MTB -> Road Bike?

[David Fleming]

Hi All,

I commute from Stanmore (NW end of the Jubilee line) to the City (Moorgate) 2-3 days a week. I'll be moving to Canary Wharf in a couple of months.

I bought a Specialized Rockhopper last year with the Cycle Scheme, put slicks & SPD's on it & have been very happy with it. The increased commute has got me thinking that perhaps I should consider a road bike that would be lighter and so faster/a bit easier to clock up the extra few miles - I've been playing with a the idea of getting a Specialized Allez but am a bit concerned about a few things :
1. the roads are rubbish in places and I think a road bike will be less comfortable and less able to deal with the potholes/etc.
2. control, emergency braking with disc brakes, larger tyres, etc. are more suited to city riding than a road bike
3. I already go fast enough (usually keep an average of 18-19mph over the 16 urban/sub-urban miles), so getting an even faster bike might not be very wise!

Anybody make a similar switch under similar circumstances?

Many thanks,
Dave

 

[fossyant]

Road bikes are better. Braking isn't an issue provided you use decent pads. As for dealing with pot holes - never had an issue and run 23mm tyres. As for speed, I took the decision to go fixed so can control speed a little easier, and it's also a little slower than the road bike as I'm limited to 25 mph on the flat with my gearing, as I spin out (can do 33 down hill though).

 

[lejogger]

I would think that the advantages of a road bike on the road would offset any reduced pothole coping you'd get on a converted MTB... you quickly learn to look out for them and avoid them, and on your commute you tend to know where they all are anyway if you do the same route every day.
The only time I have a pothole issue is in group riding if they're not pointed out... grrr

I made a switch from slicked up MTB to road bike a couple of years ago and haven't looked back. The difference seems to be the that on a MTB you always seem to be fighting to get yourself up to speed and stay there. On a decent roadbike getting up to 20+ mph and maintaining it is almost effortless, like that's how it's designed to be ridden - which it is! You don't have to ride faster on a road bike than you did on the mtb, you'll just find that it's less effort to do so.
Unless you've swapped to a through block you'll find the shifting much smoother too, and there are the obvious wheel and tyre size differences that all contribute to more efficient road riding.

That said, if you're still not sure of making the jump from MTB all the way to road, you can always consider a hybrid or a Cyclo cross. The hybrid will have the similar upright riding position as your MTB but the gearing and wheels more suited to the road, whereas the CX will give you drops and road geometry whilst still being rugged enough to cope with dodgy surfaces and off-road if required.

 

[londondailyphoto]

Weight isn't a consideration IMO for commuting, but comfort and reliability are. I do a similar length commute (actually used to be 27 miles each way cross London) and I have gone for an One One Pompetamine for a bunch of reasons (a) Get fed up chewing through chains and cassettes, gears inna can are much more robust (b) Steel, for comfort (c) Drop bars for comfort and speed, especially against a headwind. (d) BB7 Discs. Don't believe anything anyone tells you, they are better and that makes a big difference when it comes to saving your @rse. I used to use a Marin urban bike for the weight carrying days (revitalised remains now on sale in Classifieds) and ride my road bike on others, the Pompetamine is a great compromise. AFAIK, the only other similar is the Genesis Day One which is more set up for cross than commuting.

Ham
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