I think you have to be more aware of road conditions with a road bike. You can't, or should I say, shouldn't, just plow through potholes, ruts and bumps. You have to learn to pick yourself up off the saddle when you see something in the road you can't avoid. In other words, try and get light when road conditions get rough.

If you stick with it, I think you will get better and get used to the ride of a road bike, because pushing a heavy steel MTB through city streets is not really a bargain IMHO. I know, I did it for quite awhile....