Originally Posted by
kickstart
Being one who favors practicality over other considerations, if you can't keep up with fast riders on road bike you have 3 choices.
1. Become a stronger rider than those you ride with so you can keep up on your bike of choice.
2. Become as strong a rider as those you ride with, and get a bike with similar capabilities.
3. Find different friends to ride with, who share your abilities and interests in bikes.
4. Get used to it.
5. Ride by yourself.
Cop the right attitude. If you fall behind it's because you're on a slow bike. When you manage to hang with the group it's because you're so strong, you can do it on a Surly.