.

its the same here...

So many MTBs, roadies are rare..

But this is because we have lots of trails here.. There are very few Road races.. But there are several MTB XC, DH, etc events.. So it is understandable that not only "amatuers" get on MTBs.

In fact all the roadies I know have an MTB. we ride our MTBs on sunday trail rides. The roadbikes on the other days.

I think when people decide to get a bike for exercise, they are intimidated by the handlebars, skinny tires, and gearing on road bikes. MTB bikes with their flat handlebars, big old tires and more upright posture look so much more accessible. So people tend to gravitate to MTBs. Hopefully, they eventually tumble onto the joys of the road bike.

Pessi...whats up with that?!?! People from MI are what? I agree with DMD70!
Does it really matter what kind of bike you use? I ride my mountain bike anywhere
i like :) You ever take one of those road bikes on a mountain bike trail?
Thats the beauty of a mountain bike, your not limited to where and how you can ride.
I guess im like the riders in Michigan, not too sophisticated and ummm rustic HA!
Im not afraid to get a little dirt on me or my bike :) Some of us aren't all that interesed in looking like a Tour De France rider or being politically correct :)
Just an opinion from a unsophisticated and rustic guy from Kentucky.
GBY

I don't know about you guys, but my position on my MTB is not that much different than when I'm on my road bike with my hands on the tops. It's about the same angle.

And most trail riding around here can easily be done on a road bike. Look at what the cyclocross guys do.

Pessi...whats up with that?!?! People from MI are what? I agree with DMD70!
Does it really matter what kind of bike you use? I ride my mountain bike anywhere
i like :) You ever take one of those road bikes on a mountain bike trail?
Thats the beauty of a mountain bike, your not limited to where and how you can ride.
I guess im like the riders in Michigan, not too sophisticated and ummm rustic HA!
Im not afraid to get a little dirt on me or my bike :) Some of us aren't all that interesed in looking like a Tour De France rider or being politically correct :)
Just an opinion from a unsophisticated and rustic guy from Kentucky.
GBY

Good,stay on the trail and leave our road paths to us. Lets see,they have mbt trails for mtb's and hiking trails for hikers,walking paths for walkers and running paths for joggers. Oh,i forgot,they have bikepaths for,EVERYONE. Where do we go. Keep yout dam dirt bike in the dirt and leave us alone. Hows that?

erm, that's a lovely attitude. I think the point he's making is, if you're going to have one bike, an MTB makes sense because it's more or less all-purpose.

Thats my attitude. The bike path here is marked bikepath,not runners,walkers,or anything else. Next to it are miles of parks with a jogging track,sidewalks to run,walk,push your baby but no,they come to the bikepath and look at us like we are the devil,in there way. The do there thing across both bike lanes,going the wrong way and everything you can think of and if your riding,its stop and go,stop and go. Now the high schools track team is using it for pratice and wow,they dont move,you move or stop.So now where do bikes go,into the streets where the cars should be,on the sidewalk,bet all those using our bikepaths would love that. They make a place for us to use and be out of the way and everybody else takes it over and then we are the bad guys for using our bikepath. If they would stay to one side,go in the right direction but they do dam well what they want and you beeter stay out of our way if your on your BIKE on this BIKEPATH. So,stay of the path and let us have a olace to ride. We ask so little.

Well, I think you answered your own question. They were amateurs. Either a start up club for newbies or just some people who don't ride enough to spend >$300 on a road bike. A lot of people get started just riding what they've got... and most of the time that's a MTB.

Just how much money did you make last year as a rider? Did you earn a living at it? Then I submit that YOU are an amateur, as are the vast majority of us on this board.

You know, these arguments are just plain stupid. Celebrate the fact that they're out on a bike, enjoying the ride and getting the health benefits. Don't worry about whether they're "out of cadence" (what the hell does that mean, anyway?) or riding what you so hautily look down your nose at as lesser bikes.

Biking's biking. Period.

Thats my attitude. The bike path here is marked bikepath,not runners,walkers,or anything else. Next to it are miles of parks with a jogging track,sidewalks to run,walk,push your baby but no,they come to the bikepath and look at us like we are the devil,in there way. The do there thing across both bike lanes,going the wrong way and everything you can think of and if your riding,its stop and go,stop and go. Now the high schools track team is using it for pratice and wow,they dont move,you move or stop.So now where do bikes go,into the streets where the cars should be,on the sidewalk,bet all those using our bikepaths would love that. They make a place for us to use and be out of the way and everybody else takes it over and then we are the bad guys for using our bikepath. If they would stay to one side,go in the right direction but they do dam well what they want and you beeter stay out of our way if your on your BIKE on this BIKEPATH. So,stay of the path and let us have a olace to ride. We ask so little.

Now THAT I agree with 100%. But you told the guy to keep his bike off your bike path just 'coz it isn't a roadie. "Keep yout dam dirt bike in the dirt and leave us alone." I believe was the statement. I just have a problem with that. I don't mountain bike anymore. I'm saving up for a road bike, but in the mean time I'm riding my MTB on the road. Your original statement seemed to suggest that I should sod off and sit on a personal trainer until I have a road bike. ;)

I have both a roadie and an MTB, and honestly, my MTB is far more comfortable especially in climbing hills road or trail. I will grant the road bike is faster on the road than the MTB but it is not nearly as comfortable. The MTB is a competition style and a little more on the aggresive side when it comes to ride position. At $1600 it was in no way a cheap entry model, but a well thought out purchase. I am not out for a mileage or speed record, I am not racing the flashy full kit riders. I am out riding and having a good time watching the scenery go by and the miles rack up. I like being able to see a dirt road or a path along a river and not worrying about the trashing my wheels to explore a new vista.

Not knocking roadies in any way, but for me the ride is more than number of miles, rate of speed, and how many people I dropped along the way. Sometimes when I see those folks with their heads down, pumping away, not even time to say hi to folks they pass along the way, what a lonely riding style it must be.

In the end to each their own, we all have a style we are more comfortable with, it bothers me though that anyone thinks their style or their bike is better than anyone elses, and has to degrade someone who rides differently or something different. We are all out there riding our bikes, isn't that what its all about?

Do you think the mtb riders would like me on the trails they use on my road bike? I could do it,slowly and being careful and they would most likly wonder why in the hell am i there? ROAD bike. MTB bike. DIRT bike. I dont say anything to anyone riding any kind of bike but its pretty dam packed anywhere a road bike is suppose to be. Dont worry,they are going to take away any place a mtb can go anyway just like they did when i rode dirt motorcycles. Hurting the dirt and bushes,all that stuff.

Probably 90% were MTB's, most looked untrained (out of cadence, no consideration for traffic etc) and for the rest stop they chose McD's!

What I really cant figure out is why so many ride these heavy/slow MTB's on the open road. They must have been dying on that hilly stretch!




Olds[/QUOTE]
You would not realize it by the bike population in the area I live; but, talking to bike shop people- like less than 20% of the bikes sold in the US are road bikes.
Mountain bikes are the huge sales market, compared to Road/race bikes? BMX bikes even far outpace road bike production/sales.
Sales staff told me that a couple years ago..Guess it is true? So according to statistics, then we are far more likely to see such a blend of bikes that you saw in Petoskey.
The US is just not a bike culture, no?

FWIW, many many years ago, I used to cyclotour on my fully rigid MTB. At the time, I had only one bike and was primarily a MTBer. I used that bike for both XC and DH racing. I used that bike for commuting to school and work. I used that bike for recreational rides, for touring, for road riding, etc. I picked my routes to include all types of terrain including as many offroad sections as possible. A roadbike would not have worked at all. However, I did have to ride my MTB over paved sections and it worked out fine. When you're interested in all of biking and have only one bike, you make do with what you have.

I think the reason why is because people in Michigan are unsophisticated, rustic people. I once went to Michigan. People there are living apart from the rest of the earth.



Yah, eh?! :)


olds

Yah, eh?! :)


olds

Sophisticated or not, at least they have Internet connectivity. Of course the web browser they use up there leaves a little bit to be desired. :D

http://www.neebu.net/~khuon/images/yooperscape.jpeg

Sophisticated or not, at least they have Internet connectivity. Of course the web browser they use up there leaves a little bit to be desired. :D

http://www.neebu.net/~khuon/images/yooperscape.jpeg






Long live Jimmer!

(Escanaba in da moonlight)



Olds

I think the reason why is because people in Michigan are unsophisticated, rustic people. I once went to Michigan. People there are living apart from the rest of the earth.
Sorry Pessi..I like your avatar and appreciate a member of the Forum who actually rode the TDF...I do suggest you have not traveled Michigan that well?
Have you.?.I hail from Ann Arbor.
.East Lansing. Kalamazoo, Traverse City. Michigan has lots of bright spots..The Ann Arbor area has as many expereinced cyclists as anywhere. Many other Michigan cities have the same story...
I suggest this observer just saw an inexperienced bunch..It could happen anywhere...I think people all over are the same. Urban America has much the same sad story everywhere.
I am told now Hamilton, Ont. has been devasted with deindustralization.
Before one condemns 9 million people we need ask ourselves; do we have a good representation.
As to Yoopers...That is "god's country." Maybe the roads could be better over much of the area...But, cyclists there during the warm months...They are cycling 'God's country." Lucky you.

"Not knocking roadies in any way, but for me the ride is more than number of miles, rate of speed, and how many people I dropped along the way. Sometimes when I see those folks with their heads down, pumping away, not even time to say hi to folks they pass along the way, what a lonely riding style it must be."


That's why when I go "off road" I am walking. I actually see much more of my surroundings than when driving or riding a bicycle. I might use an MTB to get back in there, but when it really counts I want no connection to any mechanical transportation.

Some of you guys are pretty amusing with your attitudes, some seem very childish and arrogant. So what are you gonna say to a 14 yr old boy riding his mountain bike on the street?? I say...Wow...nice bike man! Most people dont know the difference between a mountain bike and a road bike and most dont care, as long as it serves the
purpose. Now get over your "My bike is better than yours" attitude, chances are those
guys on mountain bikes could out pedal you, uphill, downhill or on the flat!!! Now go out and be nice to someone today, you might be surprised how good you'll feel :)
Who knows, one day you might just see a guy like me riding his mountain bike on
the street and find it in your heart to give him your road bike as a gift....whatta
ya think???? HA!

You know... this is an interesting thread, because a friend and I were just having a conversation about this the other day. I own a Trek 2300... nothing super fancy, but to most people, $2000 on a bike is fairly ridiculous. Cyclists understand, but the majority of people that you see out there are not "cyclists"; they are bike riders. I don't mean that to sound snobby, but there is a difference between a person who considers himself a cyclist and one who considers himself a bike rider. For most bike riders, whose bikes will spend less than two hours per week on the bike trails, a $150 MTB is absolutely fine. They don't spend enough time on tehir bikes to really understand the performance difference between an MTB and a finely-tuned road rocket. It doesn't make that person dumb. Perhaps they are uninformed, but at the level they enjoy cycling, they don't need to be informed. I think that if someone could make a decent-looking, solid road bike under $200 and mass market it, then you probably would see more road bikes out there- probably still not as many as you see of MTBs, but this is America and we are a rugged, mountain man sort of culture.

What I really cant figure out is why so many ride these heavy/slow MTB's on the open road.
Have you ever noticed that when a non-cyclist (or new cyclist) enters a bike shop they head straight for the mountain bikes and hybrids?
That's what they see in magazine ads and television commercials. I guess they assume that road bikes are for the pros or the youngsters. :)
Well I'm 59 and have two road bike, so am I a pro :rolleyes: or a youngster. :D

Sorry Pessi..I like your avatar and appreciate a member of the Forum who actually rode the TDF...I do suggest you have not traveled Michigan that well?
Have you.?.I hail from Ann Arbor.
.East Lansing. Kalamazoo, Traverse City. Michigan has lots of bright spots..The Ann Arbor area has as many expereinced cyclists as anywhere. Many other Michigan cities have the same story...
I suggest this observer just saw an inexperienced bunch..It could happen anywhere...I think people all over are the same. Urban America has much the same sad story everywhere.
I am told now Hamilton, Ont. has been devasted with deindustralization.
Before one condemns 9 million people we need ask ourselves; do we have a good representation.
As to Yoopers...That is "god's country." Maybe the roads could be better over much of the area...But, cyclists there during the warm months...They are cycling 'God's country." Lucky you.





Shhhhhhhhh! C'mon, dont give away the secret!! If Pessi (ironically a Canuck) finds out he may give it another try :)


For the record......I dont mind MTB's on the road or paths. Just cant figure out why someone would endure the extra physical expenditure knowing there is a better way. Especially so when riding on intra-state tours as such.



Olds

Most non-cyclist think you have to be in the drops all the time and that doesnt seem like a way they want to ride so they go for the upright mtb or hybrid.

Have any of you tried explaining WHY they should spend 3x more for a bike? I've tried and it's no use. Several of my friends own department store bikes and ride them maybe 1 or 2 times a month. One friend spend $400 on her Raleigh and it sat in her garage for 3 years before she took it out.

Many times, when I mention that I rode my bike to work or to the movies (about an hour away on bike) I get this weird mixture of pity and admiration. "Awww, you're crazy! You should have just called me, I would have picked you up." When I explain to them that I wanted to ride that hour and I could have gotten to the other theater in under 10 minutes or that I enjoy riding my bike, the admiration turns to confusion. :)

The truth is, many people who buy bikes, buy them as toys to be used once or twice before the newness wears off and begin to collect dust. They just don't see them as valid transportation or "sport". They then price them accordingly. The MNT bikes are in their budget and are easy to come by.

The real fun part was trying to explain to them why I spent $30 on my used bicycle and $80 on my new brooks saddle!

Vincent

Have any of you tried explaining WHY they should spend 3x more for a bike? I've tried and it's no use. Several of my friends own department store bikes and ride them maybe 1 or 2 times a month. One friend spend $400 on her Raleigh and it sat in her garage for 3 years before she took it out.

Many times, when I mention that I rode my bike to work or to the movies (about an hour away on bike) I get this weird mixture of pity and admiration. "Awww, you're crazy! You should have just called me, I would have picked you up." When I explain to them that I wanted to ride that hour and I could have gotten to the other theater in under 10 minutes or that I enjoy riding my bike, the admiration turns to confusion. :)

The truth is, many people who buy bikes, buy them as toys to be used once or twice before the newness wears off and begin to collect dust. They just don't see them as valid transportation or "sport". They then price them accordingly. The MNT bikes are in their budget and are easy to come by.

The real fuin part was trying to explain to them why I spent $30 on my used bicycle and $80 on my new brooks saddle!

Vincent



To borrow a quote from the Jeep culture (which I am part of), "It's a cyclist thing, you wouldnt understand".





Olds

BOOOOOO poor reasoning! <smile> Explain to me not why i should pay 3 times as much for a limited use road bike but explain why i would want to? So far im hearing
because mountain bikes are heavy and more diffacult.....is'nt this all about challenge anyway? If i want easy i'll hop in one of my trucks. To think of a person who rides a
mountain bike on the street as less a cyclist is ...well...not very cool. Again, some of
us are not trying to look or ride like Tour de France riders, we are not politically correct
and i for one dont worry so much about other riders who wont even throw their hand up when you pass by. Ok...bottom line is...mountain bikes are go anywhere bikes, street bikes are of limited use...now...get a mountain bike, go get some dirt on ya and some blood ...a few bruises ...whats that Arnold said? Girlie man???? haha
No offense but we're all created equally, some just use their equallity more creatievely
(however ya spell it)

i'm not flame-baiting when i say this, but the mtb thing strikes me as being very american. really, i guess it's just as well that there aren't any $279 entry level road bikes with plastic components - it makes it that much easier to tell the ppl who are cyclists from the ppl who just have a bike the way some folks have a cart to push groceries in the city.

my main complaint (and i mean no disrespect to individuals by saying this) is that the SUVness of the mtb's marketshare makes it hard to have friends to ride with casually. if you know six random friends who might in theory be up for a ride on a saturday and are pretty fit from doing other stuff, chances are that all six of them have random trek mtbs or hybrids and they can't really keep up. again, i'm not saying the mtb ppl _here can't keep up with me personally - i'm saying the trend toward owning the cheap mtb keeps us from enjoying rides together and the way steeper expense of new road bikes keeps the curious friend from making a crossgrade.

:: sigh ::

BOOOOOO poor reasoning! <smile> Explain to me not why i should pay 3 times as much for a limited use road bike but explain why i would want to? So far im hearing
because mountain bikes are heavy and more diffacult.....is'nt this all about challenge anyway? If i want easy i'll hop in one of my trucks. To think of a person who rides a
mountain bike on the street as less a cyclist is ...well...not very cool. Again, some of
us are not trying to look or ride like Tour de France riders, we are not politically correct
and i for one dont worry so much about other riders who wont even throw their hand up when you pass by. Ok...bottom line is...mountain bikes are go anywhere bikes, street bikes are of limited use...now...get a mountain bike, go get some dirt on ya and some blood ...a few bruises ...whats that Arnold said? Girlie man???? haha
No offense but we're all created equally, some just use their equallity more creatievely
(however ya spell it)

I bet you wont feel so hot after doing a century on a mtb. I never have rode like i was in the tdf,i just do my 100 miles aweek. I might also bet alot of the mtb cost more then my roadbike. Thats great for dirt,not so great for longer rides.

I'm not saying they're less of cyclist because of what they ride (hell, I ride a 70's schwinn cruiser with a juryrigged 6-speed shifter that only shifts into 2 gears at the moment.) but I am saying, if you already think of cycling as a "toy" and you buy a heavy MTB that you don't enjoy riding, you're never going to appreciate it. My bike weighs a TON compared to some spiffy road bike, but I see it as my main form of transportation and exersize more than a toy that I may or may not ride once in a while. I just can't afford to plunk down >$200 on a bike. Hell, I had to dip into my New York Trip savings so I could spend $40 on bar-tape, a bottle and cage, and cage clips!

I enjoy trolling the streets for MTBer on my road bike . I try and smile and say hello as I blow by them :) Just Like I did today on my 50 miler . He treid to catch up , but I was in my zone . I must have been averaging over well over 20 mph cause I was using cars to draft :)
jar

I have have a no shocks MTB with Crossroads (heavy, 80psi, but flat rolling center) tires on it. On good days I regularly ride 23 mph steady state between stop lights. I know I'd go faster on a roadbike. However I've passed roadbikes ridden by folks who were either out of shape, more enjoying the ride vs. trying to go fast, or perhaps at the end of a rough 50 miler. One time I've been passed by a roadbike (multiple times) is this one guy who blew all the redlights/stop signs (I wait) and then I passed him on the in betweens. Very annoying. The only other time is when a road bike rider (and serious racer) I knew came up behind me at a light and I offered for him to get ahead of me before the light changed. Otherwise I very very rarely even see other bikes so I thankfully avoid the racing mentality during my non-racing rides.

Obviously a roadbike is the preferred choice (for on road.)

Al

"That's why when I go "off road" I am walking. I actually see much more of my surroundings than when driving or riding a bicycle. I might use an MTB to get back in there, but when it really counts I want no connection to any mechanical transportation.

I very much relate to this. I bought a MTB 10yrs ago, did some back country riding at that point, but found I much preferred hiking/backpacking for experiencing nature and running and on-road cycling for exercise and getting around.

Al

Actually Shok...i think i do at least 100 miles a week, maybe more and most of that is on mountain bike trails :) And yes, my 21 yr old son and i did a tour in June thru the hills of TN into MS and AL....all on Trek mountain bikes pulling about 60 pounds in a trailer,( i'd post pictures if you can clue me in as to how :) ) We did change tires but other than that it was all in the heart. And those complaining that their friends cant keep up with you on their cheap bikes, is it really the bike or maybe they look at riding
differently....maybe you could slow down? I would prefer a slower bike ride with a friend than a fast ride alone, just the thoughts of a guy who can afford a road bike but prefers a mountain bike GBY!

Thats nice but 100 miles aweek which is good,is not the same as 100 miles in one day,around 6 hours. What i'm saying is that they call roadbikes that for a reason and mtb that for a reason. They do one thing better,road or dirt. Its not about speed. I dont use a roadbike because i want to go fast. I wouldnt use a dirt motocycle on the street or a street motorcycle in the dirt and i would have a twiner because it doesnt do either very good. So you can ride your mtb on the road but you'll work harder at it then i will on my roadbike and if you pass me i could care less as i get passed by most,road or dirt.

I have both a roadie and an MTB, and honestly, my MTB is far more comfortable especially in climbing hills road or trail. I will grant the road bike is faster on the road than the MTB but it is not nearly as comfortable. The MTB is a competition style and a little more on the aggresive side when it comes to ride position. At $1600 it was in no way a cheap entry model, but a well thought out purchase. I am not out for a mileage or speed record, I am not racing the flashy full kit riders. I am out riding and having a good time watching the scenery go by and the miles rack up. I like being able to see a dirt road or a path along a river and not worrying about the trashing my wheels to explore a new vista.

Not knocking roadies in any way, but for me the ride is more than number of miles, rate of speed, and how many people I dropped along the way. Sometimes when I see those folks with their heads down, pumping away, not even time to say hi to folks they pass along the way, what a lonely riding style it must be.

In the end to each their own, we all have a style we are more comfortable with, it bothers me though that anyone thinks their style or their bike is better than anyone elses, and has to degrade someone who rides differently or something different. We are all out there riding our bikes, isn't that what its all about?

Well said, Ohio Trekker...back in the 70's folks had few choices, it was a road bike, beach cruiser or 3-speed...then those Northern California lads combined layed back beach cruiser geometry with a rugged frame and multi-speed gearing and the mountain bike was born.

For a considerable number of years, the mountain bike took a very seriousbite out of road bike sales since most recreational cyclists found the mountain bike design more comfortable and forgiving of beginner's mistakes (hitting potholes, etc.)

In fact, the mountain bike made recreational cycling popular. Because MTB's were the biggest cycling market, companies actually developed better shifting systems and other components. Prior to the invention of the mountain bike, component companies, mostly European were content to sit on their derrieresand collect their money. The indexed shifting we all now enjoy was the result of finding a system that was easier for the average Joe to use. Not invented by Campy..by the way.

After all these folks started cycling on MTB's another evolution occurred. Some folks figured out that the MTB was "overkill" for the intended street use they had in mind. Some of these riders gravitated towards road bikes and became "enthusiasts". There now exists a much more vibrant road bike market with better technology than ever before and some of it is due to MTB's.