Does this sound weird

[Losidan]

The last week I have been spending most of my rides on my old road bike...12 speed and down tube shifters...

Back on the MTB this week and I felt quite a bit stronger than before...
I was wondering if a combination of bigger gears and having to ride in a more narrow position which crunches your chest up makes it easier when you are on the wider MTB?

Does that sound logical??

On reflection...maybe it is just I got loaded up on pear drops and peanut brittle before riding!!!!!

 

[Globalti]

No, as a MTBer who recently started road riding I can tell you it's because you don't train on an MTB but you do on a road bike.

I wish I'd started road riding 20 years ago - I'd have done a lot better at the MTB events I've entered.

The other error I made whn at the peak of my MTB mania was to go out two or three times a week so that I was in a permanent state of tiredness. I didn't allow myself to rest.

 

[marzjennings]

I train on both my mtb (you can train on a mtb) and my road bike, but for different reasons. On a road bike you'll stay in a single gear and at a steady cadence for longer periods than on a mtb and you'll be able to push a larger gear up hill as you'll not be balancing effort against traction on the dirt.
Also I can concentrate on improving pedaling motion while on the road bike more than while mtbing where I'm more focused on the trail ahead.

 

[bonk man]

When I used to race I trained as much as possible on the road, including doing time trials , I reckon it was all helpful and the mountain biking skills always helped when I took off road excursions when not concentrating as I should or got elbowed onto the grass verge by club mates in the sprint for the 30 sign

Riding the road will increase your leg speed and smoothness. All miles are good miles