Hi.
I've been enjoying the old Mtb of late. Its heavy cumbersome and slow compared to my road bike, but saying that it does have alot of positives. Even though i ride alot slower i can still cover decent mileages in comfort. In fact i would say its more comfortable than the road bike. With the front suspension set hard, it still takes up the road buzz whilst not sapping to much energy away from me. The riding position also makes me feel safer out on the road. I've got mine fitted with Victoria Rubino pro slick tyres and even with them being a lardy 26x1.50 they roll very nicely indeed and grip supprisingly well.
Pot holes and general road conditions this time of year always keep me on my toes with the road bike.
You've only got to hit one nasty pot hole on 700c wheels and you could end up kissing the pavement. The fatter mtb wheels and suspension just seem to soak up anything that's thrown at it.
Also this time of year my cycling is mostly done in the dark.
Personally i hate cycling along busy A roads in the dark. I feel so much more vulnerable than in the summer months when its light.
For this reason i tend to dissappear down the quiter lanes in the winter, and a stronger mtb set up is better suited. After 45 miles of mud, floods and broken roads i came home today with a big grin on my dirty face. The bike is a rough and ready machine to which I'm not to fussy about it getting plastered in nature's worst unlike my road bike. A quick wash down and a wipe over with WD40 and it's good to go again.
One more point is that i find it's nice to change my riding habits throughout the year. In the summer its great to use the road bike and try and improve on my strava states. I can cycle further and faster and explore further places and when winter comes its always good to change over to the Mtb. Slower rides granted, but it does give me a chance to get off the beaten track and appreciate the local beauty of the country side.
This is what's good about cycling as a whole. It offers so many different angles to enjoy.
I've been enjoying the old Mtb of late. Its heavy cumbersome and slow compared to my road bike, but saying that it does have alot of positives. Even though i ride alot slower i can still cover decent mileages in comfort. In fact i would say its more comfortable than the road bike. With the front suspension set hard, it still takes up the road buzz whilst not sapping to much energy away from me. The riding position also makes me feel safer out on the road. I've got mine fitted with Victoria Rubino pro slick tyres and even with them being a lardy 26x1.50 they roll very nicely indeed and grip supprisingly well.
Pot holes and general road conditions this time of year always keep me on my toes with the road bike.
You've only got to hit one nasty pot hole on 700c wheels and you could end up kissing the pavement. The fatter mtb wheels and suspension just seem to soak up anything that's thrown at it.
Also this time of year my cycling is mostly done in the dark.
Personally i hate cycling along busy A roads in the dark. I feel so much more vulnerable than in the summer months when its light.
For this reason i tend to dissappear down the quiter lanes in the winter, and a stronger mtb set up is better suited. After 45 miles of mud, floods and broken roads i came home today with a big grin on my dirty face. The bike is a rough and ready machine to which I'm not to fussy about it getting plastered in nature's worst unlike my road bike. A quick wash down and a wipe over with WD40 and it's good to go again.
One more point is that i find it's nice to change my riding habits throughout the year. In the summer its great to use the road bike and try and improve on my strava states. I can cycle further and faster and explore further places and when winter comes its always good to change over to the Mtb. Slower rides granted, but it does give me a chance to get off the beaten track and appreciate the local beauty of the country side.
This is what's good about cycling as a whole. It offers so many different angles to enjoy.