Got what I deserved I suppose

stumpyjon

Borrowed a mates road bike last night as I'm toying with the idea of buying one so I can commute to work more quickly.

It didn't go well. First off the gearing was horrendously high, only two chain rings and the rear cassette was so small you need a magnifying glass to see it. And there are hills around here, had to get off and push on a hill I'd normally sail up on any of my MTBs.

It was way too small, 18" and I later found out I should be on a 21" / 22" road frame, I think my head was lower than my crown jewels.

Took me ages to get used to shifting with the brake levers (what's all that about) nearly died on a mini roundabout when I couldn't figure out how to downshift :oops:

Back tyre was flat, didn't realise till I got back.

And to cap it all it pissed down, don't think I've ever been wetter, even riding XC in the winter.

So what do you reckon, is this karma telling me to forget it or should I succomb to the lure of the dark side :twisted: (purely for commuting purposes you understand) and buy a 4th bike?

JumperSimon14

Instead of buying a road bike or any other bike why don't you treat your current bike/s with some nice parts :P

Yahoobedoo

stumpyjon wrote:

Borrowed a mates road bike last night as I'm toying with the idea of buying one so I can commute to work more quickly.

It didn't go well. First off the gearing was horrendously high, only two chain rings and the rear cassette was so small you need a magnifying glass to see it. And there are hills around here, had to get off and push on a hill I'd normally sail up on any of my MTBs.

It was way too small, 18" and I later found out I should be on a 21" / 22" road frame, I think my head was lower than my crown jewels.

Took me ages to get used to shifting with the brake levers (what's all that about) nearly died on a mini roundabout when I couldn't figure out how to downshift :oops:

Back tyre was flat, didn't realise till I got back.

And to cap it all it pissed down, don't think I've ever been wetter, even riding XC in the winter.

So what do you reckon, is this karma telling me to forget it or should I succomb to the lure of the dark side :twisted: (purely for commuting purposes you understand) and buy a 4th bike?

Indeed, 'tis Karma - however it's only telling you not to get a roadie - a 4th MTB possibly with slightly skinny tyres as a concession to commuting would ultimately bring joy

Anonymous

stick with it mate, i love riding a road bike, im not a big fan of dropped bars so i ride with a flat bar now.

i really liked the gear shifts on the brake levers, my old scr had tiagra shifters and 105 mechs, i did and do have a triple chainset though. the rtios are tighter but i found with the thinner tyres and lighter weight that it wasnt too big a problem.

also, the fitness and strength you get form your road bike will translate straight across to mtb riding.

synchronicity

All bikes have a place in your garage. Why the apprehension about road biking?

Just fit a 12-25 cassette (or at the most 12-27) and hop on the right sized bike next time.

What you've just done is the equivalent of a road biker getting on a downhill beast that's two sizes too big for him, with the tyres pumped up to 100psi and riding on the worst day of the year with absolutely no arm strength.

Stick with it.

Anonymous

Why would road bike give you more strength, sheepteeth?

kegs

I guess because you tend to pedal constantly when you are on a road bike, so it is a bit quicker to build up cardio, stamina and leg strength. Its like riding rollers or a turbo trainer, but with the added bonus of people in big metal boxes trying to kill you

Staying up to watch the BMX as well Yeehaam?

Rich Hcp

I love my roadie too.

Completely different technique.

It needs to fit and you must have 100 PSI+ in the tyres.

That's probably why you struggled

Try a different bike, maybe a triple, that fits and see how it goes, in the dry

Anonymous

yeehaamcgee wrote:

Why would road bike give you more strength, sheepteeth?

this is just my experience, i was training for a 100 mile event last yr and was doing about 150 miles a week on my road bike to get fit as well as off road riding.

i think the difference is that on the roadbike, you are turning your pedals all the time and climbing is quite a bit different due to the reduced gearing. once you get used to climbing strongly on a road bike, a mtb feels really easy to climb with as you have much lower gears.

my legs went bizarrely massive after a couple of weeks, i could see muscles i havent ever seen before and my speed was progressing very nicely. you obviously use the same muscles as when you ride an mtb so it is a nice way to train when you cant get to some decent off roading (bear in mind i have to drive for over an hour to get anywhere off road)

as far as i know, loads of mtb riders also ride a roadbike, liam killean, and peaty included. i wonder if any road riders use a mtb for training?

stumpyjon

Hehe looks like I'll have to convince the missus that I need a road bike after all (despite everything it did feel much faster than an MTD on tarmac).

Instead of buying a road bike or any other bike why don't you treat your current bike/s with some nice parts

Already done that, both main machines are XT / XTR throughout. Had though about doing something to my old hardtail, it's currrently running 1.9" semi slicks but the whole bike weighs a ton so would really need new wheels etc. to reduce weight and if I'm spending that sort of money I think I'd be better off with a roadie.

Quite like the idea of being able to get the miles in as part of my normal day rather via the commute.[/quote]

ride_whenever

An alternative to the full dark side would be a lovely fixie, beardy enough to be sneered at by roadies and mtbers alike!

The hills might be an issue.

Anonymous

Ah yes, the gearing makes sense with regards to making you stronger. I see.

stumpyjon

Have you guys seen the road over Pendle Hill :shock:

I don't know about making me stronger, I think it'd probably kill me.

Anonymous

Where's Pendle Hill?

FSR_XC

Love my roadie too.

Not as much fun as blasting down a muddy technical singletrack, but 40mph+ on 2 excuses for tyres is just a bit of a rush!

Stick with it. Getting up those hills on a roadie means that you'll have so much more energy when you do similar off road on the mtb.

Gearing is really different on the roadie too. Single / double / compact / triple chainsets, then cassettes with sooooo many variations it makes your brain hurt.

Most new road riders get a compact or triple as it allows for lower gearing, without sacrificing the higher stuff.

You could always get a Hybrid. Road gearing & tyres with flat bars (shifters & levers as mtb).

blorg

All of the serious MTB guys I know train on road bikes (or cross bikes.) You get a far more consistent power application. As others have said it is essential that fit is right, you risk injuring yourself if you have it wrong. Note BTW that road bike measurement is in millimeters rather than inches and wouldn't necessarily be comparable with MTB sizing in any case.

BTW the fixie is honestly not a bad idea, they can be picked up cheapish and are a hell of a lot of fun to ride. Won't help you get up that hill initially, gearing would typically be harder than the easiest you get on a standard road double. A lot of roadies train on fixies, helps with pedalling technique and teaches you to be comfortable with a very wide range of cadences, going down hills is in many ways tougher than going up them.

ride_whenever

A fixie will also make your pedalling smoother and help with rear wheel control for off-road traction.

Steve_b77

I too love riding my road bike, to be honest you have very littel choice where I've been staying for the past 2 months - Rugby.

It does help massivley with your ability to climb on a MTB and really makes you appreciate the spotting power of disc brakes.

Size wise I'm 5'11 and ride a 56cm framed "compct" Specialized Allez with a double chain set. 50/34 and a 11/25 casset and that plenty for most things I come across.

The brake lever/gear shifters is easy to get used too.

The bike itself was only £500, considering what you get on them I think tehy represent real value for money.

Anonymous

FSR_XC wrote:

You could always get a Hybrid. Road gearing & tyres with flat bars (shifters & levers as mtb).

and brakes that work properly

Anonymous

yeehaamcgee wrote:

FSR_XC wrote:

You could always get a Hybrid. Road gearing & tyres with flat bars (shifters & levers as mtb).

and brakes that work properly

thats one of the many reasnswhy i like flat bars on my bke

SDK2007

Interesting to read your experiences.
I'm doing a Triathlon in October and will testing a road bike shortly before the event to get used to it.

Seems like it's going to hard than I thought to ride

russ0228

finally someone has given real advice. congrats to "steve_b77" for mentioning he has compact gearing on the front chainset. if you live in a hilly area make sure you get a roadie with compact gearing it will make the difference between walking and riding up that basterd a hill. i live in the north east of scotland where every flippin road has a basterd a hill on it. a compact chainset is a must unless you are an elite roadie which 75% of us arent to be frank, me included. lol

stumpyjon

mmm flat bars had crossed my mind (and brakes that work). Sheepy you got discs, Vs or something else on your road bike?

FSR_XC I think that may be the way I go.

This is Pendle Hill. I live on the far ridge in the distance and have to cross the other hill in the middle distance as well as then climb over the Pendle Hill where this photo was taken.




This was taken on the summit of the middle Hill, note the roadie walking :shock:

Anonymous

pah, my commute is more mountainous than that!

passout

yeehaamcgee wrote:

Where's Pendle Hill?

I can confirm that Pendle Hill, in East Lancs, is indeed 'significant'. You may of heard of the Pendle Witches from round there, I think they were the last witches to be executed in the UK by the Witchmaster General. They were killed in Lancaster Castle. Also George Fox (founder of the Quakers) had a revelation from God half way up the hill - his road to Damascus experience you might say. In America, where there are lots of Quakers, they even say that somebody has a 'Pendle Hill' moment when they have a sudden deep insight. Strange but true. It's also pretty big and steep; they have the 'Pendle Push' road event around there. Here endeth the lesson.

Anyway, get a road bike but get either a compact or triple chainset if you want to ride up proper hills. Ribble Cycles (near Preston docks) are doing a winter trainer with Tiagra for £399 or £409 (slightly different spec) at the moment. I have a Ribble road bike and am really chuffed with it - you won't find anything that's better value and they'll measure you up in the shop. Road bikes are good fun when you get used to them and it saves wearing out your 'proper' bike.

FSR_XC

SDK2007 wrote:

Interesting to read your experiences.
I'm doing a Triathlon in October and will testing a road bike shortly before the event to get used to it.

Seems like it's going to hard than I thought to ride

Good luck in the tri.

Olympic or sprint distance?

I have done 2 sprint distance this year. Can't understand why, but I actually find them fun!

I have seen quite a few people using a mtb on Sprint tri's.

Stumpy Jon
Looks like part of my commute to work.

Now you've got me thinking about entering the Tour of Dartmoor (it's not a race - but the short route is 83 miles!)

Russo228
Gearing on a roadie is very much a personal preference thing. I do agree with your comment (and Steve_B77) and would say most new road riders tend to get a compact or even a triple chainset.

I didn't. After trying a compact and standard, I chose standard. This was because on the hilly test ride I found that I hardly used the lower chainring.
Since buying the bike though, I've been so glad my rear cassette is 12-27 (53-39 chainrings)

Anonymous

passout wrote:

yeehaamcgee wrote:

Where's Pendle Hill?

I can confirm that Pendle Hill, in East Lancs, is indeed 'significant'. You may of heard of the Pendle Witches from round there, I think they were the last witches to be executed in the UK by the Witchmaster General. They were killed in Lancaster Castle. Also George Fox (founder of the Quakers) had a revelation from God half way up the hill - his road to Damascus experience you might say. In America, where there are lots of Quakers, they even say that somebody has a 'Pendle Hill' moment when they have a sudden deep insight. Strange but true. It's also pretty big and steep; they have the 'Pendle Push' road event around there. Here endeth the lesson.

Anyway, get a road bike but get either a compact or triple chainset if you want to ride up proper hills. Ribble Cycles (near Preston docks) are doing a winter trainer with Tiagra for £399 or £409 (slightly different spec) at the moment. I have a Ribble road bike and am really chuffed with it - you won't find anything that's better value and they'll measure you up in the shop. Road bikes are good fun when you get used to them and it saves wearing out your 'proper' bike.

That's fascinating stuff. There was actually a very large quaker settlement about 5 or so miles from where I live, of course that was long ago.
I have some good friends that are Quakers, and they're all excellent people, really friendly and open minded. Curiously, there seem s to be a few quakers living at the top of a really nasty hill here as well!
I'd never heard on Pendle hill before though.

Anonymous

stumpyjn, this is my road bike:




it hasa standard triplechanset on it and is spot on for the rding i do on it,i have never used the granny ring but like the fact it s there just incase.

my old bike was a giant scr with a compact triple and that was very good but top speed wasnt fast enough for some of the descentsi have done, so i went with bigger gearing and all is well.

i prefer a flat bar as i found the drops too uncomfortable on the scr an only really kwept my hands on the top anyway, also, i find the brakes are much better with regukar brake levers, mine are avid levers and mtb brakes. the chainset is an fsa gossamer and the mechs are 105. the shifters are shimano road bike ones.

SDK2007

FSR_XC wrote:

Good luck in the tri.
Olympic or sprint distance?
I have done 2 sprint distance this year. Can't understand why, but I actually find them fun!
I have seen quite a few people using a mtb on Sprint tri's.

It's only a Sprint distance but you've got to start somewhere.

I also have an 07 FSR XC Comp but it is limiting on the road.

passout

sheepsteeth wrote:

stumpyjn, this is my road bike:




it hasa standard triplechanset on it and is spot on for the rding i do on it,i have never used the granny ring but like the fact it s there just incase.

my old bike was a giant scr with a compact triple and that was very good but top speed wasnt fast enough for some of the descentsi have done, so i went with bigger gearing and all is well.

i prefer a flat bar as i found the drops too uncomfortable on the scr an only really kwept my hands on the top anyway, also, i find the brakes are much better with regukar brake levers, mine are avid levers and mtb brakes. the chainset is an fsa gossamer and the mechs are 105. the shifters are shimano road bike ones.

Nice bike.

Personally I prefer drops, especially all the different hand positions available when doing long distance stuff. The newer (last year or two) Shimano dual pivot road brakes are a big improvement on the old ones. They actually work really well now - I wouldn't hesitate to get a bike with them on. The new Campag ones are said to be good too but not as much stopping power as Shimano. If you are using 23mm or even 25mm tyres, the you don't need/want the same stopping power that you are used too. If you are touring, doing cyclo-cross and/or ride wider tyres (say 28mm plus) then I'd go for V-brakes or equivalent. But that's just me.....some guys insist on discs on lightweight wheels with hardly any rubber in contact with the ground!

russ0228

sorry my compact theory holds ture for hilly areas. if i lived down south like edinburgh or somewhere else less hilly then hell yeah standard gearing. the pendle hills look like my area. so compact all the way. either way get a gay road bike as any extra fitness on them will translate to the real bike!! lol