Sounds like you need a CX bike tom 
Bike Forum
Is road biking REALLY a performance advantage for MTB...?
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Posted 11 months ago #
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for me, the pleasure of mountain biking is in riding interesting trails, and here, my speed is limited by my technical ability.
it's exercise, but the intensity is not high.
(i could go a little bit faster, but i'd crash a lot more)
for me the pleasure of road riding is in the sensation of speed, and yes, the exertion of a good climb.
i spend much more time near my limit; - i went out for a half hour spin on the road bike last night, and spent at least 15mins exploring every spare recess of lung capacity.
(mainly because i'm asthmatic, not very fit, i live somewhere hilly, and just about every hill is hard work)
Posted 11 months ago # -
Yeah I'm selling the road bike to go traveling soon anyway, when I get back I'll probably get a cx or light rigid 29er with slicks
Posted 11 months ago # -
A change from riding trails to roads helps keep to mind and mojo fresh
I agree with this, if you can find nice traffic-free road loops to ride. Road bikes barrel along and feel smooth, just rolling and rolling with far lower drag and instant response from the pedals. Great fun, head down, blasting about virtually deserted country roads around here.
Obviously it's not going to help with off-road technique, but I think all riding is good training for legs and lungs.
Posted 11 months ago # -
I can't get huffing and puffing on open roads, the pain overcomes me well before that point. I do on steep chossy MTB climbs tho.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Not read the entire post, but from a personal perspective:
It all depends upon the terrain and how you are using the road bike and your training regime.
As an incredibly simple rule of thumb (not an absolute) the following might help….
Cadence
If you only train high cadence with easy gears (prob more specific to turbo sessions than roads due to controlled environment…..unless you live in Milton Keynes) then no, your mtbing will not see massive improvements from a hill-climbing/power point of view. You will, however lose weight and improve your conditioning + your bodies memory to ‘feel’ what’s high which is very important when you introduce…….
Power
There are volumes on ‘the best’ way to train this but essentially, is the ability to turn a high resistance over a prolonged time and cadence does fit into it; you choose how to define these parameters. Clearly, too much power training will knock off your cadence (high cadence does save energy/the legs for the run phase of triathlons….but there’s lots to say on this).
When trained correctly, which I am not atm, high cadence and power training will take your MTBing into a new dimension + when you get back on the MTB those extra gears will feel like you are cheating
CAVEAT
The above is neither definitive, nor exhaustive. It is intended to shed some light on how to bring road biking into MTBing. I will say this, it doesn’t happen over-night and takes a HUGE amount of regular effort.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Hmmm. Not clear cut is it.
Also, Joe Friel says its important to rest over the "winter" period by doing something different (he recommends weights / swimming / aerobics)otherwise by May you're mentally and possibly physically exhausted by continual cycling.
Last year I used weights in the week and 1 MTB ride through the gloop at the weekend - more accidentally akin to Joe's recommndation than continual road riding...
Makes sense, and I guess he knows what he's talking about.....
Posted 11 months ago # -
Road biking will help you develop better heart and lungs. It also makes it easier to learn how to manage your energy levels over varying endurances. It will also develop certain muscles that you'll use in mountain biking but not all. For example, you'll be able to use your road developed muscle to climb consistently on a long, steady climb but mountain biking needs occasional bursts of power to overcome an obstacle that you just don't get to do on the road.
But, if your aim is to improve your mountain biking fitness (ignoring skills, which is a whole other area), I'd ride on road, off road, run, swim, lift weights and stretch. All will help.
Posted 11 months ago # -
I've read a lot of this now and as far as I can see, there's no way that fitness developed pushing such thin tyres can possibly translate to mountain biking. Think about it, if you were say, training to lift huge weights, there'd be no point in say, doing power cleans with 5kg dumb bells, but in essence that's what you're doing with road cycling. As soon as you get on a mountain bike, your feeble road leg muscles will struggle to cope with bigger, heavier tyres.
So, for example, although Chris Boardman would be good on a road bike, on a mountain bike, he'd likely struggle. In fact, I would suggest that an averagely fit mountain biker off road would still have an edge over even a very strong roadie, maybe even a Tour rider.
I'm not saying road cycling is rubbish, but don't expect any fitness benefit from it as regards your mountain biking. You are already mountain bike fit, chances are that riding a road bike will actually diminish your mountain bike fitness. That said, if you like the idea of riding on the road, that's what it's all about. Maybe fit some bigger, heavier tyres if you want real fitness benefits from it. HTH.
As regards the muscle thing, spot on, no way can a roadie climb off road. This requires specially developed muscle which only mountain biking can generate.
Posted 11 months ago # -
as far as I can see, there's no way that fitness developed pushing such thin tyres can possibly translate to mountain biking. Think about it, if you were say, training to lift huge weights, there'd be no point in say, doing power cleans with 5kg dumb bells, but in essence that's what you're doing with road cycling. As soon as you get on a mountain bike, your feeble road leg muscles will struggle to cope with bigger, heavier tyres.
I think you're talking a load of tosh tbh. Training on the road bike can target specific weaknesses in fitness, unlike riding a mountain bike. For example increasing your FTP if you train with a PowerTap. Sure, you need to keep your skills in check, but its the same fitness. You can spend a much better hour of training on the road than the mountain bike I would say.
In fact, I would suggest that an averagely fit mountain biker would still have an edge over even a very strong roadie, maybe even a Tour rider.
Really?? Think about what you're saying for a minute
.Yes you will get huge fitness gains from riding road, if you train smartly.
Posted 11 months ago # -
I've read a lot of this now and as far as I can see, there's no way that fitness developed pushing such thin tyres can possibly translate to mountain biking. Think about it, if you were say, training to lift huge weights, there'd be no point in say, doing power cleans with 5kg dumb bells, but in essence that's what you're doing with road cycling. As soon as you get on a mountain bike, your feeble road leg muscles will struggle to cope with bigger, heavier tyres
Poor troll.
There are a lot of folk on here who seem to be delusional about their fitness levels in comparison to roadies. I bet even an average road rider could leave you for dead on a MTB
Posted 11 months ago # -
Poor troll.
There are a lot of folk on here who seem to be delusional about their fitness levels in comparison to roadies. I bet even an average road rider could leave you for dead on a MTB
Absolutely.
Posted 11 months ago # -
+1
I tend to ride/train 2-3 times a week on the road bike (avg 100-150miles per week road with around 2500-3500m of climbing over the course of the 2-3 rides), and go for 2 MTB rides a week. Yes i am lucky to live in North Wales so have good MTB trails on my doorstep, along with nice roads with plenty of mountains to climb on the road also.
Does road biking help on descents on the mtb? No, skill and balls do
does it help on climbs (especialy long fore roads etc? Hell Yes
All the lads i know who combine both road and MTB are a lot faster than the lads who just MTB, so go figure.
Posted 11 months ago # -
chances are that riding a road bike will actually diminish your mountain bike fitness.
There's some funny stuff on this thread, but that's a cracker.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Just cutting through some of the murk here and kinda stating the obvious, surely the fitness benefits only come if you push yourself. IE poncing about for 50 miles won't really do anything unless you are prepared to push your fitness - right?
And, to answer my second question, how much MORE comfortable amI likely to be in the winter on a roadie? Or Not? If its going to stay in the shed as much as my MTB then maybe its not worth it (I'm talking "muddy trails" and damp days btw not snow and ice).
Posted 11 months ago # -
As long as it's got decent guards then it's a lot cleaner than a mtb, if not you still end up wet and covered in crap. I used a road bike a lot when I lived in York as there was no local interesting off road routes, since I left it's been out a couple of times as I'd rather hammer along the canal on my mtb if I just want a bit of exercise.
Infact just riding the mtb on the road is better exercise tham my road bike due to the much greater drag.
Posted 11 months ago # -
it's easy to find out. Buy yrself a road bike and ride it regularly...
Posted 11 months ago # -
IE poncing about for 50 miles won't really do anything unless you are prepared to push your fitness - right?
You can't just ponce around for 50 miles though - it'd take forever! If you're gonna do 50 miles, you'll do it quick, and hard.
Whether you'll use a road bike in winter or not is entirely up to you - some people love getting out in winter conditions, some people hate it - nobody can answer the question for you.
Posted 11 months ago # -
mtb is massively harder on you than road if you have the trails available, you do probably have good roads to ride on near you
Posted 11 months ago # -
Not sure I'm convinced;
a) If I ride hard on road it will improve my aerobic ability
b) More road than MTB will decrease my anerobic ability & technical skills
c) Going out in the winter is a psychology regardless of what type of bike/terrain you ride on
d) I'm not convinced that doing 1 of my 3 rides per week on a roadie is enough to achieve a) above anyway
e) I have to buy/maintain yet another bike/kit
f) Why not just lock out my fork and ride (on the road) to my trails 3 x per week and achieve both?Posted 11 months ago # -
I find it helps me but then my road bike weighs more than my FS, only has 10 gears and the brakes are so shonky even descending is a challenge.
Posted 11 months ago # -
From my point of view before got my road bike I was getting out about once a month - now I am out three/four times a week due to reasons stated elsewhere - soon as kids asleep I can get out, no driving to trails/loading up bike. Sure its not a s good as getting out on the trails but at least it means I am out getting some exercise and actually quite enjoy it - it helps living on the coast though!
Posted 11 months ago # -
I guess the only true answer is it depends.
it depends on what type of riding/training you are doing on the road bike. You can do endurance rides (base training), intervals, Hill sprints, anaerobic threshold sprints, Big gear climbs, Seated sprints, Out of saddle sprints and various durations of intervals which target different areas.
Basically there's a range workouts you can do which will improve various aspects of your fitness which will in turn improve your mtb riding (from a fitness perspective)
Posted 11 months ago # -
DezB - Member
'chances are that riding a road bike will actually diminish your mountain bike fitness.'There's some funny stuff on this thread, but that's a cracker.
Whoosh...
Posted 11 months ago # -
Of course taking loads of performance enhancing drugs will improve your speed/endurance. I have found out that it does not improve your bike handling skills one bit though. I went out with some roady MTBers and although they were fast on fireroad they were terrible at anything up down or at all technical. For instance they all got off and walked as there was a 25cm log lying on the trail. Great goings with them for fitness though.
But what about Chris Askrigg beating everybody on that hill climbing competition on a dirt bike? Does that mean we should all do trials to get fit?
Posted 11 months ago # -
depth-junkie - Member
Does road biking help on descents on the mtb? No, skill and balls do
I half disagree with that, I was a keen roadie from the age of around 14 and didn't start riding mountain bikes until my mid twenties when a load of my mates bought bikes to try and shift their burgeoning beer bellies.
Being used to descending on-road at well over 50mp, I was FAR faster than any of them downhill. Yes, you can put that down to balls/confidence, but IME, the most important "technique" in descending is maintaining and carrying speed.
Another point worth mentioning - and something I've really noticed recently after boosting my fitness with structured roadbike and turbo training - the fitter you are, the easier it is to ride with "good technique".
When you're swinging from side to side, labouring over every pedal-stroke, it doesn't matter if you're Danny MacAskill - you're going to struggle. The less effort and concentration you put into forward propulsion, the more energy and brain power you have to applying to however much technique you possess.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Infact just riding the mtb on the road is better exercise tham my road bike due to the much greater drag.
**** your tyres up though, and you don't have as high gears as a road bike.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Not sure I'm convinced;
a) If I ride hard on road it will improve my aerobic ability
b) More road than MTB will decrease my anerobic ability & technical skills
c) Going out in the winter is a psychology regardless of what type of bike/terrain you ride on
d) I'm not convinced that doing 1 of my 3 rides per week on a roadie is enough to achieve a) above anyway
e) I have to buy/maintain yet another bike/kit
f) Why not just lock out my fork and ride (on the road) to my trails 3 x per week and achieve both?A) It does if you plan your workouts and not fall into the trap of just going for a ride.
B)It won't decrease you anaerobic skills. People that say they can't get as tired on the road bike aren't doing very good workouts. Try 30 sec sprints with 30 sec recoverys :wink:.
C) True its a mental battle
D)You'll achieve something in the long run.
E) Your choice.
F) Could do but won't be getting a structured workout in, more of a warm-up and cool-down on the road. Unless its over an hour ride, but it still makes things messy.Posted 11 months ago # -
I have found out that it does not improve your bike handling skills one bit though. I went out with some roady MTBers and although they were fast on fireroad they were terrible at anything up down or at all technical. For instance they all got off and walked as there was a 25cm log lying on the trail. Great goings with them for fitness though.
I've been out riding with an elite xc racer, who I think does quite a bit of road too. He was riding a full carbon fibre bike that must have weighed about 5 grams or something. He seemed to go twice as fast as everyone else, and to be waiting at the bottom of all the downhills as well as the uphills. He also seemed happy to throw it off drops and over jumps and down near cliffs and land it like a feather, whilst keeping full speed up, where as most of us mere mortals were at least pausing to take a look and slowing right down for. I think the bike handling skills of really fit XC types are underrated, they probably aren't as good as some pro downhillers, but I reckon many of them are much more skilled than one might expect.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Wunundred!
Yes.
Posted 11 months ago # -
100 + and no reference to PERFORMANCE yet?
Posted 11 months ago # -
My background in cycling is from the dirt jump/bmx side of things. Im not afraid to launch doubles and hit the senders.
Over the past few years Ive done alot of road cycling as its awesome being able to ride from the front door. My fitness is now at a fairly obscene level and this, combined with my technical bike handling skills means Im completely untouchable on The North Face trail and other similar trail centres. Never been overtaken once.
If you have shit bike handling skills then road riding will only help so much.
Posted 11 months ago # -
My fitness is now at a fairly obscene level and this, combined with my technical bike handling skills means Im completely untouchable on The North Face trail and other similar trail centres. Never been overtaken once.
Grrrr baby, very grrrrrrrr... You sound rad with added orsm.
Posted 11 months ago # -
no, its "gnarr-rad to the maxx".
Posted 11 months ago # -
Yes. 4 hr MTB ride - HRM average calories burn is about 10% down on road riding.
It also means, if like me you're a jeycore lite (TM) rider for whom big air is riding off a kerb that your legs are more used to the constant effort rather than the more ussual spank it hard to the top and pedal less hard on the way down.
After a sason of TTs including a 12hr road TT the D2D was positively pleasant despite cold/dark/end of season indifference crepping in. Give it a whizz, you might like it.
Posted 11 months ago #
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