Originally Posted by
chasm54
If you just bought a new bike specifically for this task, what is the point of now asking whether it is suitable?
Ventoux is an iconic climb. Clearly it is climbable on a road bike, because many thousands of amateurs ride up it every year just to be able to say they have done it.
To answer your specific question, if you put slick tyres on the MTB, and the combined weight of you and the MTB is (say) 10% greater than the combined weight of you and the road bike, then the MTB gearing only needs to be >10% lower to give you a mechanical advantage. You'll be slower, but potentially be able to continue for longer without climbing off. You can work out the relative gear ratios for yourself, but in practice the MTB gearing will be much more than 10% lower than that of the road bike.
However, the real issue is your fitness. "Currently not very fit" could mean anything. Do you mean you are a regular rider used to doing long hard climbs but not currently in peak condition, or just a recreational rider who is pretty much starting from scratch as far as training is concerned? If the latter, you have more to worry about than choice of bike.
Thank you for your great answer.
Yes, I felt almost feel a bit stupid asking this question as I sort of knew the answer.
And yes, I don’t really deserve such a nice road bike - I am sure its embarrassed having me riding it.
Anyway, I understand that I will be quicker on the road bike. I have already compared it on a few shorter hill climbs. But the reason I wanted to ask was that I was surprised how big difference it was regarding gearing between the mountain bike and the road bike. I am sure I will make it on a mountain bike without stopping. I sense that it will be harder on the road bike due to the gearing.
All I need to do now is to gain some confidence with the road bike (which is new to me) by training. Preferably on some similar hills here in Switzerland where I live.
Cheers,
D