I recently switced from 94 Mongoose IBOC comp to a 2005 Redline Conquest for my 16 mile commute. 50 psi with 2.2 nobbies versus 115 psi with Armadillos is a big difference. My average speed with the mtb was 14 mph. The first day with the road bike I did 17.5. That was apparently due to extra excitement about a new bike. Now I've steadied down to about 16.5 in to work and 16 on the way home. Thats a big difference (about 10 minutes each way) on my commute. So, for me the road bike has been worth every penny. Disavantages: I'm more careful jumping off curbs for sure and I no longer ride down the stairs when coming off of the pedestrian bridge on my route. Yes, I'm a little more nervous about needing to bail off the road in a hurry. When these tires wear out I'll probable go to a 28 or 30.