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Mtn vs Road bike - gears
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 2005-04-25 11:24 AM |
Member 62  Atlanta |  Subject: Mtn vs Road bike - gearsAs far as ease going up a hill, is it easier on a mountain bike or a road bike? I have been training on two MOUTAIN bikes, the 2nd one has road tires, but something must be wrong with the bike set-up, my legs start burning immediately and the hills are more problematic than they should be. The other bike has mtn tires, but I never had any pain or was uncomfortable. As my first sprint race approaches this weekend, I am really fearing the big hill in this race and I am wondering which bike to use? Should I borrow a road bike, get back on the pain free bike, get someone to check out my set-up on the bike with road tires, or lastly, play possum when my alarm goes of Sat. AM and skip the race? Since there is no getting around the hills, what's my best option? thanks |
| 2005-04-25 11:56 AM in reply to: #147625 |
Pro 4206  Los Angeles, CA | Subject: RE: Mtn vs Road bike - gears I would think if you are in shape, that a road bike should be fine as if you look at Lance and company, they can do it just fine unless they have 'special' road bikes. However, I would think a mtb bike is easier since it has more combinations for granny gears. I would say also that you should probably ride with road tires on your mtb because it should be faster than mtb knobbies. Not sure why it's different going up the hill except that maybe your two bikes have different geometry or size. Edited by auto208562 2005-04-25 11:57 AM |
| 2005-04-25 12:52 PM in reply to: #147625 |
| Subject: RE: Mtn vs Road bike - gears Why not just swap the slicks on the one MTB and put them on the other MTB that allows you to ascend the hills easier? Then you get the best of both worlds. |
| 2005-04-25 12:59 PM in reply to: #147692 |
Pro 3903  Andover | Subject: RE: Mtn vs Road bike - gears Triple_Sparty - 2005-04-25 12:52 PM Why not just swap the slicks on the one MTB and put them on the other MTB that allows you to ascend the hills easier? Then you get the best of both worlds. That would be my suggestion as well. I imagine the difference you are experiencing between the 2 bikes does have to do with the gear ratio, unless the bike with the "road tires" is significantly heavier than the bike wih the MTB tires. Of course, we could get into a discussion about cadence and all but I'll leave that for the Bear.  I would be leery of using the road bike in your Tri unless you get some time on it. Unless the road bike has a triple up front, there is going to be a serious difference in gearing and those hills are going to be tough! Good luck, Rob |
| 2005-04-25 1:53 PM in reply to: #147625 |
Champion 6786 Two seat rocket plane | Subject: RE: Mtn vs Road bike - gears I think I would need more details about the bikes in question before giving advice. How old is each one? Brands/models? what components? how well has each one been maintained? Is one of them too big/small for you? Failing any details, I'd say put the slick tires on the bike that you are most confortable on and go race. |
| 2005-04-25 3:56 PM in reply to: #147625 |
| Member 62 Atlanta | Subject: RE: Mtn vs Road bike - gears Thanks for the feedback! I believe I will change out the tires, not sure why I was thinking this, but I assumed that by changing the tires, it would need a brake adjustment for the width of the tire? I am such a newb! Jeff |
| 2005-04-25 6:39 PM in reply to: #147790 |
Elite 3498 Chicago | Subject: RE: Mtn vs Road bike - gears grahznybratchny - 2005-04-25 2:56 PM Thanks for the feedback! I believe I will change out the tires, not sure why I was thinking this, but I assumed that by changing the tires, it would need a brake adjustment for the width of the tire? I am such a newb! Jeff Smart choice! I rode a MTB for my first 5 years of triathlon racing but just put city slicks on them. Minor tread but inverted and was able to pump them up to something like 80-100 psi I think. worked great! I trained on the knobbies though and just changed to the slicks for races... |
| 2005-04-26 4:04 PM in reply to: #147625 |
Regular 140 Boulder, CO | Subject: RE: Mtn vs Road bike - gears Definitely switch the slick tires to the bike you're more comfortable on. You wondered whether you'd need to adjust the brakes for the new tires. You MIGHT need to do this if you swap entire wheels, because rim widths can vary. However, I'd recommend avoiding this by actually removing the tires from the rims on Bike A and mounting them on rims from Bike B. You'll keep your cassette (the gears in the back) on Bike B this way as well, and cassettes can affect (in a BIG way) how difficult it is to pedal up hills. About the difference you feel between the two bikes...my guess is it's a fit problem. The first thing I'd look at is seat height. Put your heel on the pedal and spin the cranks until the pedal is at its lowest point. Your knee should be slightly bent. Try the same on the other bike and see if there is a difference. Having a seat too low will make it very difficult to climb hills. Before the race, make sure you pump those tires up to their maximum. It should state the PSI range on the sidewalls. Hope this helps! bock |
| 2005-04-26 5:40 PM in reply to: #148516 |
| Subject: RE: Mtn vs Road bike - gears If you're going from regular mountain bike tires (knobbies) to true slicks, you made need to get smaller tubes as well ($4.50 @ REI). I believe the next step down from 26 by 2.2's are 26 by 1.6-1.9. Although if you're changing from tires you already have mounted, you will already have those tubes. |
| 2005-04-26 9:28 PM in reply to: #147625 |
Master 2033 | Subject: RE: Mtn vs Road bike - gears I agree, swap the slick tires to the bike that fits and is easy to ride. dont swap the wheels because you will want to keep the gear ratio the same. |
| 2005-04-26 11:16 PM in reply to: #147625 |
| Member 62 Atlanta | Subject: RE: Mtn vs Road bike - gears Thanks again for all of the help and insight (is that right/write?)! This is truly a place where you learn something new every day. Hopefully I am on my way to a successful ride. We'll see. Jeff Edited by grahznybratchny 2005-04-26 11:23 PM |
| 2005-04-27 8:40 AM in reply to: #147625 |
Champion 4902 Ottawa, Ontario | Subject: RE: Mtn vs Road bike - gears Your best option for racing up steep hills is a road bike; a good road bike will beat a good mountain bike up a hill any day. However, if you do not want to invest too much for your first triathlon, you can simply put slicks on the mountain bike that you are more comfortable with. |
| 2005-04-27 9:14 AM in reply to: #148790 |
Pro 4206 Los Angeles, CA | Subject: RE: Mtn vs Road bike - gears Why? I thought because of the gear ratios, a mtb would be easier. Is it because,the weight is a bigger factor? Machiavelo - 2005-04-27 5:40 AM Your best option for racing up steep hills is a road bike; a good road bike will beat a good mountain bike up a hill any day. However, if you do not want to invest too much for your first triathlon, you can simply put slicks on the mountain bike that you are more comfortable with. |
| 2005-04-27 11:31 AM in reply to: #148819 |
Regular 140 Boulder, CO | Subject: RE: Mtn vs Road bike - gears auto208562 - 2005-04-27 7:14 AM Why? I thought because of the gear ratios, a mtb would be easier. Is it because,the weight is a bigger factor? Machiavelo - 2005-04-27 5:40 AM Your best option for racing up steep hills is a road bike; a good road bike will beat a good mountain bike up a hill any day. Yes, weight is a factor, but even more importantly, road bikes have skinny, high pressure tires with very low rolling resistance. You're right that gear ratios on mountain bikes are better (i.e., easier) for climbing steep hills, but a road bike's better rolling resistance and lighter weight makes up for it. Plus, these days you can get a road bike with a triple chainring for gear ratios that start to approach those of mountain bikes. bock |
| 2005-04-27 11:39 AM in reply to: #148790 |
Regular 140 Boulder, CO | Subject: RE: Mtn vs Road bike - gears Machiavelo - 2005-04-27 6:40 AM Your best option for racing up steep hills is a road bike; a good road bike will beat a good mountain bike up a hill any day. It depends on the hill. Try taking your road bike up the Widowmaker climb in Grand Junction, CO. (hint: it's really really steep...and dirt) Just kidding, I agree with you if you're talking about pavement. But my point is that some of us race (or plan to do our 1st triathlon, in my case) at Xterra events. And mountain bikes are certainly faster up hills on that sort of terrain! bock |
| 2005-04-27 2:42 PM in reply to: #148589 |
Champion 6786 Two seat rocket plane | Subject: RE: Mtn vs Road bike - gears Triple_Sparty - 2005-04-26 5:40 PM If you're going from regular mountain bike tires (knobbies) to true slicks, you made need to get smaller tubes as well ($4.50 @ REI). I believe the next step down from 26 by 2.2's are 26 by 1.6-1.9. Although if you're changing from tires you already have mounted, you will already have those tubes. Nah, you don't HAVE to. You can just stuff the big tubes into the itres. It'll work. It will also carry a small weight penalty. MTB tubes are almost one-size fits all. I use the smallest ones I can find (usually marked for 1.5 )even in 2.2 and 2.3 tires. |
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