I have been riding MTB for 10 years and I have just tried a road bike first time and I think the biggest difference is the braking. My feeling was I have no brake when going downhill...
you know a youtuber quality content video, when you watch a video of 2017 in 2022 and still find it instructive. Thank-you a lot for this video and for all your smart contents.
Recently I bought an used road bike for training on tarmac, to save my mtb's drivetrain and tires. Its simple build, but excellent for me. I have an XC mtb too, with mid-range groupset and components. I never had a road bike before. Now as I bought one, I got some experience with it. So with my road bike with the same effort is about 3-4km/h faster than my mtb (in same conditions, same weather, etc, not scientifically measured but trust me). I think it is due to the lower, more aerodynamic position and the smaller frontal area of the bike itself, which lowers aero drag drastically. I love it btw. :) Im not too fit but has same basic fitness level. Never been able before to ride up to 38km/h longer than 1 min on mtb. Now its on the road bike became reality for up to 8-10 minutes. Insane. My tipical zone2 speed on mtb is about 26-27km/h on good quiet days. On the road bike, it went up to 29-30km/h with the exact same effort.
Been on a MTB for 12 years. As I've gotten older (40) I've been riding more and more gravel/road and less dirt. Figured it was time for a change. Picked up my Cannondale Slate tonight. Hit a quick 10 mile ride because the sun was going down by the time I got home and wow, the differences were huge. It honestly felt sketchy af. Even felt different muscles working harder than normal. Going to do a 30-40 mile tomorrow and hope to get more familiar with how it feels. Loosing some of this old man gut should help immensely as the more aero position feels weird. Thanks for the video.
If you are going to use for commuting, and the roads in your country are perfect and the drivers are not the "maniac kind", trying to run over you, I would go with the Road bike. But if the roads are plain crap, you need to go on different terrains, and you don't want anything that stop you, and you are the kind of guy that came from BMX and like to make wheelies and stuff like that... go with the MTB, it's gonna be more confortable on the long run. The road bike is faster, lighter, but it's not that confortable and you need pristine roads to take advantage of them.
I rode road bike for two years now switched to MTB still learning pump and jump, road bike is pleasure feels like gliding on the road. MTB is raw you need better skills in handling and burst muscle power
riding a road bike is simply amazing experience. I own entry level Trek MTB and recently bought a 105 spec roadie. Now just can't get enough of riding road bike.
I switched to Road Bike two weeks ago and the first thing I mentioned was the new riding position. The First days my back really hurted nur now I got used to it. I really enjoy riding my RB for commuting because you can go soo fast and all in all it doesn't feel as hard as I expected. But I still prefer my MTB because it's way more comfortable and you can ride it everywhere.
I started riding an MTB 3 months ago and I can say that it is very stable to ride though very heavy on the road and can barely hold on to a 30kph speed. One time I tried riding my friend's road bike and it feels very different. It feels less stable as if I feel I'm going to stumble anytime soon but man it feels way lighter and I can carry a 30kph speed with ease!
@@randomthoughts8346 They weigh very close.. But a classic RB can go lighter around 8kg while a stock budget MTB weighs around 12-13kg. Considering a classic roadbike is made of steel but its frame is tubular and thin so I guess it wouldn't give that much weight. But for an estimate, a classic roadbike weighs around 10-12kg.
When I was a kid I rode a BMX, then as a teen I had a cheap 10 speed "road" bike. When I got back into bicycling, I bought an entry level Giant...The first thing I did was get rid of the front squishy fork, I hate mountain bike forks..so heavy and robs so much energy. I then found myself going with slicker and thinner tires over time...my mountain bike looked kinda silly but I loved how fast it was on the roads ( I hardly ever "mountain biked in my life, if at all). My next bike was a 105 equipped road bike. I liked the speed but was so uncomfortable on it leaning over like that. Today I ride a cyclocross/gravel bike and it is the best bike for me personally. I get the things I liked about both..upright seating, drop bars, running 28cm wide tires (Continental 4000s 2's) disk brakes, carbon fork...I have some things I would change but I will probably always just buy cyclocross or gravel or adveture or whatever new marketing word they want to call that geometry that allows something a bit wider for a tire than a 25c..28-32 is perfect for me (32 in the winter with a bit of tread) and doesn't hurt my back from bending over the the whole time.
The geometry for one. A gravel or cyclocross bike is closer to a road bike although a bit more upright seating. A mountain bike typically has flat bars while a gravel or cyclocross bike tends to have drop bars like a road bike. The tires on a gravel bike are usually wider than on a road bike but not as wide as a mountain bike, also mountain bikes usually have suspension. Gravel and cross typically do not have suspension or if they do it is much less travel and lighter. To simplify it, a gravel bike is just a road bike that can fit wider width tires...there is more to it than that but that is the most basic difference...gravel bikes are closer to road bikes than they are mountain bikes.
Agree with everything he said. Road bikes really trained my core muscles more that when I get back riding my MTB it feels like a leisury and plush comfy bike.. of course I'm talking if ridden on the road.
I have MTB and Road bike , the biggest difference is the weight between them , road have the “ light “ feeling, and mtb bike are more “ stable “ but heavy as hell to ride on the road , but i love them all 😍
Road bikes seem *kinda* interesting, but i like bikepacking/touring, and going really far in a day only means i would drive past more good campsites and hiking opportunities along the way. My MTB allow me to get reasonably fast from one food store/watersource to the next, and i can also use it to explore some nice trails along the way.
I have both and it is a completely different experience. I love my road bike but every time I switch I enjoy. For example the MTB is much better position to look at the scenery while the road bike with your head down more into numbers and speed. Living in the mountains both are perfect to enjoy gravel road/forest roads or go into long fast rides with the road bike. I am however more cautious with the road bike because of cars which can be dangerous.
I had been riding MTBs for 2 years when I first bought my Road Bike. For the record, I thought I would be faster by default; and I was indeed faster, but had I ever imagined the legs you have to put into a road bike for the higher speeds.
Well..I tried out my first road bike today. I was really surprised with the speed for the same effort as the mountain bike. I kept shifting hand postions on the bar. I really dont like the drop position when I am going downhill. It was scary fast for me. Maybe I will get more comfortable in time. Overall, amazing experience! Cant wait to take it on a paved trail.
Tried the road bike briefly, just made me all the more sure that I prefer the MTB for all around riding. Maybe a little heavier and slower but much more comfortable.
I just made the switch from a flat bar to a drop bar. Still getting used to the braking; especially when riding on the hoods. I feel like i have to press really hard just to activate the brakes. The bike seems to go just a little bit faster probably due to my new found riding position. On the flats it was hard for me to bend low and get more aero, but on the drop bar it just seems more smooth/natural to bend lower.
The comparison feels like comparing HULK with BRUCE LEE .But just the kind of video I wanted , I am about to make a switch from MTB to ROAD, this video is of a great help.
I like the versatility of a Mt Bike. I can ride it on pavement, gravel, or rocky dirt trails. I also feel that a Mt Bike requires greater handling skills because of the obstacles you deal with riding a trail. At least I need to always concentrate while riding a Mt. Bike off road. However, I love riding my road bike. The handle bars offer me multiple positions which helps reduce fatigue in my back, hands, and arms. The bike is much lighter and lighter feeling. It seems so much more responsive to any inputs, steering or pedaling. The road bike allows me to go faster and on much longer rides; 50 miles on a road bike is nothing.I believe a Mt Bike is more of a mental work-out; while a road bike is more of a physical workout.
I did the reverse, I just recently bought a mountain bike when i already have 2 road bikes. My road bikes consist of a light-weight + carbon wheels Giant for speed; and a "heavier" Specialized with disc brakes for longer and slower rides. I live in the city and don't venture off-road but i reckon a MTB would be a good change when using it as a casual commuter bike or on occasional trips to the beach with less than perfect terrain - an entry-level $600 10-speed Giant ATX. I actually came from a GT MTB when i was much younger and only went the road bike route when i got back into the hobby last year.
@Steve King I would think a road bike is more suitable if you live in the city and most of your rides are on roads, which is my case. But i do like the option of being able to ride down urban stairs (not too steep of course) or the occasional off-road terrain - parks with cobblestone trails and sandy beaches, which are occasional rather than the norm. I don't know anything about gravel bikes but I've seen many bike mags/reviewers saying "All you need is a gravel bike". As for MTBs, I do have to get used to its weight, as I bought an entry-level aluminum one so its close to 14kg. Its not built for speed or agility when compared to your road bike definitely, but its definitely more versatile if you mainly ride on rough terrain. Don't spend too much on a second "supplementary" MTB if you live in a modern urban/city environment. I use my MTB mainly for commutes and errands while my road bike i use for early morning exercise (>2 hour rides). I have more accessories on my road bikes though - high-power lights, bike computer and a Gopro camera. The added weight is less of an issue as my road bikes are 8-9kg compared to the heft of the 14kg MTB. You should consider a gravel bike as a nice compromise.
ive ridden mountain bike for around 10 years already, cant wait to switch in upcoming months and see the difference. I really hate when peoeple fith which is better mtb or road bike, its completely preference. one is not better than another its all about usage.
One is better than another one on the usage , that’s true right ? I hate people say both bikes are equally good for everything when they are not ;) last time I own a bike was 20 years ago , I am googling just because I want a bike to commute and easy to ride . After reading all the comments , seems like mountain bike is better for me .
My question is why is it that road bikes are more expensive than mountain bikes,that doesn't make sense being that mountain bikes have a lot more parts.
I have two vintage road bikes, so the road bikers look down on me too. I mean, both of my road bikes have 27" wheels, rim brakes, and-wait for it-downtube shifters! Who WOULDN'T look down on such ancient, low tech bikes? However, no modern road bikes have the frame geometry, ride, and character of my vintage machines; you literally can't get any new road bike like mine. I've had guys offer to buy my old Marukin M-420, but she's not for sale; as long as I'm breathing, it'll be part of my stable. The same applies to my Cannondale ST500. I love my vintage road bikes... 😁😁
90% of the time i use my Mountain Bike on the road with the fork locked... However, i really like bike backpacking and exploring surrounded by trees on a gravel/dirt/rocky roads and it really compensates for the slower speed that i'm riding. Also i don't trust road bikes because they are lighter=less material=it's not so durable like a mountain bike. Also i think the design of a mountain bike is better with that fork, that huge cog on the cassette and larger tires. It's easier to maintain control, you have better brakes (Some road bikes have really good brakes but they are more expensive for the sake of weight). P.S: Where is the other half of the fork?
Being someone who as only ridden mtb, just feeling how efficient, light and fast rolling road tires are by trying someone else's bikes makes me want to get one just for the occasional road ride
I ride my hardtail mtb mostly on road. I have the forks locked and next imma gonna switch form knobbies to a thinner road biased tires. Maybe a carbon stiff fork next. Or should i just get a cyclocross and be done with it
I put a carbon fork/drop bar and road slicks on my hardtail and its great for the road. My gearing really helps too having a 48/11 gearing for good top speed.
andrewhtf why don’t you just get a hybrid bike,by the time you have spent a lot of money that will be what you have converted your bike to,forgive me if I’m wrong.
Biggest difference I'd like to know is how much difference there is on hardpack trails between the two. I see a lot of roadies doing fast times and want to know if them being on Road bike Vs me on XC is going to make a big difference. I've never really rode a road bike so have no reference.
after more than 20 years mountain, I tried gravel. it fells so much difference. it much better fore fitness and really strength my legs, I can heartily reach 40 km/hr for gravel. I will try road bike soon and hope will have much more fun.
ive been riding a heavy mtb for years on the road, but this yr i bought a low end road bike (giant ocr4). although it was about 3kg lighter, i was not that impressed at first. seemed roughly the same in terms of speed, but found the handle bars awkward and the ride firm which it made my hands and arms sore, and the saddle was not very comfortable either. it was also awkward to steer around obstacles, and the brakes were almost non existent. i did around 500 miles on it, without using my mtb at all, and so became adjusted to it. last week i went back to the mtb again, after some repairs, and it felt really slow and heavy and needed much more effort to cycle the same route. so i think its easier to spot the road bikes advantages when going back to the mtb, than the opposite way around (ie you notice extra effort needed easier than less effort). but also i think weight is more important factor than other aspects. a lighter mtb would likely also give roughly the same speed per effort advantage over my old mtb as the lighter road bike. you wouldnt have the aero advantage, but generally it would feel easier to pedal. i still think, over-all, i prefer riding a mtb due to practicality and squishy comfort, and might just buy a lighter one. both types of bike are fun though, in different ways. but one thing is certain. if you want to get fit, ride a heavy bike. because a light bike will spoil you rotten. my fitness seems to have gone way off after riding the lighter bike! might be best to buy a really heavy bike, then fix a trailer to it, fill it with bricks and ride up the steepest hills you can find.
Overall a lighter MTB won't really make much difference on the road unless your doing a lot of climbing, most of what your fighting on the road is wind resistance due to the higher speeds, this is where narrower and drop bars are a big help as well as proper road cycling kit. I do think one thing road cycling will improve for mountain bikers is being more aware of your terrain as you can't just roll over things.
Brilliant video. I grew up riding hard tail mtb’s and rode them extensively as an adult. Having moved recently to Melbourne, Australia; I have placed an order for my first ever road bike. The 2018 Giant TCR Advanced 2 Disc.
Thanks for explaining all these differences..!! I used to MTB a few years ago and now thinking of switching to road bike but don’t know anything about it.. 😬
I love all types of bikes but road bikes are just exhilarating and definitely my favorite to ride, they aren't versatile on terrain but the speed and simplicity are incredibly addictive. If you haven't ridden a road bike you are in for a shock at just how fast they move!
I have bin wondering. I find a good fiting road bike having good comfort level as in very little discomfort. How would a cross bike compare. You said it was built for speed not comfort.
i just did the swap from mtb to road and on my first rides im struggling with the riding position. have pain on the back of my neck and the outer side of my hands even though bike size is perfect
road bikes are HARSH, your body/joints feel every single bump, and it gets tiring, even if they can travel faster, for city commute, a light frame, hardtail mtb with smooth hybrid tyres (shwalbe silento, city jet etc.) would be 'faster', as you can ride 'as the crow flies', without swerving or slowing down around potholes, rocks etc. IMO. for training though a road bike is essential. but not ideal for riding in the city, daily commute, for that i just have a 2nd set of wheels with hybrid tires that go on the hardtail :D
Alexandros Nicolaou yes it harsh, but i had some tips to do, when you encounter a speedbumps, potholes or any bad roads, just lift your ass from the saddle and relax your grip on handles, and also your bend a bit your legs as it acts like a spring, it will reduce the feel of the harshness. Oh uplevel your tires to bigger size and drop your tire pressure, mine originally use 23 size on 100psi now i use 28 on 85psi (since i'm 100kg guy), the bigger the tire it will absorb more any bumps on the road it will cause more drag or resistance but for me comforting your ride is more important, with this setup i just drop 2kph than using the 23c tyre
Alex Nicolaou I have 38mm smooth tires on my touring bike. It's the best way to go imo. The extra width somewhat compensates for the loss of grip compared to thinner knobby tires. I would never ride anything under 35mm again.
nice comparison, I did it other way around, been riding road bike for 2 years, before then some hybrid bike or mtb with slicks on road. Now bought a used MTB and hiting local trails and marathons when the weather gets colder and windy on the road
Ive been riding MTB XC for years, decent distance, about 60 plus. I started riding with roadies and felt like I should join the club and I was ready to feel the super speed you guys have been talking about but road bikes feel like torture when it comes to comfort. Is it me or what? Road bikes are really hard and stiff and I don’t feel that they are much faster than my MTB XC bike. Any tips?
Maybe you bought wrong size bike. It has to be comfortable, but in a much different way than the mtb. And yes, road bikes are faster with the same effort than mtb. I have both, the difference is great in terms of speed. But my fitness level is the same on both bikes. Speed isnt a good measuring value
I have a flat bar road bike and flat pedals it's a really good bike. It Doesn't appeal to me having drop handle bars and needing special shoes to be clipped in.
I road a mtn bike 15 miles today for the first time in 6 years. Felt heavy, snow, and a lot of drag. Though it handled the forest section mighty well and road imperfections with the front shocks and rear shocks. Curious how a road bike feels 🤔
its not exactly the point of the video...road bikes are like different sport its like saying you dont need to play basket when you can play handball...its doesnt make any sense, road bikes are good for training, fast and enjoyable to ride. Nobody said they are the more versatile. Its your opinion to have 1 bike...I would like to have 3 - road, enduro and travel (probably gravel with bags).
H Z ... Sure. Nothing wrong to have an SUV, a sedan, a coupe, a station wagon, a van, an RV, a jeep, a limo, a super car, etc. They all have their own use therefore all of us got to have them all 👍🏻
H Z not everyone is bike enthusiast like you, I am googling bike is just because I want to buy a bike to commute , and only realized there is something call road bike or mountain bike . And I don’t really care about the 80km per hour speed .... So is that really true for people like me , mountain bike is the best choice ? Comfort , easy to ride , can easy go over 25 km per hour . I think the RUclipsr love road bike a lot, but most people who doesn’t know the different between mountain bike and road bike (like me), they are pure beginner , and most likely they just want to buy a bike to commute , not because of hobby
@@muyguapo5886 Hardtail or cross bike should be the best for you. On hardtail you can go easily to woods or on really bad route but on cross bike you will be faster in city because the geometry is closer to road bike and it has bigger gears and better tires for road....(sometimes they call them tour bikes)
I just want a bike for me to go to work , 10km one way, so return is 20km. So should I get a road bike or mountain bike , I only want one bike not two bikes. Road bike looks super uncomfortable to ride, and especially I have a backpack for my laptop. For me comfortable, easy to ride , good enough speed is the key . I am not a racer , as long as it go above 25km per hour then I am happy
Road bike is faster, mountain bike is easier to handle at first (road bike can feel quit dangerous at first, but you should try that yourself, everyone feels different) and more comfortable with backpack (you are in more straighten up position). Try both in shop and you will see, people use both types for commuting. Also depends on the price range - you will get a better road bike in the same price range. If you don´t want to invest much, go with road bike or rigid mtb with no suspension (for commuting, I would recommend rigid fork also - you will safe lots of trouble with cheap suspension forks and a lot of weight). But in lower prices you will get much lighter (and faster) road bike than mountain bike. For me personally, road bike is speed over comfort. Mtb is comfort over speed. If you commute only through a city, I wouldn´t think a second and buy a mtb bike, preferably with rigid fork. If you commute on road where you don´t have to stop on lights every 200m, and you want to be a bit faster, think about a road bike. The time difference on the 10kms could be about 4-5minutes and it will be less of a exercise.
@@muyguapo5886 That can also be a choice, but it´s a bit on the heavier size. But there is really no bike (type) that fits all, go to a bike shop, try ride all the bike types and you will see on which you feel the most comfortable. MTB, hybrid and road all feel very different, you can´t advice anyone remotely, you have to try it and see. If you are a total beginner, the feeling on the bike (if you feel in control, safe) is the most important thing, much more important if one is faster than the other.
i love looking that MERIDA.... that two bike is not TOO TIRED so they can stand alone w/o stand, i don't see any :) by the way i'm planning to buy ROAD BIKE, I will use it when i go home to the province , thanks for posting this video.. from Philippines.
I went the other way; I started on a road bike, then got an MTB to go with it. I like BOTH! Depending on my mood, I can scratch multiple itches... 😁😁 As for tires, one can get multiple MTB tires that are biased for the street. In stock form, then yes, the MTB's tires will make noise and feel strange. You don't have to let that be a determining factor as to which type of bike you choose, as you can easily change the tires on the MTB to something better suited for the street. Also, WRT tire pressures, that's not the only determinant of ride quality and characteristics; tire construction is. I saw this with my road bikes. I have a Marukin M-420 with a 025 Ishiwata Chromoly frame fitted with Panaracer Pasela Protite tires; the Protite offers extra puncture protection, but the ride is a bit stiffer. OTOH, my Cannondale ST500, which has an aluminum frame, is fitted with the regular Panaracer Paselas; these don't have the extra puncture protection. Even though it has an Al frame, the Cannondale rides as well, if not better than, the Marukin, even though it has a stiffer frame. What's the difference? The tire construction. On my MTB, I have Continental Contact Plus City tires fitted. I wanted the old Town & Country tires, as I mostly ride on the street, but they're no longer made; my LBS recommended the Contact Plus City tires, as they're the most similar to the old T&Cs. The Conti Contact Plus City tires are ebike rated to 50 kmh, and they have lots of puncture protection; i.e. they're robustly constructed. What does that mean? When I squeeze them and the road bike tires, there isn't much difference in feel; even though there's 30 psi difference between their operating pressures, they feel the same. These tires also feel about as rough as the road bike tires when going over bumps. SO! Tire construction plays a huge role in terms of ride quality.
@@Tarzan1972 we have an abundance of choice in the US, yes. However, Holland is a modern, First World country located near Germany, home of Continental Tires. At the very least, I would think that a Dutch LBS would be able to order whatever tire is needed.
I'd rather not hit either one. Being aware of your surroundings and picking little used roads and/or roads with good shoulders are part of riding a bike, and really not that difficult in my experience. Though it does depend on where you live, I hope you get used to riding on road or paved trails and experience the joy of riding a road bike.
urban/commuting requires a new set of skills, 90% of which is just situational awareness and prediction. It is very different from riding a trail where tunnel vision is almost an advantage, training your mind two watch and identify hazards from out of the side of your sight takes some time, but once you get the habit riding in traffic becomes much safer and less stressful. It does require any special natural talent, just time and understanding. There are places with zero infrastructure where it is just unsafe, so it is best to drive the route ahead of time to scout it out also, if you are in a higher population area checking strava "heat maps" may give really valuable hints as well. In terms of just road biking, odds are that fantastic roads are much closer than trail heads and as a road rider that advantage of starting/finishing a ride from my garage is massive! Taking away a specific destination in an urban area changes just about everything in terms of skills, it is very different from commuting/urban riding and yes many roadies are just as terrified (and SKETCHY especially riders on TT bikes) of population centers as mountain riders. I'm biased, but if i had to get rid of a bike my mountain bike would be the first to go, man technical trails are scary as hell! Some tips; Ride like you are invisible, relax and watch your entire field of vision, have an escape route and cover your brakes, be visible through both clothing and road position, follow rules of the road, don't just look at a car, look at the driver and wheels. Drivers only see what they expect and will stare right at you without SEEING YOU, you are invisible always.
I started with a hardtail with decent groupset, 27.5 wheels, lockout on front shock so it isn't so heavy to ride on asphalt. www.trailforks.com/ Find trails near you and ride em. Really fun to discover areas near you you might not even known about. I would also add you should get a shockpump that does at least 200 psi. A normal floorpump doesn't work. And maybe shock oil if you want to service it yourself. Sram/Rockshox recommends service of fork every 50 hours of riding. Then theres always the protection, like knee and elbow protection. Definitely wear a helmet. I hit my head 2 times in 2 weeks. At low speed thankfully and on grass/mud. Same with my knees. I use flat pedals on mine, even tho I use exclusively clipless on my roadbike. It's just safer. I can jump off my bike any time and I don't get the bike over me if I was clipped in.
Now saying that I I'm 40+ I used to mtb 22 years ago and bmx too I can bunny hop my road bike so I'm sure I can do that :-) o and 22 years ago shocks hardly existed on bike bar pro bikes lol
I hate road bikes with traditional brakes. How are you going to stop at high speed? And it sucks to drive with cars and motorbikes around because you are slowest and have highest chance of dying in road accidents. Just the traffic puts me off from road bike. Gravel is ok
Good point +SickBiker! I used to be a roadie and used to race Time Trials but I made a switch and really enjoying Enduro Mountain biking so a mtn bike and a CX bike are my arsenal ever since.
Cannondale's specialty. It's called a lefty fork, geniusly engineered by the people at Cannondale. Search it up! Pretty interesting indeed. And yeah, it's 100% safe.
@@lakshannv My XC MTB has a 42 chainring 12 tooth cassette and I got to 54 km/h (using my phone cycling app). I’m also very strong so I’m not doubtful I can do 80 km/h. That’s the highest I’ve seen anyone do. Otherwise, your 120 km/h is almost for fact fake. Use a proper app and you’ll probably find out you’re doing 60 tops.
@@kiuk_kiks you'd be surprised.. I'm a high cadence rider myself. Like you, I too wanted to see the max speed my bike could handle. 120kmh was on a fairly steep downhill with the highest pedaling rpm I could push. Of course I cannot sustain that speed on a flat road. I was just mentioning the top speed I could get out of my road bike. Isn't that what you said you were curious about?
54kmh on flat road? How much can you ride at that speed? I twice did 47kmh iin the hardest gear 3front 10 back(3-10) but only for a few seconds.. It s just impossible for me to do more its too hard(tires maxxis hookworm 2.5 body weight 110kg) and I am riding more than 10years.. How can I achieve your speed
@@najrobiksvomid9048 I started off going downhill then the road flattens out. I was also not completely fresh because it was after a long shift at work and I’d burned out riding at full pace for 4 minutes prior to that. My goal is to get a 48 tooth chainring and a 11 tooth cassette and try the same route. I’m sure I can do nearly 70 km/h if the wind is just right. I always struggled to get a really high cadence because I was already exhausted from working an 8 hour shift on my feet and cycling to work all on an empty stomach.
i ride mtb on city streets my strava says 22.5 km/h with a top speed of 71.7km/h with a moving time/elapse time of 2:44:11 on a marlin 5 with stock gearing 3x7 is this ok ? ive been pondering of saving for either a gravel or road bike
For 3 years, I averaged 19-23mph on my Giant 29er with slicks/touring tires on a 2x10 drivetrain used only pavement/city roads. Tho, I did switch to a Fuji roadie I bought off Craiglist. It's just makes a world of difference!
Top speed is meaningless. Strava often gets ridiculous top speeds due to inaccurate gps signal. With a road bike you would average over 25 kph for the same effort.
I am riding a budget road bike for 6 months. It has all Claris components. The most anoying think I felt difficult is to be used to the size of the bike. On the MTB, you can turn you handlebar all the way you want. But on the road, you need to pay attention or your feet will touch on the front wheel. It can be a crash. On the beginning I felt uncomfortable with the levers. Too difficult to be used to it. Now I think that's is normal. I do not like the brakes. Hydraulic brakes are much better than the claris one. Comfort I am still adjusting. Changed the original saddle. It helped. Next step is change the tires from 700x23 to 700x25 to help on the comfort. In general I liked. The bike is faster then the MTB. Another big difference is the gear ratio. On the road is much heavier. We have a lot of high climbs here. Using a 34x28 or 34x30 is difficult for beginners. Need to pay attention to it too when chose a cassete. Six months later I want to change the claris groupset to something with more gears. Maybe is better change the bike itself. Another budget 11v bike is the betwin 540.
The "feet touching the front wheel" Is this true of All Road Bikes? I haven't chosen a road bike yet, and I don't like riding below 44-42 ring so I guess I would want that for my middle ring and disc brakes I can't imagine going back.
endemic eden I think that on all road bikes you may touch the front wheel with your feet. But it only occours if you turn a lot your handlebar. Like making a maneuver.
endemic eden only if the bike is a 54 or smaller (normally, there may be newer bikes where the geometry makes you toeoverlap even in bigger sizes and viceversa).
endemic eden plus that's not a problem as you don't turn the wheel enough to hit while riding. Maybe while trackstanding, but most i get is a good rub on the shoe, never made me fall.
Matheus Lopes 42-22 is the lower i can get on my road bike, a 1991 reynolds frame with aero fork, 12 speeds. 9kg bike. What you need is to find a good climbing position, normally use the top of the handlebars, that way you get your weight on the back wheel, making it easy to "wobble the bike" (it helps climbing) and breathing. Good brakes are a must have, but thats all in the shoe and the skill of ajusting it. I have a pair of modolos from the 80's, with some newer cheap-o 5bucks shoes in the back and some old ones on front, it works as a charm, just keep them clean. Lots of modulation from low speed to high ( i live in a hilly area of portugal, it's normal to pass the 100kmh on descents).
If you go from mtb to road bike, you will feel harder to climb on it but you are going faster, real problem it's the completly different possition that you get generally you will feel a super longer reach and a different pedal motion
Ive been riding road for many year and a few years back decided to give MTB a try. I purchased a hardtail 29er but only rode it like 3 times, just felt too spongy and soft and slow. I did give it a try tho...
I would like to ask for your recommendation. I would like to ride on a leisurely bike on the road and be slightly cramped on the sandy, rocky and slightly undulating home of the house. so is it suitable to buy a premiere 4 (mtb) or hybrid bike. Thx bro
Depends if you decide to go clipless or flats as clipless will provide smoother and more efficient pedaling as you can pull up on the pedal whereas flats restrict that efficiency but it doesn't require any sort of cleats
I'm out of shape and trying to get fit, I never liked running or jogging but always loved bike riding. What would be better for a beginner just trying to get in shape?
Test them out, see what you like. I'd recommend a hybrid bike which is pretty much a mountain bike with street tires. It's comfortable, it can take some abuse but it doesn't have those chunky offroad tires that slow you down on tarmac.
For a beginner, definitely a hybrid. Preferably one with a rigid fork. You'll get the exercise you need and will be able to enjoy venturing off-road. MTB isn't the best for building a physique as it's considerably more demanding to just keep it moving, and road limits you to tarmac.
Yes.. On the flats mostly. Uphill will be less.. Down hill ... It depends but if the road is nice the road bike gust glides. Also has the gears for that. 53-11 is huge gear.
Hello, modern times came and I am comparing my e-bike (full suspension 20 kg monster) to lightweight gravel, major reason I want more exercise and different experience. Also I wanted to have a kind of project for sub 9kg bike which is impossible with mountain setup. I cannot tell if it is better but is different and I feel planted to the road and faster on descends and even roads, on the climbs well it is harder but I think after a while it will improve. For now I keep the two bikes.
Love this... thank you... YOUR SO RIGHT I HAVE 2 ROAD BIKES AND A 29ER...THIS HELPS SOO MUCH IN MY TRAINING, GREAT ENDURANCE, STAMINA, AND GREAT EFFICIENT PEDALLING.. IVE GOTTEN BETTER ON MY CADENCE...THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS GREAT CONTENT..👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼💪💪💪💪
I got drop bar ends(with hoods and drops, situated them closer to the middle and wrapped them) and road slicks for my hardtail MTB, locked the front suspension and it feels pretty damn close to my old road bike.
@Montañero Paisa It's night and day, when I switch to road slicks it was a much faster and smoother ride on asphalt. As for adding drop bars, you will be a little more aerodynamic which helps with air resistance. I can't speak much for back problems, all I can say is that keeping a sturdy posture is important also you might want to look into a suspension seat post to help reduce impact stress on your lower back.
what do you mean with roadies pace? if I overtake roadies with a MTB did I ride their pace then? ;) I would say ride your own pace and try to improve it by riding just a little bit over your level of comfort...
a mountain bike is a lot slower than a road bike, so what I mean is if you do a long distance ride on a mountain bike but try to keep speed with a group of roadies, would be a higher effort I think. I have a 2x11 road bike and a 1x12 mountain bike I can certainly notice the different on effort when I go out with the road group on the road bike vs when I take my mountain bike and try to keep the speed with them
My dad has a Roadbike. First time i use it on the street. I was racing a pickup truck 😂 then i went to the park. I pop the tire 😅 then he got it fix then i pop it again of course 😂. I learn that my style is too agrrsive 😅 needed to tone it down for sure on a roadbike 😊
The video also make me want to buy a road bike too, but after reading comments .... seems like mountain bike is better for me ... since I only need a bike to commute To work , and it snow a lot in the winter time ....
Never tried a roadbike before. They say it's a lot faster. I'm riding a mtb in the road just maintaining 20kph average by only using the highest gear possible because my shifter is broken so maybe riding a roadbike will probably feel like flying to me if I use the same power when I'm riding the mtb.
20kph is very basic speed to keep up! I'v seen some guys riding at 25-30kph on a mtb for long distances like 100km. Road bike is easier to keep up the speed. It takes less effort to keep up 30kph compared to mtb. Suppose that it takes 250 watts to keep 30kph in mtb. But, on a road bike it takes 150-170watts to keep up 30 kph on flat roads! So if you can keep up 25kph on a mtb then keeping up 30-35kph on a road bike will be a lot easier and you can ride whole day with that speed!
I'm like a Sunday rider and when I changed my cross bike with road+ bike with 32mm tires I was like "woah, it can be that easier?". I know it's not much but going from 21 to 24 on average with less effort made me like cycling again. I was riding to smoke pot in nice places before but I quit but Marin Gestalt made me going out for a ride every other day just for a fun of riding it.
Interesting video, I have been cycling for about 25 years my current bike is a pretty heavy hard tail which hasn't seen a dirt track in about 2 years and I am starting to want a road bike my biggest concern is how the narrow tyres will cope on our pot holed and cobbled roads.
I had my polygon helios c5 on a mtb trail, held up well, although not as fast and rough as I want to. Many Road bikes are more trail worthy than most of those wannabe mtb walmart bikes
i can only concur .. go for it! at first it the it feels like a scary rocket powered broomstick on ice skates, but it will grow on you fast *lol*, if you dont routinely go off road. even if you go cheap at first, you'll have a hard time to find a remotely shitty road bike. (cheap, crappy fixies are another thing)
I've never riden a road bike. Have a GT Compe (BMX) & a Scott Aspect 940 (Sport MTB). Used them both for commuting & use the 940 for my do it all, road & trails. I've thought about getting a road bike & I want one but it'll be a cyclocross bike. I can't stay off the trails if I'm near one.
I have been riding MTB for 10 years and I have just tried a road bike first time and I think the biggest difference is the braking. My feeling was I have no brake when going downhill...
you know a youtuber quality content video, when you watch a video of 2017 in 2022 and still find it instructive.
Thank-you a lot for this video and for all your smart contents.
This guy is awesome. He explains so well and is down to earth. Glad I saw this. Thanks man
Recently I bought an used road bike for training on tarmac, to save my mtb's drivetrain and tires. Its simple build, but excellent for me. I have an XC mtb too, with mid-range groupset and components. I never had a road bike before. Now as I bought one, I got some experience with it. So with my road bike with the same effort is about 3-4km/h faster than my mtb (in same conditions, same weather, etc, not scientifically measured but trust me). I think it is due to the lower, more aerodynamic position and the smaller frontal area of the bike itself, which lowers aero drag drastically. I love it btw. :) Im not too fit but has same basic fitness level. Never been able before to ride up to 38km/h longer than 1 min on mtb. Now its on the road bike became reality for up to 8-10 minutes. Insane. My tipical zone2 speed on mtb is about 26-27km/h on good quiet days. On the road bike, it went up to 29-30km/h with the exact same effort.
Been on a MTB for 12 years. As I've gotten older (40) I've been riding more and more gravel/road and less dirt. Figured it was time for a change. Picked up my Cannondale Slate tonight. Hit a quick 10 mile ride because the sun was going down by the time I got home and wow, the differences were huge. It honestly felt sketchy af. Even felt different muscles working harder than normal. Going to do a 30-40 mile tomorrow and hope to get more familiar with how it feels. Loosing some of this old man gut should help immensely as the more aero position feels weird. Thanks for the video.
If you are going to use for commuting, and the roads in your country are perfect and the drivers are not the "maniac kind", trying to run over you, I would go with the Road bike. But if the roads are plain crap, you need to go on different terrains, and you don't want anything that stop you, and you are the kind of guy that came from BMX and like to make wheelies and stuff like that... go with the MTB, it's gonna be more confortable on the long run. The road bike is faster, lighter, but it's not that confortable and you need pristine roads to take advantage of them.
I just picked up a full suspension after a few years of road riding. I feel like a beginner again, but love doing both!
I rode road bike for two years now switched to MTB still learning pump and jump, road bike is pleasure feels like gliding on the road. MTB is raw you need better skills in handling and burst muscle power
riding a road bike is simply amazing experience. I own entry level Trek MTB and recently bought a 105 spec roadie. Now just can't get enough of riding road bike.
I switched to Road Bike two weeks ago and the first thing I mentioned was the new riding position. The First days my back really hurted nur now I got used to it. I really enjoy riding my RB for commuting because you can go soo fast and all in all it doesn't feel as hard as I expected. But I still prefer my MTB because it's way more comfortable and you can ride it everywhere.
When i first swapped, I felt like an elephant on a tricycle
Ha, perfect description, tbh.
I started riding an MTB 3 months ago and I can say that it is very stable to ride though very heavy on the road and can barely hold on to a 30kph speed. One time I tried riding my friend's road bike and it feels very different. It feels less stable as if I feel I'm going to stumble anytime soon but man it feels way lighter and I can carry a 30kph speed with ease!
can i ask question ?
@@randomthoughts8346 sure. what's that?
@@LJMadrigalMusic what is more lighter ? a Classic Roadbike or alluminum alloy budget Mountain bike ?
@@randomthoughts8346 They weigh very close.. But a classic RB can go lighter around 8kg while a stock budget MTB weighs around 12-13kg. Considering a classic roadbike is made of steel but its frame is tubular and thin so I guess it wouldn't give that much weight. But for an estimate, a classic roadbike weighs around 10-12kg.
When I was a kid I rode a BMX, then as a teen I had a cheap 10 speed "road" bike. When I got back into bicycling, I bought an entry level Giant...The first thing I did was get rid of the front squishy fork, I hate mountain bike forks..so heavy and robs so much energy. I then found myself going with slicker and thinner tires over time...my mountain bike looked kinda silly but I loved how fast it was on the roads ( I hardly ever "mountain biked in my life, if at all). My next bike was a 105 equipped road bike. I liked the speed but was so uncomfortable on it leaning over like that. Today I ride a cyclocross/gravel bike and it is the best bike for me personally. I get the things I liked about both..upright seating, drop bars, running 28cm wide tires (Continental 4000s 2's) disk brakes, carbon fork...I have some things I would change but I will probably always just buy cyclocross or gravel or adveture or whatever new marketing word they want to call that geometry that allows something a bit wider for a tire than a 25c..28-32 is perfect for me (32 in the winter with a bit of tread) and doesn't hurt my back from bending over the the whole time.
What is the difference between a mtb and a gravel bike?
The geometry for one. A gravel or cyclocross bike is closer to a road bike although a bit more upright seating. A mountain bike typically has flat bars while a gravel or cyclocross bike tends to have drop bars like a road bike. The tires on a gravel bike are usually wider than on a road bike but not as wide as a mountain bike, also mountain bikes usually have suspension. Gravel and cross typically do not have suspension or if they do it is much less travel and lighter. To simplify it, a gravel bike is just a road bike that can fit wider width tires...there is more to it than that but that is the most basic difference...gravel bikes are closer to road bikes than they are mountain bikes.
Idem.
Dammit you are giving me the n+1 so bad right now
Agree with everything he said. Road bikes really trained my core muscles more that when I get back riding my MTB it feels like a leisury and plush comfy bike.. of course I'm talking if ridden on the road.
I have MTB and Road bike , the biggest difference is the weight between them , road have the “ light “ feeling, and mtb bike are more “ stable “ but heavy as hell to ride on the road , but i love them all 😍
Road bikes seem *kinda* interesting, but i like bikepacking/touring, and going really far in a day only means i would drive past more good campsites and hiking opportunities along the way. My MTB allow me to get reasonably fast from one food store/watersource to the next, and i can also use it to explore some nice trails along the way.
Buy a cylocross it will be a bit faster than mtb.
Mtb is freedom
Awesome comparison !!! 9 years of mountain biking, and just ordered a Canyon Grail (gravel) last night.....looking forward to the experience
I have both and it is a completely different experience. I love my road bike but every time I switch I enjoy. For example the MTB is much better position to look at the scenery while the road bike with your head down more into numbers and speed. Living in the mountains both are perfect to enjoy gravel road/forest roads or go into long fast rides with the road bike. I am however more cautious with the road bike because of cars which can be dangerous.
I have never seen a single sided fork bike before. Is there something special about having such a bike or just a matter of preference?
Only Cannondale makes them I believe. They are very light; half the weight probably ;)
I used to have one, the Cannondale Jekyll. They ride exactly the same and they are so strong that they are even on dh bikes now.
I had been riding MTBs for 2 years when I first bought my Road Bike. For the record, I thought I would be faster by default; and I was indeed faster, but had I ever imagined the legs you have to put into a road bike for the higher speeds.
What will happen if I attach roadbike wheels in mtb for smooth cityroads ?
Your bike's rolling ability will increase a lot!
Well..I tried out my first road bike today. I was really surprised with the speed for the same effort as the mountain bike. I kept shifting hand postions on the bar. I really dont like the drop position when I am going downhill. It was scary fast for me. Maybe I will get more comfortable in time. Overall, amazing experience! Cant wait to take it on a paved trail.
Tried the road bike briefly, just made me all the more sure that I prefer the MTB for all around riding. Maybe a little heavier and slower but much more comfortable.
I just made the switch from a flat bar to a drop bar. Still getting used to the braking; especially when riding on the hoods. I feel like i have to press really hard just to activate the brakes. The bike seems to go just a little bit faster probably due to my new found riding position. On the flats it was hard for me to bend low and get more aero, but on the drop bar it just seems more smooth/natural to bend lower.
The comparison feels like comparing HULK with BRUCE LEE .But just the kind of video I wanted , I am about to make a switch from MTB to ROAD, this video is of a great help.
I like the versatility of a Mt Bike. I can ride it on pavement, gravel, or rocky dirt trails. I also feel that a Mt Bike requires greater handling skills because of the obstacles you deal with riding a trail. At least I need to always concentrate while riding a Mt. Bike off road. However, I love riding my road bike. The handle bars offer me multiple positions which helps reduce fatigue in my back, hands, and arms. The bike is much lighter and lighter feeling. It seems so much more responsive to any inputs, steering or pedaling. The road bike allows me to go faster and on much longer rides; 50 miles on a road bike is nothing.I believe a Mt Bike is more of a mental work-out; while a road bike is more of a physical workout.
I started off on road, then went to MTB . . . now I have both and switch as to how I feel. Very good video and not biased.
6:26 Funny how he explains that, but it's true
If you use a more street biased tire on an MTB, it sounds the same as a road bike.
I did the reverse, I just recently bought a mountain bike when i already have 2 road bikes. My road bikes consist of a light-weight + carbon wheels Giant for speed; and a "heavier" Specialized with disc brakes for longer and slower rides. I live in the city and don't venture off-road but i reckon a MTB would be a good change when using it as a casual commuter bike or on occasional trips to the beach with less than perfect terrain - an entry-level $600 10-speed Giant ATX. I actually came from a GT MTB when i was much younger and only went the road bike route when i got back into the hobby last year.
@Steve King I would think a road bike is more suitable if you live in the city and most of your rides are on roads, which is my case. But i do like the option of being able to ride down urban stairs (not too steep of course) or the occasional off-road terrain - parks with cobblestone trails and sandy beaches, which are occasional rather than the norm. I don't know anything about gravel bikes but I've seen many bike mags/reviewers saying "All you need is a gravel bike". As for MTBs, I do have to get used to its weight, as I bought an entry-level aluminum one so its close to 14kg. Its not built for speed or agility when compared to your road bike definitely, but its definitely more versatile if you mainly ride on rough terrain. Don't spend too much on a second "supplementary" MTB if you live in a modern urban/city environment. I use my MTB mainly for commutes and errands while my road bike i use for early morning exercise (>2 hour rides). I have more accessories on my road bikes though - high-power lights, bike computer and a Gopro camera. The added weight is less of an issue as my road bikes are 8-9kg compared to the heft of the 14kg MTB. You should consider a gravel bike as a nice compromise.
ive ridden mountain bike for around 10 years already, cant wait to switch in upcoming months and see the difference. I really hate when peoeple fith which is better mtb or road bike, its completely preference. one is not better than another its all about usage.
One is better than another one on the usage , that’s true right ? I hate people say both bikes are equally good for everything when they are not ;) last time I own a bike was 20 years ago , I am googling just because I want a bike to commute and easy to ride . After reading all the comments , seems like mountain bike is better for me .
Probably worth mentioning the potential for toe overlap due to the narrow wheel base that caught me by surprise
My question is why is it that road bikes are more expensive than mountain bikes,that doesn't make sense being that mountain bikes have a lot more parts.
many years ago i switched to mountain bikes as i didn't find it pleasent, 99% of roadies i met seemed like snobs, i went to mtb and never looked back!
lol, I reckon road cyclists are all like "hey look at me" while mtb cyclists are all like "wow look at this trail"
@@okidoke4822 Mtbers are too busy figuring out trail lines to bother being vain
I have two vintage road bikes, so the road bikers look down on me too. I mean, both of my road bikes have 27" wheels, rim brakes, and-wait for it-downtube shifters! Who WOULDN'T look down on such ancient, low tech bikes? However, no modern road bikes have the frame geometry, ride, and character of my vintage machines; you literally can't get any new road bike like mine. I've had guys offer to buy my old Marukin M-420, but she's not for sale; as long as I'm breathing, it'll be part of my stable. The same applies to my Cannondale ST500. I love my vintage road bikes... 😁😁
90% of the time i use my Mountain Bike on the road with the fork locked... However, i really like bike backpacking and exploring surrounded by trees on a gravel/dirt/rocky roads and it really compensates for the slower speed that i'm riding. Also i don't trust road bikes because they are lighter=less material=it's not so durable like a mountain bike. Also i think the design of a mountain bike is better with that fork, that huge cog on the cassette and larger tires. It's easier to maintain control, you have better brakes (Some road bikes have really good brakes but they are more expensive for the sake of weight).
P.S: Where is the other half of the fork?
Being someone who as only ridden mtb, just feeling how efficient, light and fast rolling road tires are by trying someone else's bikes makes me want to get one just for the occasional road ride
Sound effects are awesome!
WHERE IS THE OTHER HALF OF THE FORK!?
it's a Cannondale Lefty
I ride my hardtail mtb mostly on road. I have the forks locked and next imma gonna switch form knobbies to a thinner road biased tires. Maybe a carbon stiff fork next. Or should i just get a cyclocross and be done with it
new bike
I put a carbon fork/drop bar and road slicks on my hardtail and its great for the road. My gearing really helps too having a 48/11 gearing for good top speed.
andrewhtf same
I put Scwalbe Marathon Greenguard 28x1.75 on my mtb Superior XC 879 instead of knobby tyres, anything else I should change?
andrewhtf why don’t you just get a hybrid bike,by the time you have spent a lot of money that will be what you have converted your bike to,forgive me if I’m wrong.
Biggest difference I'd like to know is how much difference there is on hardpack trails between the two. I see a lot of roadies doing fast times and want to know if them being on Road bike Vs me on XC is going to make a big difference. I've never really rode a road bike so have no reference.
after more than 20 years mountain, I tried gravel. it fells so much difference. it much better fore fitness and really strength my legs, I can heartily reach 40 km/hr for gravel. I will try road bike soon and hope will have much more fun.
ive been riding a heavy mtb for years on the road, but this yr i bought a low end road bike (giant ocr4). although it was about 3kg lighter, i was not that impressed at first. seemed roughly the same in terms of speed, but found the handle bars awkward and the ride firm which it made my hands and arms sore, and the saddle was not very comfortable either. it was also awkward to steer around obstacles, and the brakes were almost non existent. i did around 500 miles on it, without using my mtb at all, and so became adjusted to it.
last week i went back to the mtb again, after some repairs, and it felt really slow and heavy and needed much more effort to cycle the same route. so i think its easier to spot the road bikes advantages when going back to the mtb, than the opposite way around (ie you notice extra effort needed easier than less effort). but also i think weight is more important factor than other aspects. a lighter mtb would likely also give roughly the same speed per effort advantage over my old mtb as the lighter road bike. you wouldnt have the aero advantage, but generally it would feel easier to pedal.
i still think, over-all, i prefer riding a mtb due to practicality and squishy comfort, and might just buy a lighter one. both types of bike are fun though, in different ways. but one thing is certain. if you want to get fit, ride a heavy bike. because a light bike will spoil you rotten. my fitness seems to have gone way off after riding the lighter bike! might be best to buy a really heavy bike, then fix a trailer to it, fill it with bricks and ride up the steepest hills you can find.
Overall a lighter MTB won't really make much difference on the road unless your doing a lot of climbing, most of what your fighting on the road is wind resistance due to the higher speeds, this is where narrower and drop bars are a big help as well as proper road cycling kit. I do think one thing road cycling will improve for mountain bikers is being more aware of your terrain as you can't just roll over things.
the difference for me is that an MTB over 30km/h is harder to pedal, but on a roadbike you can reach 40km/h with same effort
Brilliant video. I grew up riding hard tail mtb’s and rode them extensively as an adult. Having moved recently to Melbourne, Australia; I have placed an order for my first ever road bike. The 2018 Giant TCR Advanced 2 Disc.
Thanks for explaining all these differences..!! I used to MTB a few years ago and now thinking of switching to road bike but don’t know anything about it..
😬
I have exactly that same problem, very angry about it😂
I love all types of bikes but road bikes are just exhilarating and definitely my favorite to ride, they aren't versatile on terrain but the speed and simplicity are incredibly addictive. If you haven't ridden a road bike you are in for a shock at just how fast they move!
i like both mtb and rb. for the sure rb is faster on the road, but i don't think rb can go on the off road.....
I have bin wondering. I find a good fiting road bike having good comfort level as in very little discomfort. How would a cross bike compare. You said it was built for speed not comfort.
The traditional mtn bikes where much smaller. Why the sudden change to SuperTall mountain bikes ?_?
They're much more comfortable and look better too
i just did the swap from mtb to road and on my first rides im struggling with the riding position. have pain on the back of my neck and the outer side of my hands even though bike size is perfect
size is one thing fitment is another. Get your bike fitted to you. I learned the hard way.
Thanks for the great info. Learned a lot here, i just bought a road bike and will be delivered this Saturday...super excited!
road bikes are HARSH, your body/joints feel every single bump, and it gets tiring, even if they can travel faster, for city commute, a light frame, hardtail mtb with smooth hybrid tyres (shwalbe silento, city jet etc.) would be 'faster', as you can ride 'as the crow flies', without swerving or slowing down around potholes, rocks etc. IMO. for training though a road bike is essential. but not ideal for riding in the city, daily commute, for that i just have a 2nd set of wheels with hybrid tires that go on the hardtail :D
Alexandros Nicolaou yes it harsh, but i had some tips to do, when you encounter a speedbumps, potholes or any bad roads, just lift your ass from the saddle and relax your grip on handles, and also your bend a bit your legs as it acts like a spring, it will reduce the feel of the harshness. Oh uplevel your tires to bigger size and drop your tire pressure, mine originally use 23 size on 100psi now i use 28 on 85psi (since i'm 100kg guy), the bigger the tire it will absorb more any bumps on the road it will cause more drag or resistance but for me comforting your ride is more important, with this setup i just drop 2kph than using the 23c tyre
Alex Nicolaou get 35mm or wider tires.
Kamil Kashaf my commuting wheelset is 42mm rear and 38mm front. Smooth surface tyres, not knobby
Alex Nicolaou I have 38mm smooth tires on my touring bike. It's the best way to go imo. The extra width somewhat compensates for the loss of grip compared to thinner knobby tires. I would never ride anything under 35mm again.
Are you in Krakow by any chance?
nice comparison, I did it other way around, been riding road bike for 2 years, before then some hybrid bike or mtb with slicks on road. Now bought a used MTB and hiting local trails and marathons when the weather gets colder and windy on the road
Ive been riding MTB XC for years, decent distance, about 60 plus. I started riding with roadies and felt like I should join the club and I was ready to feel the super speed you guys have been talking about but road bikes feel like torture when it comes to comfort. Is it me or what? Road bikes are really hard and stiff and I don’t feel that they are much faster than my MTB XC bike. Any tips?
Maybe you bought wrong size bike. It has to be comfortable, but in a much different way than the mtb. And yes, road bikes are faster with the same effort than mtb. I have both, the difference is great in terms of speed. But my fitness level is the same on both bikes. Speed isnt a good measuring value
Stick to your MTB 😉
@@justinfreesoul6366 I’m use to road now, we should ride so I can drop you like a hot 🥔! 🤣😂
I have a flat bar road bike and flat pedals it's a really good bike. It Doesn't appeal to me having drop handle bars and needing special shoes to be clipped in.
Ngamer834 i just changed my flat bar to drop bar and I'm still getting used to it. But I'm starting to love it.
I road a mtn bike 15 miles today for the first time in 6 years. Felt heavy, snow, and a lot of drag. Though it handled the forest section mighty well and road imperfections with the front shocks and rear shocks. Curious how a road bike feels 🤔
Like ridings a bike thru a feald of speed bumps
Excellent summary at the end... Zzzzzooom vs Piuooong.
As always, another quality video of excellent info and advice.
Thanks SickBiker.
One only needs 1 bike and that would be a mountain bike. Why? It’s more versatile and comfortable than a road bike.
I live in a hilly city with bad roads. If it's not a mountain bike you're riding you'll bend your rims in no time.
its not exactly the point of the video...road bikes are like different sport its like saying you dont need to play basket when you can play handball...its doesnt make any sense, road bikes are good for training, fast and enjoyable to ride. Nobody said they are the more versatile. Its your opinion to have 1 bike...I would like to have 3 - road, enduro and travel (probably gravel with bags).
H Z ... Sure. Nothing wrong to have an SUV, a sedan, a coupe, a station wagon, a van, an RV, a jeep, a limo, a super car, etc. They all have their own use therefore all of us got to have them all 👍🏻
H Z not everyone is bike enthusiast like you, I am googling bike is just because I want to buy a bike to commute , and only realized there is something call road bike or mountain bike . And I don’t really care about the 80km per hour speed .... So is that really true for people like me , mountain bike is the best choice ? Comfort , easy to ride , can easy go over 25 km per hour . I think the RUclipsr love road bike a lot, but most people who doesn’t know the different between mountain bike and road bike (like me), they are pure beginner , and most likely they just want to buy a bike to commute , not because of hobby
@@muyguapo5886 Hardtail or cross bike should be the best for you. On hardtail you can go easily to woods or on really bad route but on cross bike you will be faster in city because the geometry is closer to road bike and it has bigger gears and better tires for road....(sometimes they call them tour bikes)
I just want a bike for me to go to work , 10km one way, so return is 20km. So should I get a road bike or mountain bike , I only want one bike not two bikes. Road bike looks super uncomfortable to ride, and especially I have a backpack for my laptop. For me comfortable, easy to ride , good enough speed is the key . I am not a racer , as long as it go above 25km per hour then I am happy
kenneth lam get a hybrid bike
Road bike is faster, mountain bike is easier to handle at first (road bike can feel quit dangerous at first, but you should try that yourself, everyone feels different) and more comfortable with backpack (you are in more straighten up position). Try both in shop and you will see, people use both types for commuting. Also depends on the price range - you will get a better road bike in the same price range.
If you don´t want to invest much, go with road bike or rigid mtb with no suspension (for commuting, I would recommend rigid fork also - you will safe lots of trouble with cheap suspension forks and a lot of weight). But in lower prices you will get much lighter (and faster) road bike than mountain bike.
For me personally, road bike is speed over comfort. Mtb is comfort over speed. If you commute only through a city, I wouldn´t think a second and buy a mtb bike, preferably with rigid fork. If you commute on road where you don´t have to stop on lights every 200m, and you want to be a bit faster, think about a road bike. The time difference on the 10kms could be about 4-5minutes and it will be less of a exercise.
Honza Kobřík someone already suggested me to get a hybrid bike
@@muyguapo5886 That can also be a choice, but it´s a bit on the heavier size. But there is really no bike (type) that fits all, go to a bike shop, try ride all the bike types and you will see on which you feel the most comfortable. MTB, hybrid and road all feel very different, you can´t advice anyone remotely, you have to try it and see. If you are a total beginner, the feeling on the bike (if you feel in control, safe) is the most important thing, much more important if one is faster than the other.
Honza Kobřík I tried it, road bike feel the worst for me. The postures to ride the bike is not very comfy
i love looking that MERIDA.... that two bike is not TOO TIRED so they can stand alone w/o stand, i don't see any :) by the way i'm planning to buy ROAD BIKE, I will use it when i go home to the province , thanks for posting this video.. from Philippines.
700c & 29er rims have the same diameter (not "roughly" as stated). The difference is in the width
XC MTB + WTB Thickslicks 👍- that is if you're not doing any trail or down hill.
Its that why i feel my MTB so heavy ?? Im riding MTB for work daily by the way... thx for sharing,im from Indonesia..
isn't it obvious? the fat tire, small crank and huge ass sprocket?
Yes most cycles sold here in India are also MTB. Roads have improved in the past few years so it should be more efficient to buy road cycle
@@fwefhwe4232 im looking to buy a bike
leaning to roadbike ( suncross racerstar 2019 ) .. my friends have mtbs
@@jithujoseph3276 definitely go with road bike ( if your city has decent roads). You can look for regular handlebars instead of aero ones.
@@fwefhwe4232 or we can go with hybrid bikes
I went the other way; I started on a road bike, then got an MTB to go with it. I like BOTH! Depending on my mood, I can scratch multiple itches... 😁😁
As for tires, one can get multiple MTB tires that are biased for the street. In stock form, then yes, the MTB's tires will make noise and feel strange. You don't have to let that be a determining factor as to which type of bike you choose, as you can easily change the tires on the MTB to something better suited for the street.
Also, WRT tire pressures, that's not the only determinant of ride quality and characteristics; tire construction is. I saw this with my road bikes. I have a Marukin M-420 with a 025 Ishiwata Chromoly frame fitted with Panaracer Pasela Protite tires; the Protite offers extra puncture protection, but the ride is a bit stiffer. OTOH, my Cannondale ST500, which has an aluminum frame, is fitted with the regular Panaracer Paselas; these don't have the extra puncture protection. Even though it has an Al frame, the Cannondale rides as well, if not better than, the Marukin, even though it has a stiffer frame. What's the difference? The tire construction.
On my MTB, I have Continental Contact Plus City tires fitted. I wanted the old Town & Country tires, as I mostly ride on the street, but they're no longer made; my LBS recommended the Contact Plus City tires, as they're the most similar to the old T&Cs. The Conti Contact Plus City tires are ebike rated to 50 kmh, and they have lots of puncture protection; i.e. they're robustly constructed. What does that mean? When I squeeze them and the road bike tires, there isn't much difference in feel; even though there's 30 psi difference between their operating pressures, they feel the same. These tires also feel about as rough as the road bike tires when going over bumps. SO! Tire construction plays a huge role in terms of ride quality.
Not everyone is dutch ;)
This is amurica, they way more limited there.
Here we got freaking everything you can think off in bike terms.
@@Tarzan1972 we have an abundance of choice in the US, yes. However, Holland is a modern, First World country located near Germany, home of Continental Tires. At the very least, I would think that a Dutch LBS would be able to order whatever tire is needed.
Wanted to get a road bike but would rather hit a tree than get hit by a car.
Martha Hunt lol no, just choose a designated route for road bikes; do not try those silly fixies with no brakes
Petru B. Where I live the bike lanes suddenly end. Not safe.
I'd rather not hit either one. Being aware of your surroundings and picking little used roads and/or roads with good shoulders are part of riding a bike, and really not that difficult in my experience. Though it does depend on where you live, I hope you get used to riding on road or paved trails and experience the joy of riding a road bike.
urban/commuting requires a new set of skills, 90% of which is just situational awareness and prediction. It is very different from riding a trail where tunnel vision is almost an advantage, training your mind two watch and identify hazards from out of the side of your sight takes some time, but once you get the habit riding in traffic becomes much safer and less stressful. It does require any special natural talent, just time and understanding.
There are places with zero infrastructure where it is just unsafe, so it is best to drive the route ahead of time to scout it out also, if you are in a higher population area checking strava "heat maps" may give really valuable hints as well.
In terms of just road biking, odds are that fantastic roads are much closer than trail heads and as a road rider that advantage of starting/finishing a ride from my garage is massive! Taking away a specific destination in an urban area changes just about everything in terms of skills, it is very different from commuting/urban riding and yes many roadies are just as terrified (and SKETCHY especially riders on TT bikes) of population centers as mountain riders.
I'm biased, but if i had to get rid of a bike my mountain bike would be the first to go, man technical trails are scary as hell!
Some tips; Ride like you are invisible, relax and watch your entire field of vision, have an escape route and cover your brakes, be visible through both clothing and road position, follow rules of the road, don't just look at a car, look at the driver and wheels. Drivers only see what they expect and will stare right at you without SEEING YOU, you are invisible always.
Love that last bit whooshh and pthwhooshhh
I'm a rodie but looking into getting an mtb where do I start?
I started with a hardtail with decent groupset, 27.5 wheels, lockout on front shock so it isn't so heavy to ride on asphalt. www.trailforks.com/ Find trails near you and ride em. Really fun to discover areas near you you might not even known about. I would also add you should get a shockpump that does at least 200 psi. A normal floorpump doesn't work.
And maybe shock oil if you want to service it yourself. Sram/Rockshox recommends service of fork every 50 hours of riding. Then theres always the protection, like knee and elbow protection. Definitely wear a helmet. I hit my head 2 times in 2 weeks. At low speed thankfully and on grass/mud. Same with my knees.
I use flat pedals on mine, even tho I use exclusively clipless on my roadbike. It's just safer. I can jump off my bike any time and I don't get the bike over me if I was clipped in.
Hardtail with flat pedals. Fireroads, learn how to climb steep hills with loose terrain, bunny hops and dont be afraid of mud :)
Now saying that I I'm 40+ I used to mtb 22 years ago and bmx too I can bunny hop my road bike so I'm sure I can do that :-) o and 22 years ago shocks hardly existed on bike bar pro bikes lol
I hate road bikes with traditional brakes. How are you going to stop at high speed? And it sucks to drive with cars and motorbikes around because you are slowest and have highest chance of dying in road accidents. Just the traffic puts me off from road bike.
Gravel is ok
Good point +SickBiker! I used to be a roadie and used to race Time Trials but I made a switch and really enjoying Enduro Mountain biking so a mtn bike and a CX bike are my arsenal ever since.
What's with the MTB's fork?
Is that safe?
Cannondale's specialty. It's called a lefty fork, geniusly engineered by the people at Cannondale. Search it up! Pretty interesting indeed. And yeah, it's 100% safe.
All cars and airplanes use a single stub axle. It's also pretty cool. It's just as safe as any other fork. Just different on a bike. But cool!
I do up to 54 km/h on an MTB, I’m truly curious to know how much faster I can go on a road bike.
I can do 120 km/h on average with my road bike on the highest gear. (Front chainring 50T, Rear cassette 11T)
@@lakshannv
My XC MTB has a 42 chainring 12 tooth cassette and I got to 54 km/h (using my phone cycling app). I’m also very strong so I’m not doubtful I can do 80 km/h. That’s the highest I’ve seen anyone do. Otherwise, your 120 km/h is almost for fact fake. Use a proper app and you’ll probably find out you’re doing 60 tops.
@@kiuk_kiks you'd be surprised.. I'm a high cadence rider myself. Like you, I too wanted to see the max speed my bike could handle. 120kmh was on a fairly steep downhill with the highest pedaling rpm I could push. Of course I cannot sustain that speed on a flat road. I was just mentioning the top speed I could get out of my road bike. Isn't that what you said you were curious about?
54kmh on flat road? How much can you ride at that speed?
I twice did 47kmh iin the hardest gear 3front 10 back(3-10) but only for a few seconds.. It s just impossible for me to do more its too hard(tires maxxis hookworm 2.5 body weight 110kg) and I am riding more than 10years.. How can I achieve your speed
@@najrobiksvomid9048
I started off going downhill then the road flattens out. I was also not completely fresh because it was after a long shift at work and I’d burned out riding at full pace for 4 minutes prior to that. My goal is to get a 48 tooth chainring and a 11 tooth cassette and try the same route. I’m sure I can do nearly 70 km/h if the wind is just right. I always struggled to get a really high cadence because I was already exhausted from working an 8 hour shift on my feet and cycling to work all on an empty stomach.
i ride mtb on city streets my strava says 22.5 km/h with a top speed of 71.7km/h with a moving time/elapse time of 2:44:11 on a marlin 5 with stock gearing 3x7 is this ok ? ive been pondering of saving for either a gravel or road bike
For 3 years, I averaged 19-23mph on my Giant 29er with slicks/touring tires on a 2x10 drivetrain used only pavement/city roads. Tho, I did switch to a Fuji roadie I bought off Craiglist. It's just makes a world of difference!
Top speed is meaningless. Strava often gets ridiculous top speeds due to inaccurate gps signal. With a road bike you would average over 25 kph for the same effort.
I am riding a budget road bike for 6 months. It has all Claris components.
The most anoying think I felt difficult is to be used to the size of the bike. On the MTB, you can turn you handlebar all the way you want. But on the road, you need to pay attention or your feet will touch on the front wheel. It can be a crash.
On the beginning I felt uncomfortable with the levers. Too difficult to be used to it. Now I think that's is normal.
I do not like the brakes. Hydraulic brakes are much better than the claris one.
Comfort I am still adjusting. Changed the original saddle. It helped. Next step is change the tires from 700x23 to 700x25 to help on the comfort.
In general I liked. The bike is faster then the MTB.
Another big difference is the gear ratio. On the road is much heavier. We have a lot of high climbs here. Using a 34x28 or 34x30 is difficult for beginners. Need to pay attention to it too when chose a cassete.
Six months later I want to change the claris groupset to something with more gears. Maybe is better change the bike itself. Another budget 11v bike is the betwin 540.
The "feet touching the front wheel" Is this true of All Road Bikes? I haven't chosen a road bike yet, and I don't like riding below 44-42 ring so I guess I would want that for my middle ring and disc brakes I can't imagine going back.
endemic eden I think that on all road bikes you may touch the front wheel with your feet. But it only occours if you turn a lot your handlebar. Like making a maneuver.
endemic eden only if the bike is a 54 or smaller (normally, there may be newer bikes where the geometry makes you toeoverlap even in bigger sizes and viceversa).
endemic eden plus that's not a problem as you don't turn the wheel enough to hit while riding. Maybe while trackstanding, but most i get is a good rub on the shoe, never made me fall.
Matheus Lopes 42-22 is the lower i can get on my road bike, a 1991 reynolds frame with aero fork, 12 speeds. 9kg bike. What you need is to find a good climbing position, normally use the top of the handlebars, that way you get your weight on the back wheel, making it easy to "wobble the bike" (it helps climbing) and breathing. Good brakes are a must have, but thats all in the shoe and the skill of ajusting it. I have a pair of modolos from the 80's, with some newer cheap-o 5bucks shoes in the back and some old ones on front, it works as a charm, just keep them clean. Lots of modulation from low speed to high ( i live in a hilly area of portugal, it's normal to pass the 100kmh on descents).
road bike was easier... my Mtb average speed when i used it on tarmac was 25kmh but on the road bike... man i got 35kmh average speed both 2hrs
If you go from mtb to road bike, you will feel harder to climb on it but you are going faster, real problem it's the completly different possition that you get generally you will feel a super longer reach and a different pedal motion
Ive been riding road for many year and a few years back decided to give MTB a try. I purchased a hardtail 29er but only rode it like 3 times, just felt too spongy and soft and slow. I did give it a try tho...
Because it's a 29er hardtail
I would like to ask for your recommendation. I would like to ride on a leisurely bike on the road and be slightly cramped on the sandy, rocky and slightly undulating home of the house. so is it suitable to buy a premiere 4 (mtb) or hybrid bike. Thx bro
How about pedaling? I noticed the number of teeth on mtb vs road is very different. From what i can tell looks harder to pedal. Is this the case?
Depends if you decide to go clipless or flats as clipless will provide smoother and more efficient pedaling as you can pull up on the pedal whereas flats restrict that efficiency but it doesn't require any sort of cleats
I'm out of shape and trying to get fit, I never liked running or jogging but always loved bike riding. What would be better for a beginner just trying to get in shape?
Marcellus whatever you like doing the most, just getting active and having a semi-decent diet will make you fit in no time
I suggest renting a road bike and a mtb from a bike shop and seeing which one you like better.
Test them out, see what you like. I'd recommend a hybrid bike which is pretty much a mountain bike with street tires. It's comfortable, it can take some abuse but it doesn't have those chunky offroad tires that slow you down on tarmac.
For a beginner, definitely a hybrid. Preferably one with a rigid fork. You'll get the exercise you need and will be able to enjoy venturing off-road. MTB isn't the best for building a physique as it's considerably more demanding to just keep it moving, and road limits you to tarmac.
Whichever you’re most likely to do
what about breaking with road bike in case of an emergency
Hyper car vs SUV....
that half fork is freakin me out lol.. but its kinda cool
retarded design. I tried it, it pulls to the left when you take your hands off.
It's a lefty, actually a very good design and well engineered.
I-Am-Roginator lol Im sure it is.. just bugs me out because Im not use to it
Nicely explained, but an MTB with narrower tires and slicks the gap remains so great on the road?
Yes.. On the flats mostly. Uphill will be less.. Down hill ... It depends but if the road is nice the road bike gust glides. Also has the gears for that. 53-11 is huge gear.
Hello, modern times came and I am comparing my e-bike (full suspension 20 kg monster) to lightweight gravel, major reason I want more exercise and different experience. Also I wanted to have a kind of project for sub 9kg bike which is impossible with mountain setup. I cannot tell if it is better but is different and I feel planted to the road and faster on descends and even roads, on the climbs well it is harder but I think after a while it will improve. For now I keep the two bikes.
Love this... thank you... YOUR SO RIGHT I HAVE 2 ROAD BIKES AND A 29ER...THIS HELPS SOO MUCH IN MY TRAINING, GREAT ENDURANCE, STAMINA, AND GREAT EFFICIENT PEDALLING.. IVE GOTTEN BETTER ON MY CADENCE...THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS GREAT CONTENT..👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼💪💪💪💪
i see mtb user bike 16kg, put road bike for bake, but not a ocasional mtb user, 15 years mtb user
and not a bone and skin, just 80kg more bike 16kg = 96kg set kkk
on road bike the power make back wheel turn in 8 kkk
It's hard for me to trust road bikes again
It's punctures all the time here
Buy some good tires, conti or schwalbe with some sort of puncture resistence
@@teopapadopol5034 I've changed 6 bicycles since i made this comment & yeah quality tires are much better
I use to ride mtb but got a road bike. The road bike feels so fast! Super lightweight and smooth on the road.
Ill be doing the switch in a couple of months, so Im looking at road bikes, any suggestions with shimano 105 or the equivalent of another brand?
larry david allez sprint or elite, imo the sprint its better, also for climbing, but it depends on how much you want to spend
I got drop bar ends(with hoods and drops, situated them closer to the middle and wrapped them) and road slicks for my hardtail MTB, locked the front suspension and it feels pretty damn close to my old road bike.
@Montañero Paisa It's night and day, when I switch to road slicks it was a much faster and smoother ride on asphalt. As for adding drop bars, you will be a little more aerodynamic which helps with air resistance. I can't speak much for back problems, all I can say is that keeping a sturdy posture is important also you might want to look into a suspension seat post to help reduce impact stress on your lower back.
can i ask question sir?
Thank you, this is useful comparison info! I visited several bike dealers but got so much more info from this video.
Both! BOTH Both!! Damn straight, why not add a BMX too
And a CX...
Since I got tromatized using my downhill bike (I almost fell off the cliff) I'm planing to switch to road bike.
Thank you grammar police!
That is not grammar issue, it is the spelling that he was correcting.
irony
Are there any benefits from training point of view if you ride MTB trying to keep the roadies pace on long distance?
Frankbon Yap. Can speak from my own experience, it does.
what do you mean with roadies pace? if I overtake roadies with a MTB did I ride their pace then? ;) I would say ride your own pace and try to improve it by riding just a little bit over your level of comfort...
a mountain bike is a lot slower than a road bike, so what I mean is if you do a long distance ride on a mountain bike but try to keep speed with a group of roadies, would be a higher effort I think. I have a 2x11 road bike and a 1x12 mountain bike I can certainly notice the different on effort when I go out with the road group on the road bike vs when I take my mountain bike and try to keep the speed with them
My dad has a Roadbike. First time i use it on the street. I was racing a pickup truck 😂 then i went to the park. I pop the tire 😅 then he got it fix then i pop it again of course 😂. I learn that my style is too agrrsive 😅 needed to tone it down for sure on a roadbike 😊
MTB is like you driving a RAM...
Race/Road bike is like you flying in a rocket.
ooh thanks for your explanation ..its makes me want to buy roadbike ..
The video also make me want to buy a road bike too, but after reading comments .... seems like mountain bike is better for me ... since I only need a bike to commute To work , and it snow a lot in the winter time ....
Never tried a roadbike before. They say it's a lot faster. I'm riding a mtb in the road just maintaining 20kph average by only using the highest gear possible because my shifter is broken so maybe riding a roadbike will probably feel like flying to me if I use the same power when I'm riding the mtb.
20kph is very basic speed to keep up! I'v seen some guys riding at 25-30kph on a mtb for long distances like 100km. Road bike is easier to keep up the speed. It takes less effort to keep up 30kph compared to mtb. Suppose that it takes 250 watts to keep 30kph in mtb. But, on a road bike it takes 150-170watts to keep up 30 kph on flat roads! So if you can keep up 25kph on a mtb then keeping up 30-35kph on a road bike will be a lot easier and you can ride whole day with that speed!
@@nafeesnamedit
I do up to 54 km/h on an MTB, I’m truly curious to know how much faster I can go on a road bike.
I'm like a Sunday rider and when I changed my cross bike with road+ bike with 32mm tires I was like "woah, it can be that easier?". I know it's not much but going from 21 to 24 on average with less effort made me like cycling again. I was riding to smoke pot in nice places before but I quit but Marin Gestalt made me going out for a ride every other day just for a fun of riding it.
Interesting video, I have been cycling for about 25 years my current bike is a pretty heavy hard tail which hasn't seen a dirt track in about 2 years and I am starting to want a road bike my biggest concern is how the narrow tyres will cope on our pot holed and cobbled roads.
I had my polygon helios c5 on a mtb trail, held up well, although not as fast and rough as I want to. Many Road bikes are more trail worthy than most of those wannabe mtb walmart bikes
i can only concur .. go for it!
at first it the it feels like a scary rocket powered broomstick on ice skates, but it will grow on you fast *lol*, if you dont routinely go off road. even if you go cheap at first, you'll have a hard time to find a remotely shitty road bike. (cheap, crappy fixies are another thing)
Chris my roadbike can handle 32mm tires but I stick with 30 thicker dish whheeel.
I've never riden a road bike. Have a GT Compe (BMX) & a Scott Aspect 940 (Sport MTB). Used them both for commuting & use the 940 for my do it all, road & trails. I've thought about getting a road bike & I want one but it'll be a cyclocross bike. I can't stay off the trails if I'm near one.