Road Bike vs Mountain Bike on road - fitness related

[rico]

This is something I've often pondered. I go for road rides on my mountain bike for training. Just pump up the tyres and off I go.

I would imagine if I did the same route on a road bike, I'd go faster due to less drag etc etc.

However... which would be the better workout for the same time period?

- Slower mountain bike, but harder to go at Xmph for Xmiles

- Faster road bike, easier to go at Xmph for Xmiles but cover more miles in a set time.

Over to you...

[tombaron]

I suppose it matters what you are looking for in 'fitness'.

The mountain bike idea would also increase strength, whereas the road bike idea would build on endurance - perhaps?

Any sports scientists?

[mat205125]

At least on a mountain bike you'll look cool

[rico]

Posted the same question on TriTalk...

www.tritalk.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=27131

[rico]

mat205125 said:

At least on a mountain bike you'll look cool

True... but there are some stunning roadies to follow up the hills... for example:

[mat205125]

Anyone want to buy a mountain bike

[saddle bum]

rico said:

I bet she's saying, "If you can catch me, you can have me".

[coopers]

saddle bum said:

rico said:

I bet she's saying, "If you can catch me, you can have me".

No thats what you'll be hoping thats she saying when your chasing after while trying to manage the pain of another hill or slight incline....

Any more fit girlys getting into road racing? BTW i've never seen a good looking Downhiller nor for that matter MTB?

[rico]

coopers said:

Any more fit girlys getting into road racing? BTW i've never seen a good looking Downhiller nor for that matter MTB?

There's quite a few fit MTBers, although they seem to be more back in the late 90s than now. Also, they're not as stunning as the roadies imo. Maybe the fit ones crash early on and become mingers?

Few examples although I'll admit, they're the best MTBers, but compared to the roadies...:

Paola Pezza (XC)


Leigh Donovan (DH)


Danika Schroeter and Jenelle Cassidy (DH)


Anneke Beerten (4X)


There's one who I can't remember. Was having the same conversation with Neil last week... lol

Edited by rico on Monday 5th March 22:11

[rico]

www.cyclingforums.com/t123474-best-looking-female-cyclist.html

18 pages!!!

[rico]

April Lawyer! Thats the one! Downhiller

[rico]

More April:

www.winexmagazine.com/images/6point1/small/gb1.jpg
www.winexmagazine.com/images/6point1/small/gb2.jpg
www.winexmagazine.com/images/6point1/small/gb3.jpg
www.winexmagazine.com/images/6point1/small/gb4.jpg
www.winexmagazine.com/images/6point1/small/gb5.jpg
www.winexmagazine.com/images/6point1/small/gb6.jpg
www.winexmagazine.com/images/6point1/small/gb7.jpg

[mat205125]

Got a soft spot for Ruth Brooker who writes for MBUK. Especially with her hair in pig tails.

Mate of mine is always on about Rachel Atherton, but I'm not so sure.

[rico]

mat205125 said:

Got a soft spot for Ruth Brooker who writes for MBUK. Especially with her hair in pig tails.

Know what you mean. Some pics I think "nice" other ones though are a bit "bleh..."

mat205125 said:

Mate of mine is always on about Rachel Atherton, but I'm not so sure.

Again, another 'can be nice, can not be' girl. There was an AWESOME photo of Gee launching over a road jump and Rachel is standing on the road in a bikini top. It was in a mag and I'd LOVE to get that as a wallpaper. Such a cool photo.

[mat205125]

Dig it out, scan and post.

[rico]

mat205125 said:

Dig it out, scan and post.

I've NO clue where it is! Wish I did. Pretty sure I chucked it out. It was in MBUK or DIRT and was a feature on all three Athertons.

Edited by rico on Tuesday 6th March 13:34

[catso]

saddle bum said:

rico said:

I bet she's saying, "If you can catch me, you can have me".

If that's the case then I won't use this;




I'll use this;

Edited by catso on Tuesday 6th March 16:32

[clonmult]

That'd be unfair though ... but oh so worth it!

Back on topic though, you could always put a set of road tyres onto the mtb for road usage.

I'm currently commuting on my mtb, and am mulling over changing the tyres from the standard knobbly jobs to something more suited to road usage. I'll definitely need to do that for the L2B ride, but I'm also wondering if its worth keeping the off road tyres on just for strength training, then swap over to road tyres a few weeks before the L2B so that I can get acclimatised to the different ride.

[saddle bum]

clonmult said:

That'd be unfair though ... but oh so worth it!

Back on topic though, you could always put a set of road tyres onto the mtb for road usage.

I'm currently commuting on my mtb, and am mulling over changing the tyres from the standard knobbly jobs to something more suited to road usage. I'll definitely need to do that for the L2B ride, but I'm also wondering if its worth keeping the off road tyres on just for strength training, then swap over to road tyres a few weeks before the L2B so that I can get acclimatised to the different ride.

If you want to swap tyres around, you need another pair of wheels as the rims for slicks are narrower.

[mat205125]

saddle bum said:

If you want to swap tyres around, you need another pair of wheels as the rims for slicks are narrower.

You can get road tyres for MTB's that are perfectly ok on your 26" MTB rims. Even Halfords stock these I think.