Hello All,
Can anyone give me a rough estimation of how much time might be saved using a low priced racing style bicycle compared to a mountain bike over a distance of 10 miles (on tarmac roads)? The journey to work currently takes me 50-55 mins on a MB.
Thanks
Racing vs MB
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bikerdave
Re:Racing vs MB
Hi Matt
I do a 7mile undulating commute with no big hills but plenty of traffic lights and junctions as i go through a city centre.
On my mountain bike with road tyres i could manage 25-30 mins going and 40ish return, say 68 mins a day average.
I'm now averaging 48 mins a day on a good touring road bike, 30% quicker.
If you're 55m now 30% quicker would be 38 mins or so a saving of 17 mins each way!
dave
I do a 7mile undulating commute with no big hills but plenty of traffic lights and junctions as i go through a city centre.
On my mountain bike with road tyres i could manage 25-30 mins going and 40ish return, say 68 mins a day average.
I'm now averaging 48 mins a day on a good touring road bike, 30% quicker.
If you're 55m now 30% quicker would be 38 mins or so a saving of 17 mins each way!
dave
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gar
Re:Racing vs MB
I've been using both types of tyre on my recumbent trike for a year now, and I can now do 5miles in about 40minutes whereas to start off with it was taking about an hour; now I do 10miles on my odo and it takes about 1hr.10mins. 1/3 as fast again.
It would be interesting to fit a small odometer/speedo (only one bike) and compare the different results with mountain bike tyres and racing tyres.
With two bikes that would not be practical.
g
It would be interesting to fit a small odometer/speedo (only one bike) and compare the different results with mountain bike tyres and racing tyres.
With two bikes that would not be practical.
g
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redrover
Re:Racing vs MB
My daily commute is 9 miles of urban assault course.It used to take 45 mins on a mountain bike with off-road tyres.I changed to slicks and my times went down to about 35 mins on a good day(usually a Monday).
I now use a racer type bike with very narrow tyres and gears on the brake levers and my best time is 28 mins.
I use the bike from when the clocks go forward to when they go back,so I'm approaching the middle of my "peak" of fitness.Who knows ? my times might improve (I treat the journey in as a bit of a time trial),but the bottom line is a racer is significantly quicker than an MTB.
I now use a racer type bike with very narrow tyres and gears on the brake levers and my best time is 28 mins.
I use the bike from when the clocks go forward to when they go back,so I'm approaching the middle of my "peak" of fitness.Who knows ? my times might improve (I treat the journey in as a bit of a time trial),but the bottom line is a racer is significantly quicker than an MTB.
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Matt1982
Re:Racing vs MB
Wow, I would be satisfied with anything around 45 minutes. Since my tyres are quite worn anyway I expect I will change to slicks and see what difference it makes. At the moment, no matter how hard I try I just cant break that 50 minute barrier.
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Anthony
Re:Racing vs MB
I'd just back up the opinion of others on this subject - you'll save tons of time.
I personally think that the reason many people do not cycle commute is because of their experience of cycling is using a heavy cheap mountain bike badly set-up with under-inflated chunky tyres, with their legs spinning around at 120 rpm knees hitting their chin while going at 5mph.
I wouldn't get a racer; get a tourer like the Revolution Country 05 or perhaps a Dawes Horizon.
http://www.edinburgh-bicycle.co.uk/catalogue/detail.cfm?ID=20811
Put your stuff in some cheap paniers, rather than a rucksack on your back.
I personally think that the reason many people do not cycle commute is because of their experience of cycling is using a heavy cheap mountain bike badly set-up with under-inflated chunky tyres, with their legs spinning around at 120 rpm knees hitting their chin while going at 5mph.
I wouldn't get a racer; get a tourer like the Revolution Country 05 or perhaps a Dawes Horizon.
http://www.edinburgh-bicycle.co.uk/catalogue/detail.cfm?ID=20811
Put your stuff in some cheap paniers, rather than a rucksack on your back.
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crs1953
Re:Racing vs MB
I would echo all previous replies too, MB's are really not the best choice for someone who's main cycling activity is a commute to work. They're geared for off-road use in the main and I'd advise you to get a tourer - you can pick up one that is more than adequate for a very reasonable price.
My urban commute to work is a mere 2.8 miles which I once managed in 12 minutes but usually takes me 14 - 15 with a couple of traffic jam spots. I dont 'race' - just go at it steadily
All the best
Colin
My urban commute to work is a mere 2.8 miles which I once managed in 12 minutes but usually takes me 14 - 15 with a couple of traffic jam spots. I dont 'race' - just go at it steadily
All the best
Colin
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bikerdave
Re:Racing vs MB
Roadrunner i don't mean to be offensive but your reply is totally wrong and misleading. The tyres you describe need thinner rims than most MB's so the expense is considerable as you really need two new wheels.
Even then you have only dealt with rolling resistance, MBs are much heavier and may well have suspension absorbing some pedalling effort into useless up and down motion. Then there's poor aerodynamics and too many low gears to consider.
Did you spot any slick tyred MBs in the tour de france recently? I rest my case!
dave
Even then you have only dealt with rolling resistance, MBs are much heavier and may well have suspension absorbing some pedalling effort into useless up and down motion. Then there's poor aerodynamics and too many low gears to consider.
Did you spot any slick tyred MBs in the tour de france recently? I rest my case!
dave
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Andy Tallis
Re:Racing vs MB
Racer/tourer beats MTB hands down for just about any commuting on road. Lighter, safer (knobblies don't grip tarmac well), easier to fit rack & mudgaurds (with tourer not racer), and more aerodynamic with drop bars (which fit through narrow gaps more easily.)
The problem is that mountain bikes are trendy. The default bike.
The problem is that mountain bikes are trendy. The default bike.
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ChrisO
Re:Racing vs MB
I went with a mountain bike - or an "urban" bike as Trek call it - with 26x1.35" slick tyres and front suspension as a compromise between time and comfort.
I commute 12 miles each way in London and there are long stretches of road which are hardly any different to single track. Drains, potholes, bad repairs and cracks.
My fear was that a racer/touring bike would be too prone to damage from bad bumps and also shake me about too much.
What I lose in straight-line-smooth-surface time I reckon I make up by not having to pick my way around the lumps and bumps.
My 12 miles by the way takes about 50 mins, quite a bit of it behind buses and waiting at lights.
I commute 12 miles each way in London and there are long stretches of road which are hardly any different to single track. Drains, potholes, bad repairs and cracks.
My fear was that a racer/touring bike would be too prone to damage from bad bumps and also shake me about too much.
What I lose in straight-line-smooth-surface time I reckon I make up by not having to pick my way around the lumps and bumps.
My 12 miles by the way takes about 50 mins, quite a bit of it behind buses and waiting at lights.
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bikerdave
Re:Racing vs MB
Roadrunner
"this would make your mtb as fast as any racer"- followed by -"we all know an alloy framed racer would beat easily any mtb".
Make your mind up which is it?
The object of my reply was to help Matt keep his interest in commuting and offer sound advice from experience. I think your rant about tyre/wheel sizes has totally missed the point of offering sound advice to commute more efficiently and enjoy the ride.
dave
"this would make your mtb as fast as any racer"- followed by -"we all know an alloy framed racer would beat easily any mtb".
Make your mind up which is it?
The object of my reply was to help Matt keep his interest in commuting and offer sound advice from experience. I think your rant about tyre/wheel sizes has totally missed the point of offering sound advice to commute more efficiently and enjoy the ride.
dave
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philw
Re:Racing vs MB
Um, it's not just about the tires though, is it.
How about frame geometry? What about those energy-abosrbing dual-suspension systems: whose energy are they absorbing? Then there's the weight of all those baroque frame designs, the unsuitablly wide ratios, the riding position, the bottom bracket height...
How about frame geometry? What about those energy-abosrbing dual-suspension systems: whose energy are they absorbing? Then there's the weight of all those baroque frame designs, the unsuitablly wide ratios, the riding position, the bottom bracket height...
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woodentop
Re:Racing vs MB
At the end of the day the choice is yours, there are pro's and con's to both. I commute 30 miles each way, twice a week using either my Bianchi EV2 road bike (no lights, mudguards or luggage) or a modded MTB for the purpose of commuting. The road bike is lighter, responsive and quicker, but only marginally so. My MTB, has no suspension and skinny tyres, weighs twice as much, has mudguards and carries more in the way of lights, bar bag,etc.
EV2 = 1hr 25 average
MTB = 1hr 30 average
As others have mentioned b4 a road bike goes into the wind easier, but a MTB can be fitted with bar ends to give you a flatter more out stretched position to enable you to cut through the wind easier.
EV2 = 1hr 25 average
MTB = 1hr 30 average
As others have mentioned b4 a road bike goes into the wind easier, but a MTB can be fitted with bar ends to give you a flatter more out stretched position to enable you to cut through the wind easier.
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philw
Re:Racing vs MB
Whatever; I guess the word "prove" means different things to different people.
How about riding a few time trials with your off-road machine, then ride a few more with a race machine. Or try the sick rock trail on a road bike.
They're different things, designed for different purposes.
How about riding a few time trials with your off-road machine, then ride a few more with a race machine. Or try the sick rock trail on a road bike.
They're different things, designed for different purposes.
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bikerdave
Re:Racing vs MB
Blimey roadrunner do you really ride road bikes off road and mtb's on road and not notice a difference?
I'll leave you to it but if you'll forgive me i'll continue to commute on my bob jackson tourer and go to moab on my santa cruz in october and feel confident i'm doing the best thing in both cases.
Would i be right in thinking you've returned to cycling after a long absence? Bike development has moved on while you took time out and your experiences relate to bikes no one rides anymore. Showing off your knowledge and insisting on an opinion on every subject doesn't neccesarily help anyone does it?
dave
I'll leave you to it but if you'll forgive me i'll continue to commute on my bob jackson tourer and go to moab on my santa cruz in october and feel confident i'm doing the best thing in both cases.
Would i be right in thinking you've returned to cycling after a long absence? Bike development has moved on while you took time out and your experiences relate to bikes no one rides anymore. Showing off your knowledge and insisting on an opinion on every subject doesn't neccesarily help anyone does it?
dave