feel silly

I know plenty of people who ride mountain bikes all the time.....no need to feel silly.  I would MUCH rather be outside than stuck inside anyday of the week!  My 2 Cents.

I used to ride a boys' department store mountain bike, if that makes you feel any better. I couldn't get the thing to go more than 12 mph.

When I was getting used to clipless pedals, I would wear one bike shoe and one running shoe because I felt better about it.

Now when I get ready to go for a ride, I ask my husband if I look like a big dork, and he says yeah.

99% of the people in the world barely even notice what you look like because they're too preoccupied with themselves.

I'm doing my first tri on Monday riding a huffy with a grocery rack.  Enjoy yourself and have fun.  

The flat tire thing is great advice.  It was a LOT easier to go on the flat tires than big knobby ones.

Your mountain bike is a good deal more flexible than any road bike, can do more, take you more places, and will likely last longer. What's there to feel silly about?

If you want to race just throw on some slick tires and it's even more flexible.

Sure, it's a little heavier, and yes that would really matter if you were planning to win your event, but if you're not then you just get a better workout than you would on a 12 lb $10K road weenie special.

The Chicago Triathlon has a MTB class. They wouldn’t designate
a whole classification for just one or two people riding mountain bikes.

You are in good company, now get out and ride.

Less than $200 to turn a mtn bike into a fun street rider.  I love this little thing.  1.25" slicks on 26" vuelta rims.  You could probably get a better deal on rims than I did but I got the tires and tubes for < $10 each

BTW..  if it has cranks and you're turning them.  You'll get the benefit.  Keep riding it

I came from Mt. Bike and don't have a road bike. I will be renting one for my Oly to see what kind of time I can do and then again for my HIM.

I don't concern myself with miles because I know I can go much faster on a road bike and cover more miles. Right now I do 30 miles in 2 hours on a  full suspension cross country bike on dirt paths. So I will work up to 2.5-3 hour rides expecting to do my HIM bike in 3 hours.

I commute too and this is set up as a commuter. Shocks are stiff. I have 1.25 slicks. Get a tire that has a solid center bead to ride on or at least is not broken much. Also look at what PSI you can go to. A very wide range on that. But the ones I have can go to 85 psi. You move pretty good on 85 psi slicks.

Last... make sure your geometry is good. Not all slacked out for leisure. Seat high/forward where it should be, and you can always lower bars although mine are pretty high. I have always preferred a steep seat angle so that is not too hard for me.

Get used to feeling silly. Even if/when you purchase a road or tri bike you'll likely be riding it wearing spandex :P  

If it helps, my first bike I rode was a road bike, but was made in the early 80's (I rode this last year).  I felt a little silly on it, but I had fun and that's all that really matters.

Did my first tri on my trusty ole' mountain bike with the fat tires and loved every second of it.

Like others have said... if you plan on keeping it for a while, get some slick tires and stick the knobbys in the garage.

I still love my mountain bike - though it's been relegated to riding the neighbourhood with a cold beer now.

--

Dave