Originally Posted by
Smokinapankake
Why is it that most people think road bikes are more efficient than mt. bikes?
Assuming one is using similar tires and both have similar weights, the efficiency (energy required to move it at a particular speed) is probably fairly close at
low speeds.
At higher speeds, aerodynamics becomes much, much more of an issue (it overwhelms drive train losses). MTBs either don't have to worry about aeodynamics OR their design trades-off aeodynamics for other reasons (eg, control).
Originally Posted by
Leebo
I ride both on a regular basis. For every pedal stroke, the road bike travels further them the mt bike due to bigger wheels.
This is a gearing issue: you are not using equivalent gears.