krobinson103

Having ridden mtbs for 20 years I figured I'd branch out and try a road bike. So I got a cheap aluminium 21 speed friction shifting model. Almost the right size, but a bit snug in the drops. It needs a longer stem and that would fix that problem.
Anyhow, having ridden that for 300km over the last 2 weeks and switching back to my heavily modded touring mtb with slicks, disc brakes, with a perfect fit I have to say.... its faster, more comfortable, and generally more fun to ride.

Also I've come to the conclusion that I really dislike the way you have to operate the brakes from the drops. First they are calipers (cheaper single pivot - going to try double pivot to see if that helps) and they are way less effective than the Shimano Deore discs on the mtb. Maybe I'm not used to the hand position, but I can't see myself doing that for hours at a time without being uncomfortable.

The road bike is 1/6 the price so I'm betting thats part of it, but I can't help feeling that despite the advantages in acceleration and climbing that for my style of riding (160+ km at 26-29km/h average moving speed) a road modded mtb is just plain better. I'm sure a carbon roadie with the latest components would be more comfortable, but I don't think that even that would convince me to give up my franken bike touring mtb,

clarkbre

Congratulations...

You have formed an opinion of one style of bike over the other based on a bike that per you...

Is almost the right size.
Not adjusted properly to the rider.
Has a different and inferior braking system.

Can someone counter his opinion with a Trek Madone and small Huffy Sledgehammer? I personally have not ridden either.

SlimRider

For vastly diverse terrain, a MTB can't be beat! However, for long paved roads, you'd gladly trade that MTB for a nice Trek Madone that fits...

Mobile 155

The fisherman walks up to the river and looks over the water, he reaches into his tackle box and pulls out a old favorite live bate, the contridictory to what the majority knows to be true worm and places it on the hook. He casts it into the river and waits for a strike. he gets some nibbles but will he get a strike?

mtbikerinpa

Underexposed as the op may be, the conclusion is one I agree with. Deore hydro discs are quite impressive and a touring/road mod mtb can be quite comfortable depending on the expectations and I have had several decent road units. It depends on what you want from your ride.

krobinson103

I concur that a fair comparison requires a biike thats around the same level and a better fit. However I just wanted a cheap roadie as an option when I don't want to ride my heavy kid carrying commuter. Still I am having real difficulty getting used to riding in the hoods. Comfy... yes stopping in a hurry? No chance. I have some decent calipers coming to see if that helps but I do wish it had discs.

krobinson103

With some careful inspection of some 105 equipped radies at my lbs I discovered a few reasons why the brake ergonomics are so bad on thid particular bike. First it came with suicidr brake levers.... worthless thibgs that got removed. Sadly it left very little to hold onto on the hoods so I had to take a dremel to the brake exentenson mounting points to get a flat surface then build up a grip with tape and webbibg. That should make it a little better.

I also moved the stem as high as it would let me then angled tbe bars to be a little mode drop friendly. I still wodn't choose it for a century ride but its certainly better than it was. When my new calipers arrive and I get a few mire mm of tweaking on the pad/rim distance it may just be passable on the brake front.

xenologer

As somene who prefers strong braking power I can definetly identify with your opinion of the road levers. Riding the hoods means you can't grab as much lever as from the drops; it will always be inherently weaker to brake from this position.
Am I the only one who thinks its silly that the primary hand position is also the weakest for brake power?

makes you wonder how that situation developed; from what I can tell, in the far past road bikes had their bars set higher, and people spent more time in the (relatively higher) drops, where the brakes could be used. In fact, those old brakes didn't have the padded hoods; people didn't ride on them near as much....

anyhow, since nowadays its considered unfashionable to set your drop bars higher up, tho I do think it makes sense
I have a habit of using 'alternative' handlebar styles where there's less of an established norm for people to criticize.
Look into 'mustache handlebars', lauterwassers, and dirt drops

krobinson103

I was considering the offroad style shallower bars in the shop. They are selling for about $30 and I can really see the advantage of the shallow drops and straighter lines as compared to the deep drops of the traditional bars that I have. I think I may see what difference they make next week when I commute to work. I have to go past the shop anyway so stopping to pick up a package can't hurt. If I can get this bike comfortable its likely to be my primary commuter. As for the current bars, fashion or no fashion they are as high as they can get. Since its too small anyway setting them fashionably has the drops so low its ridiculous.

Did I mention I hate 'smart phone' keyboards? My fingers are too big to use the stupid things.

IthaDan 

... So you're saying you prefer a bike that fits you?

krobinson103

This one will fit... if I can extend the bars a little. Everything else is dialed in. Thing is its not meant to be a project... just something to have fun on. The last project bike was my nice mtb and I ended up rebuilding it and spending $1500 doing so. The only thing left is a seat post. I got an awesome night riding/touring/go anywhere bike out of it... but I don't need two such projects. I also can't ride it to work most days because of the quality of the components. It wouldn't last 2 hours parked outside.

I just want this one to be 'good enough' to commute on. But, when it comes to brakes I won't compromise. Stopping is important.

ThermionicScott 

I, too, think it's silly that an inferior hand position became the norm on road bikes. I want to blame the rise of brifters, but I think the trend was already underway.

At least there are more options for riser stems these days -- they help to mask the amount of rise if you want your bars higher.

bgraham111

I have 3 bikes.

My MTB is so mobile, and so easy to ride. It's old and heavy, but I can turn on a dime, hop over things, and in general do things on it that I could never do on another bike. It's also my beater - if I need to take a bike somewhere that is likely to be "rough", the old MTB goes along. I figure it's good for 100% of bike surfaces.

My Hybrid is my go-to general purpose bike. It's the most comfortable. I can load it up with panniers and racks and stuff. It's my main bike for most situations. It's probably my nicest bike. Not too light, but can do almost everything I could want. I figure it's good for 85% of bike surfaces.

My road bike is light. It's not carbon fiber light, but it's less than half the weight of the hybrid. It's turns like the Titanic, though. And I feel silly all balled up in the drops. But it's stupid fast. And it's light. I just got it, but I anticipate my century time will drop considerably. I figure it's good for 10% of bike surfaces.

Each one has a purpose, and I suppose you're favorite depends on what you want to do. I was always a MTB kind of guy. If past me traveled to the future and saw me with a road bike, I'd probably punch me. But it's fun to go fast on occasion. Although I like to turn, and use my body mass to move the bike around. But that's just me.

krobinson103

+1 The go fast easily factor I enjoy. The "Oh **** I can't stop" factor is what I dislike. It is however stupid fun to be moving at 40km/h on a flat road in the drops with the same effort it would take to do 30km/h on the mtb. Now if I could stay in the drops for 7 hours at a time.... that would a feat.

Jseis 

My roadbike is a pretty nice Colnago Dream, about 18 pounds with Al frame, Carbon forks and decently outfitted. My MTB is a entry level GF Wahoo, about 34 pounds. In the winter I ride the MTB regularly with slicks and hose off the sand and grit, not wanting to subject the 'Nago to corrosive effects of sand and salt. Late spring and summer when weather turns, it's all road bike and longer rides (50-75 miles). About 1.5 mph faster than the slicked out MTB, and the speed is related to weight (hills) and slightly better aero position. I'm 58 so I don't really tuck and am rarely in the drops, mostly hoods and bars. The MTB, with about 50 pounds in the tires and the suspension unlocked is definitely more comfortable. But it'll never get me to a 17 mph (solo) average on my 50 mile loop (unless I go all animal, lose 25, train really, really hard). But I will get to 17+ with the 'Nago with the time I put in now.

Flying Merkel

The OP should consider looking at vintage road bikes. My cheap trash-find Raleigh Gran Sport was faster than my MTB while being reasonably comfortable. I like a French fit road bike. My primary bike is a 1982 Univega Gran Turismo. Lighter than most mountain bikes, more comfortable than most road bikes. Perfect for long rides at a moderate pace.

LesterOfPuppets

At a low price point, olde is the way to go. I have a 1999 cheepo roadbike that I like a little better for road than my MTBs but not nearly as much as I liked my Pinarello. Of course that cheap road bike weighs a couple pounds more than my MTBs, which is pretty lame.

The OP's roadbike handling problems are odd. Must be more of a sport/tour geo than a race geo if it turns in slow.