Originally Posted by
TMonk
I think it really comes down to tire choice, and bike geometry to a lesser extent. But ya I dig what you're saying. I guess I ride them both often enough so that it doesn't really stand out to me so much.
Good tires can make a world of difference. I would describe my mtb as a tank on gravel (esp with knobby tires). Swapped those out for semi-slick tires, and my average mph went up a few mph, and the bike is more fun. Still works for all but the roughest single track. Riding a road bike or track bike definitely has a totally different steering feel. Same for my buddy's niner rlt9 rdo. Definitely not a tank.
Dave