morgothaod

What do you like and dislike about owning a road bike? Does road biking cause discomfort in your back? Never been on a road bike and am considering trying one. My only bikes have been mountain bikes and a comfort bike.

Tony P.

Road bikes are generally faster than MTB or hybrids. They're designed for those who prefer to pass others vs being passed.

krecik

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MoAlpha

It's like having an F-35 Lightning II under your carport, instead of a Kia. Don't get one unless you're ready.

chainwhip

The drops let you get out of the wind.
On the flat, it's not unusual to gain 1-2mph in the drops vs sitting up.

The flexibility required to use the drops encourages me to stretch and stay flexible.

Hill climbing, after a bit of a learning curve, becomes a fun challenge, and the downhill speeds exceed the comfort bike, and most likely the MTB speeds.

chainwhip

I like to call them " A sports car for your body".

tntyz

Made the switch to road bike (from a hybrid) about 15 years ago. At the time, had sporadic problems with a slipped disc that caused much back pain. The hybrid's upright position made riding uncomfortable due to the constant compression on my spine. Switching to the road bike's standard position allowed my back to flex to absorb road shock. Plus, gotta love the variety of hand positions available.

Bah Humbug

Road bikes are awesome. Make sure you get one that fits, but if it does, it's great.

indyfabz

It’s like having a child. At least that’s what I hear.

CAT7RDR

You can go fast like an e-bike except you get the added benefit of exercise.

MoAlpha

Hurts less (I hear) unless you fall down.

indyfabz

Touché!

MoAlpha

Soft pitch, but agree totally with your concept.

joesch

I have road, gravel, and mtn bikes and enjoy riding all depending on my mood and energy level and conditions. Most of the time Im on the road. If its crappy outside, I will probably get on trail or mtn bike. Cross training / biking will increase you confort levels for all types of workouts / rides.

Iride01 

If you are not wanting to do long rides of over 40 or so miles, Or you are just interested in how much performance you can get for near max efforts, or perhaps all your other friends have them and scowl when you show up for a leisurely ride with them, then there isn't a reason for a road bike. Any other type bike will do.

noodle soup

,,, but a road bike is much quieter,

F-35s are ****ing loud

WhyFi

Fun. It's fun.

MRT2

I would say 25 miles. Because it does get tiring to ride in the same position for 2 hours or more. I know there are workarounds, like moustache bars, albatross bars or trekking bars. But Drop bars, which are pretty much standard on road bikes are more versatile than flat bars both for changing hand positions and riding positions.

Maelochs

This is it.

A road bike Generally will weigh a bit less and offer a bit less cushion, but for anything over about ten miles the greater efficiency will actually make the bike more comfortable---your body is the spring, not just the tires and seat cushion---Assuming it fits.

Set-up tends to take some tweaking, and also changes the more (or less) you ride.

I find that when I get a bike properly adjusted, my comfort level is determined by my fitness level. If I ride too far for my legs, I start carrying weight on my hands, which hurts my neck, shoulders, and lower back. As i ride more as the season passes, I can ride farther in comfort. if I push really hard (say, trying to keep up with a faster rider for a couple dozen miles), my lower back will feel it eventually, and then the neck and shoulders .... but I gain from the extra exercise in the long run.

For short rides, the road bike is Generally lighter and more efficient, so you can go a little faster for the same effort, which can be fun in itself.

if you are not used to a road bike, you might try to set it up like a more upright hybrid with a more padded seat, and since it is a very different machine, that won't work. Then you might think road bikes hurt.

When riding a road bike, you don't really "sit" on the saddle----most of the weight should be borne by the legs (of course to do sit on the saddle---you don't hover)---but a lot of people used to upright bikes place themselves in the saddle as if it were a chair, with their legs dangling and lazily spinning the pedals. On a road bike you have to push a little more. Of course you can coast and all that, but generally you need to put more leg into it. Not a lot, but if you don't, that narrow saddle will start to feel like an ax more than a chair.

A lot of people see racers with their long, low set-ups and try to imitate them, and put way too much weight on their hands, which hurts neck, shoulders, and hands. It is better to sit a little more upright (you can always use the drops to get low) and keep your weight back over the hips.

Also, a road bike works your core. Your upper body is cantilevered from the base of your spine, with your stomach and lower back working together to keep it at a comfortable angle. if you are used to sitting upright, this will take some time to adapt to.

On an upright bike, your spine is sort of in the position you are in while standing. Comfortable on short rides if you have a good, padded seat, but really harsh on a longer ride, because your spine is getting compressed like you are walking, but you don't have your legs as shock absorbers---the force goes from the seat-tube to the seat to your spine.

Road bikes engage the stomach and lower back more .... which can lead to soreness until you get used to it. Also, some folks don't use their stomach muscles much in daily life---we sit so much----so when we get on a bike, those muscles can't hold up their end, which hurts the back, which makes one lean forward onto the hands, which hurts neck, shoulders, and hands .....

Once you do adapt, and figure out where saddle and bars need to be to fit your flexibility and fitness level, riding a road bike is as easy a riding a bike.

MoAlpha

Yep. Ask anyone who’s sailed around Pax River NAS.

Seattle Forrest

Making, delivering, or raising?

noodle soup

I live about 12 miles from Luke AFB, and they fly over my house when they are coming in to land, It's the only fighter that your can hear approaching from a distance.

Amt0571

If you're coming from MTB it feels extremely fast. And when you get back to an MTB it seems like it has a lot of drag.

It also feels extremely rigid and harsh over the occasional bump. A MTB, on the other hand is like riding on a cushion, even with a hardtail.

No discomfort in the back. I get some discomfort on the neck after riding on the drops on long descents. Nothing worse that the discomfort of riding a hardtail over rough terrain TBH.

I have both, I like both. It depends on the day. I like the speed, but also love being alone in the forest.

MoAlpha

Yikes! The sound of freedom, they say.

noodle soup

+1

this is why gravel bikes are becoming so popular.