Why is Road Cycling more popular than Off-roading?
 

Just wondering. Usually the ratio of people viewing this forum and the roadie forum is 1:4. Also, in my town there are dozens of road cycling clubs, and only 2-3 mountain biking clubs. I thought there were a lot more people going from a mountain bike (or hybrid) to a road bike than vice versa. This was my transition.

Any thoughts?

Mountain bikers are too busy riding to be in here as much...


Got to go ride my bike now!

I ride both road and mountain bikes. Unless you are lucky enough to have mountain bike trails close enough to your home, you usually have to carry your mountain bike via car to the trailhead. That's why I didn't do any mountain biking the first couple of years after I moved to San Francisco from Colorado (sure you can ride across the Golden Gate Bridge and ride on some fire roads, but that ain't mountain biking to me). I finally found a really killer area to ride - it is 45 minutes south of the city by car. But almost everyone has paved roads right in front of their homes. So road biking is a lot more accessible to everyone.

People who ride mountain bikes on pavement are usually not bike enthusiasts so they won't be checking out bike forums on the internet. Those people aren't smart enough to realize how crappy knobby tires are on pavement and most likely can't figure out how to get on the internet anyway.

Because mtbing is alot better and people are outside doing it, instead of talking about it.

I tried the road thing but it sucked.I guess everyone can't be cool mtnbikers.

Yea seriously, Ive tried road biking. Its boring as hell. Anyone who thinks road is better than mtb is lying.

I would hazard a guess that you are more likely to get hurt mtbing than zipping around on the road, and I guess a lot of people are afraid of getting hurt. I don't mind riding on the road, but I am more scared of getting hit by a 90 year old lady or a dumba$$ 16 year old driver not paying attention than I am of breaking an ankle or an arm!!! I'm one of the lucky few that can use a trail to commute.

Road biking is more popular here just cause we dont have trails everywhere. If we had trails everywhere, im sure i would be seeing more mtbers.

New Road biker wanted advise buying new bike it's between
TREK 1000 or Motobecane Record does anyone have any experience with the Motobecane seen a lot of post on the trek 100 wanted input on motobecane

Uhhh, not quite. I'll tell you right now I'd bet dollars to donuts roadies log more hours on their bikes then we do each week. For one thing, our season is shorter. For another, the accessibility issue already discussed is pretty major.

Road biking is more popular because it has an older user base. Not older in terms of participants but older in terms of sport. Road biking was around before mountain biking.

Because you all are out riding, while roadies are posting in the forums and fighting about everything under the sun. ;)

Koffee

:roflmao: HA! I'll bet, I'd probably end up with one of those bikes with huge plastic wheels that ride on water and end up riding in the ocean, or through some swamps or something. :eek:

Road biking is easily accessable. Simple answer.

I still say we're way cooler!! :D As far as safe.......I'll take the tumble in the rocks or hitting a tree. Getting smacked by a car just seems like it might hurt way to much.

I tried "Road" riding with my MtnBike during the deer hunting season for a couple of years (back in the late 90's). It was OK, but I didn't like riding anywhere else except the Blue Ridge Parkway. Otherwise, all I smelled while riding was the exhaust's of all the vehicles on the road (no joke), and I rode near a 4 lane highway once (I-26) and I swear I could smell the pollution about ¼ mile away.... If I'm lying, I'm dying....

It's also not very safe to me to be riding about 2-3 feet away from trucks & other vehicles....

It's pretty much a "No Brainer" in my book. Maybe you people have another "book"....

Speed.

Be lucky you have body armor and padding. When you fly off the road at 40-50mph into the pavement and shrubs, the only thing between you and pain is 1 skimpy layer of tight spandex and skin...

Mtbers can't get their laptops balanced on their handlebars as well as roadies who have aerobars for added support.

I agree with the accessibility issue. Roads are right outside the front doors, whereas a lot of mtnbkrs have to travel to get to some decent trails.

I would add that AGE is an issue, and dissagree to a point as to the age of the sport. Generally mountain biking is considered riskier or (I hate this term) an Xtreme Sport. Therefore, the majority of riders are younger men (NOTE: I didn't say "all"). With road cycling there is a broader age group of riders. I've seen riders as young as 12 and well over 70 riding road bikes. I seldom (occasionaly, but seldom) see any 60 year old on the trail.

Around here there would be way more mountain bikes than roadbikes, but most of them would see more pavement than dirt since it's not a great mountainbiking area.

As for the ratio of viewer of the respective forums, that could be perhaps because this forum can sometimes come across as a bit uptight compared to the roadie forum?

Interesting observation. I think I know what you are refering to and ... I don't disagree. But really, I just think even over 50% of the 'mountain bikers' use them as commuters or road bikes before they would ever see a true single track. In this case stats are heavily deceiving.

We'd also be more laid back if we weren't asked the same exact questions day in and day out.