Carpe Velo
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 2,519
Bikes: 2000 Bianchi Veloce, '88 Schwinn Prologue, '90 Bianchi Volpe,'94 Yokota Grizzly Peak, Yokota Enterprise, '16 Diamondback Haanjo, '91 Bianchi Boardwalk, Ellsworth cruiser
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I've seen far more change from losing weight and getting stronger. I do find when I take my mountain bike for my 12-20 mile evening ride, that my average speed over the ride is perhaps 1 mph or so less, and acceleration is not as snappy. In addition, when I take the MTB, I'm usually toting the extra weight of my big-boy camera and often a cable lock.
The performance between two good road bikes of a couple of pounds difference will be even less.
So, I'd say it makes a difference for a racer, or perhaps if you struggle to keep pace with a faster group. For a recreational rider like myself, the main difference is that I enjoy the sportiness of the road bike more.