Mountain Bike vs Road Bikes

[CeeDubb]

When people ask me if I prefer mountain biking or road cycling, I can never give them a quick and straight answer.

It goes back in forth and I wouldn't want to give up one for the other. I will gladly participate in both activities.

I will say that mountain biking has always been more fun. Flying down a great section of singletrack or tackling a technical climb satisfies that primal need to conquer nature. It's also a fantastic escape because there's even sections of your local trail where you seem to be in another world and seemingly miles and miles away from civilization. Besides...I'm a kid and what kid doesn't like dirt?

I've always looked at road cycling as being almost the polar opposite. It's more urban and bit more technical. I'm watching my cadence, my heart rate, power output, etc. Being on a paved road means that you're always connected with civilization. However, there's a certain satisfaction of knowing that using your own power, you can propel yourself to speeds of over 35 mph. Or on a nice downhill run you can tuck yourself in and hit 55 mph plus. A pedal stroke on your road bike seems to effortlessly propel you forward. When riding with a good group there's a synergistic beauty of a paceline that can maintain a 30 mph pace for miles on end. When I ride my road bike I'm usually pushing myself and I'll always get a better workout along with a bit more suffering.

So...

Mountain bikes are fun...
and
Road bikes are fun, with a bit of torture thrown in the mix.

Then again...I have a bit of a masochistic streak.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by mechmann

I suffer WAY more on the mountain bike than on the road bike.

The road bike does have the "quick fix" thing going for it.

Allison and I do a great road ride where you really get out in the wilderness, it is really cool and makes road biking *almost* as fun as mtn. biking.

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Sorry guys but I just can’t do it. The cars whizzing by not knowing if a distracted driver is going to clip me. I will take my chances with the mountain lions vs a Soccer mom in a mini van.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]I like the quiet and getting away from it all that only m-biking can give me. I also do not like to listen to music when I ride.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]But hey that is just me…….you roadies rock on[/SIZE][/FONT]

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by mechmann

i am NOT a roadie, i do ride on the road though with my mtn bike helmet and shoes! we put a great deal of effort in to find places to ride that don't put us close to traffic.

i am with you though, i have been hit three times. it sucks so bad. i actually gave up cycling for almost 10 years after the last time i got hit!

Yikes!

When I have to ride on the street to the trail head many times I ride on the side walk. [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Especially when I an with my boys and their buddies. I will gladly pay the ticket if I get cited[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]When some people I meet [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]find out that I ride M-Bike’s they ask isn’t that dangerous? Aren’t you afraid of mountain lions? Just in South OC over the past year there have been what 3,4,5?? Road bikers / runners hit by cars and died on PCH. No thanks[/SIZE][/FONT]

[BAD_S197]

I prefer the dirt and thats why I got a mountain bike but I wish I had a road bike as well (just not now) because now I like to go places on my bike instead of driving my gas guzzler car...

and I second the "dont listen to music" notion. I find it more peacefull to just ride and think.

[Jordansrealm]

I love both, they each present unique opportunities to be on the saddle. My road bike for me is more about training and my mountain bike is more about adventure. I bought the road bike mostly for cross training but also to compete in duathlon and triathlon events when I am ready. I also choose to ride in places where traffic isnt as much of an issue if I can and I pretty much refuse to ride down PCH. I did it alot as a kid when I was part of the OC Cycle Club and watched people get plucked off all the time. There are a generous amount of places you can ride that keep you off busy no bike lane traffic heavy streets, you just have to find them.

[Paul000]

Don't forget to suck on each car's exhaust as they pass by you on the road... and the diesel engines and busses... just not something my lungs like to ingest...

i prefer moutain biking because you get the chance to get away from things... also get to see some great scenery and wild life... i just saw my first coyote in chino hills SP last night, rattle snake a week ago and lizards, rabbits, deer and those mean squirrels every ride.

Roadies are definately awesome riders and deserve all respect!!! its just not my thing and prolly never will be. but thats just me.

[OMR]

Originally Posted by CeeDubb

When I ride my road bike I'm usually pushing myself and I'll always get a better workout along with a bit more suffering.

Speaking of suffering, you ever try a single speed....???

OMR

[CeeDubb]

Originally Posted by mtber3737

Speaking of suffering, you ever try a single speed....???

OMR

I'll be building one shortly as well as picking up a Fixie for the road.

[MOSH1DH]

3-5 miles on the road = 1 mile in the dirt. plus I get so board riding on the road. I never ride as far as I first set out to do.

[jeffj]

I'll ride road occasionally, but MTB and all things "dirt" are my overwhelming preference.

It is nice to be able to switch up and keep things fresh once in a while or when the trails are rain-soaked.

Bottom line though, when push comes to shove it's an easy choice: MTB all the way.

[mtb_prodigy]

MOUNTAIN BIKE ANYTIME!!!! Much more fun, different styles of mountain biking, AND AGAIN MORE FUN

Adrenaline too

gives me a rush

[Pilas]

Originally Posted by mechmann

I suffer WAY more on the mountain bike than on the road bike.

The road bike does have the "quick fix" thing going for it.

Allison and I do a great road ride where you really get out in the wilderness, it is really cool and makes road biking *almost* as fun as mtn. biking.

If you want to experience "suffering" on the road, try to join a fast road group training ride. The constant accelerations, forcing you to stay in contact with the wheel in front of you, or having to close a gap, will send your HR soaring to your max.
Fast road group rides are a great way to increase your anaerobic endurance.
Of course there is a lot of suffering in mountain biking. Think of Vision Quest, or even a XC race. After doing one of these long events in the dirt your whole body is beat up.
Usually, with long road events (i.e. centuries) the recovery period is shorter, as it's mostly the legs that take the abuse. On long mountain bike races, your upper body also gets worked.
I guess suffering is relative. You can get a heck of a workout both on road and dirt.
I truly enjoy both. The road is convenient, a good workout, and fun in its own way (think of doing 55 MPH while descending on skinny tires).
However, nothing beats the feeling I get after finishing an epic mountain bike ride...

[OMR]

Originally Posted by CeeDubb

I'll be building one shortly as well as picking up a Fixie for the road.

A fixie!... Welcome to the really dark side, young grasshopper...

OMR

[soul rider]

imo road= anal weight watching, heart monitors, tights overall being uptight...yet very insane for riding in the same space as cars.
mountain biking= fun, no pressure, away from cars, concrete and b.s.
both have equally challenging aspects
even Lance Armstrong said "mountain biking kicked my ass"

[jcbikeski]

These days 2/3 of my ridng is on the dirt and I love the big climbs and techy downhills, but the pavement has it's good side.

- Hot day in so cal, I cruise 100 mi down the coast at an easy pace checking out the local beach wildlife and getting an excellent aerobic base in the process
- After a killer mtn ride the next day I head down the local bike path for an hour for recovery
- Got home too late from work for a good mtn ride, but need to get my fix, I just ride straight from home for an hour of local hilly roads
- Want interval training so I hop on the road bike and crank hard, easy, repeat.

I have nice music to enjoy. More breeze than when mtn biking. Nice rolling hills with big bike lanes in South OC. I use a rear view mirror on my glasses for extra security. I've been road riding fairly seriously for 30+ years and haven't come close to an accident. Sure that lucky streak may end, but life's full of risks that some care can reduce.

[Yeti575ASR]

I prefer the Mtb but the road whip is a good training tool for those who want to get faster on the Mtb.

Mtb :you can free ride just about anything.
Road: Paved road only sit and pedal baby!

Mtb: 25 mile ride could take 3 or 4 hrs.
Road: twice the miles in the same time.

Mtb: Disk breaks and suspension oh yesss!
Road:At times bone jarring no suspension.

Mtb: average weight 25 to 30 lbs
Road:18 to 23 lbs

Keepin everyone on their toes on the MTB because you train on a road bike ... Priceless.

I put in alot more road miles that mtb but the reward is faster sprints and being able to spin like a mofo!!

I still take the mtb over the road.

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by Paul000

i prefer moutain biking because you get the chance to get away from things...

Not so sure about this. I have seen more different places on my road bike than my mtn bike. On my road bike I can ride to places I normally would not drive through or to.

Originally Posted by mtb_prodigy

MOUNTAIN BIKE ANYTIME!!!! Much more fun, different styles of mountain biking, AND AGAIN MORE FUN

Adrenaline too

gives me a rush

Try going 50+ MPH for 35 miles down HWY 38 from Big Bear to Redlands. That gets the adrenaline pumping.

[UR2KLOS]

With mtn biking you're more likely to have "small" injuries. With road biking you're more likely to have major injuries or worse.

I would definitely recommend learning how to ride a bike on the road before learning how to mountain bike on the trails.