Frame Choice - Performance vs. Recreation

noonievut said:

Just wondering if when you're looking to buy a road bike (1st time), does it matter if you will ride for recreational purposes only vs. wanting to enter races and keep pace with competitive buddies.

The fact is I have no buddies who bike, have no desire to race, and am wondering if there are road bike designs that have a bit more comfort to them so I enjoy the ride, instead of suffering with non-comfort to win a race.

Yes and yes.

noonievut said:

Just wondering if when you're looking to buy a road bike (1st time), does it matter if you will ride for recreational purposes only vs. wanting to enter races and keep pace with competitive buddies.

The fact is I have no buddies who bike, have no desire to race, and am wondering if there are road bike designs that have a bit more comfort to them so I enjoy the ride, instead of suffering with non-comfort to win a race.

I currently mountain bike and after watching road racing on tv and the flat position of the back, I'm not sure if that is for me. I'm very comfortable riding my mountain bike (with slicks) on the road, but would like to ride further at greater speeds, and figured the lighter bike (and other road qualities) will improve my enjoyment of the road.

Comments/suggestions?

If you're looking for exercise and a means of getting fitter and healthier, then there's no reason to buy one of the ball buster back breaking aero position road bikes. Plenty out there that are more upright and comfortable.

Frankly, your MTB will do the job, especially if you already find it comfortable. It's not written on any stone tablets anywhere that states you can't ride your MTB for several hours. It's just going to be a little more taxing and you won't go quite as far. Riding at 75% of your max heart rate for 3 hours is the same whether you do it on a road bike or an MTB. The end result is still the same.

If you have friends that aren't into riding, save your breath and don't try to convert them as it's a complete waste of time. I know because I've tried. Trust me on this one. They just don't get it. They are either into it or they aren't. I have a close sedentary friend who said (his exact words) that "exercising for 3 hours is retarted". It's not that I trust his word on anything, of course, but that's the kind of scheiße you're likely to run into from "non-cycling" buddies. It's like trying to get a plumpish girlfriend to go on a diet. Your better off just dumping her and finding a thinner one. 😄

Here's a little something off of Rivendell's web site that sums up my take on comfort and fit...

Be Careful Who You Emulate
Sizing, fitting, and positioning systems based on the young pro cyclist who has a flexible, tolerant body, is willing to sacrifice comfort for speed, gets a massage frequently, and usually quits riding when he turns 32…are not suitable for a non-competitive cycler seeking a lifetime of cycling health and pleasure.

Thanks Doc.

I'm fine with my mountain bike, even though I sound like I'm not, I guess it's just the 'bling' factor of having a road bike. Right now I'm riding for 1 1/2 hours on average. I would like to get it up to 3 hrs only to challenge myself and increase enjoyment.

Right now I'm convinced I love the road, but when the trails are dry here in Toronto, no doubt I will be on them and loving it like last year.

noonievut said:

Thanks Doc.

I'm fine with my mountain bike, even though I sound like I'm not, I guess it's just the 'bling' factor of having a road bike. Right now I'm riding for 1 1/2 hours on average. I would like to get it up to 3 hrs only to challenge myself and increase enjoyment.

Right now I'm convinced I love the road, but when the trails are dry here in Toronto, no doubt I will be on them and loving it like last year.

3 hours is definitely possible on an MTB. Last summer I did it quite a bit with my hardtail. Only got 40 miles in 3 hours though as I was trying to wear out the knobbies that came on the bike! :o If I can do it anybody can.

I have a couple of road bikes too. The most comfortable is an '04 Sequoia Elite. It's actually more comfy than my MTB. Normally I do my longish (40+ mile) rides on it and use the MTB for everyday riding. It's hard to beat an MTB for jumping over a curb and getting away from insane drivers in a hurry.

If you're still in the market for a road styled bike I suggest you test ride a Giant OCR1. If I were getting a new road bike today I'd get it over my Sequoia. It has an MSRP that is $300 lower and it sports Ultegra components vs. the Elite's 105 (although in a blindfolded test 90% couldn't tell the difference).

Doctor Morbius said:

... Giant OCR1.

If you're riding on roads, a road bike with relaxed/upright geometry is going to be more pleasurable over time than a MTB even decked out with 100 psi slicks. I did that for a while in college years ago.

The OCR1 is a good recommendation, similar models you might be interested in are specialized's Roubiax and Trek's pilot. Each has a big price range, with lower $ models typically being aluminum frames with carbon forks/seatstays, higher $ gets you a full CF frame, which reduces some of the high-frequency vibration slightly, and higher $ gets you upgrade wheels/components/etc for lower weight and slightly better performance. Shimano 105-level is often considered a good bang for the buck proposition but there no wrong with lower/higher stuff.

Have fun!

Dont worry about spending a few hours in the saddle of your MTB. A few years ago, I regularly used to do 2 to 3 hour off road rides on my local trails on my fully rigid, steel Kona cindercone. I used to come back with a smile on my (dirt covered) face and only tired legs for my pains. I even did an 80 mile charity road ride on it with cheap slicks which took around 6 hours with regular snack stops🙂

That said, I did also invest in a road bike soon after that as I came to understand that you cant beat a real road bike for efficiency (on the road obviously).🙂

I love both bikes and still have my rigid kona at the back of the garage. It looks a bit tired now but is still in reasonable working order. I use it these days to tow my kids round with! I use my road bike for on road fitness/ leisure cycling.

Basically, don't sweat it over worrying what your MTB can/can't do. If you feel you want a road bike though and can afford it, go out and get one. It is quite a different type of machine and I'm sure you would love it too.😉

noonievut said:

The fact is I have no buddies who bike, have no desire to race, and am wondering if there are road bike designs that have a bit more comfort to them so I enjoy the ride, instead of suffering with non-comfort to win a race.

You may find, as I have, that once you start road biking, you make biking buddies. I don't do mountain biking but imagine it must be more difficult to be social than riding in a bunch on the road. The bikes mentioned above seem like good choices and would give you the good road bike experience with reasonable comfort. (good, well fiting shoes, bike shorts, helmet, gloves etc also go a long way help you feel comfortable on a road bike)

I have 3 road bikes: a 2003 Cervelo Soloist Team with Dura Ace and Ksyrium SSC SLs, a Giant TCR Aero 2 stock 105 with R535 wheels, and a stock 2004.5 Giant OCR 1. In comparing all my bikes, I find that my OCR 1 has a very comfortable ride. It has the perfect upright geometry for all day riding. And the seat on the 2004 model is really comfortable (Selle Royal Viper). I even bought two more of these seats on ebay. Last of all, My OCR 1 size small weighed 22.4 lbs without anything added, 29.2 lbs with a rack and two Jandd Commuter panniers. Funny, but so far this year my top speeds on all of my bikes are within 1 mph of each other. The OCR 1 really has a comfortable feel compared to my racing and training bikes.

Try to get last years model - it came with an adjustable stem and a better seat than the 2005 model (my opinion). And you will save about $150 buying last years model!

I love my OCR 1 and it is a great utility / commuter bike.