Originally Posted by
surveyor
Also, how much are you carrying and how? I typically ride with 15+ lbs. in my panniers, and on a heavier hybrid bike with full rack/fenders. I can come pretty close to keeping up with the roadies I see, but there is just a limit to what I can do with that bike.
It is the same as with boxing: a fast road bike, with narrow tires and no cargo with a fit cyclist in the saddle will always beat a slower, wider-tired heavy bike carrying a good about of cargo, even with a very fit cyclist in the saddle.
I don't carry much. I take the bus once a week to take the clothes I am going to wear for the week (and return home with the dirty clothes). Everything else I have will fit in my saddle bag (money clip, cell phone, clean socks, and a granola bar). I used to ride with my messenger bag but that became brutal when I would ride home into headwinds or was riding in the heat of the day during summer and would feel like I was overheating.