Confidence

adnewall
adnewall Posts: 22
edited May 2011 in Road beginners
I've recently made the move from MTB to road – GT Tempest to Carrera Virtuoso. On the GT I was very confident when riding around traffic and manoeuvring, though I find my confidence often lacks slightly on the road bike.

I've only been riding it for 3 weeks; will this go away and become as natural as the MTB? Could it be because I'm in clips rather than platforms?

I love riding it, just don't feel as in control, especially at slow speeds. Hoping it is like a breaking in period.
Virtuoso – Fury – FCN 6

Comments

  • gmb
    gmb Posts: 456
    It does take a short while.

    I initially felt, after transferring from MTB to road that I was "leading with my chin" - my face felt vulnerable (not that it's anything special mind!) BUT after having been off my MTB for a couple of years and riding road during that time I felt like I was sat up like Mary Poppins which I got the MTB out.

    Stick with it..it doesn't take too long.
    Trying Is The First Step Towards Failure

    De Rosa Milanino :-
    http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab78 ... -00148.jpg
  • Stone Glider
    Stone Glider Posts: 1,227
    Practice realy is the key. I found riding around a nearby factory estate ay weekends or evenings helped me get used to my position on the bike and my relationship with the roads I was riding. When you are used to doing things in a certain way ie your mtb. there must be an element of 'un-learning' to go through.

    Good luck.
    The older I get the faster I was
  • slowlanejane
    slowlanejane Posts: 312
    I had exactly the same thing when I moved from MTB to road: as one on the MTB, feeling unsteady on the roadie - it was about 6 weeks later or so of reasonably reglar riding before it all fell into place on the road bike, and then at some point since it was vice versa - I went out on the MTB for a spin and felt unsteady on that because after the road bike it felt like I was riding a sofa.
  • Duffer65
    Duffer65 Posts: 341
    I must admit I found it a bit weird when I switched from flat bar bikes to my road bike. It felt to light and the steering seemed strange, not to mention changing gear. But I'm pretty much use to it now and enjoying my bike immensely. :D
    Where would you be if you fell down a hole?.. Stuck down a hole... in the fog... Stuck down a hole, in the fog, at night... WITH AN OWL!
  • adnewall
    adnewall Posts: 22
    Thank you. It's nice to know it isn't going to be something that will last for too long then.

    Really glad I've started with the summer ahead rather than the winter – my balance would be awful in the snow and ice.
    Virtuoso – Fury – FCN 6
  • slowlanejane
    slowlanejane Posts: 312
    I started nov 2009: start of the longest, coldest, nastiest winter for donkeys. Brrr! Still haven't warmed up!

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