Let’s Talk Mountain Bikes
It’s another one of our Let’s Talk features, and my good friend Shawn is in to get you talking about mountain bikes.
Shawn runs the website, www.texasmountainbiketrails.com and in this video he poses an interesting question to all of you….especially if you’re primarily a road cyclist. Oh, and Shawn just happens to be a video graphics master and includes some cool stuff in this one.
You definitely have to check this one out, and then please leave your answer/comment before leaving our website.
Let’s Talk.
[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIeu1ZDv8ko&feature=youtu.be’]
Cyclocross bikes area happy medium. We’d totally ditch the road bike for a set of fatties on a mountain bike. Luckily for us, we’re pretty adept at riding the single-track around here on 700x35s. Perfect for riding in Forest Park.
But back to the mountain vs. road conundrum. We love riding road bikes and we love riding mountain bikes. Still, given the choice, we’d totally replace a long day on the road with an equally long day on the trail. Riding on the trail provides better impact, improves one’s skill at handling their bicycle, and is generally more fun.
…still, we’re suckers for long days on the pavement.
Best of both worlds you ask? That’s called gravel grinding, and it’s perfect on a ‘Cross bike like our Meuse. Check out this ride: http://www.thewolfsmouth.com/2013/04/10/photos-rickreall-gravel-classic/
As a word of caution, I was happily riding road bikes for a couple of years before I bought a cheap mountain bike and decided to try the local singletrack. I was also scared wit-less at first, but got hooked on the rush. Now I’ve got two 29ers (one single-speed), and have been getting my kids into it also. Nice thing about it is I can ride the SS while out with the kids and still get a decent work-out, while doing something that all of us enjoy (and getting exercise outdoors). It’s been a win-win-win.
While I still enjoy riding on the road, my kids are a bit young for that — so while they are still young enough to like being with me, I’m doing much more mountain biking than road riding these days.
So after two years of serious road riding – I found a 2012 used 29er hardtail mtn. bike from a guy who rode only 300 miles on it and hated it. I have only owned it for a month and rode it twice and here is what I have learned. One the road, even with big tires I can still hold or even pass many weekend roadies and obtain some serious speed downhill and on the road – it is just another bike.
The flip side; the skills I have on the road seem to fall flat on a mtn. bike. Mentally realizing I should attack a mtn. course has lead me to being timid as I am so use to avoiding rather than going over something. The idea of “letting” the rear end slide into a corner has “scared the (insert any PG word you like) out of me”. A lot more starting and stopping as opposed to the road where you can settle in at a 95 cadence and not let off the peddles for 20-30 minutes are non-existent on the trails.
The why; some of the best road riders I have ridden with are mtn. bikers and they are some of the “calmest” racers I know of. I have read and been told, that mtn. bikers have the most constant peddle stroke (although I think cross could give them a run for the money) and the bike handling skills you have to learn far out way those on the road – in MY EXPERIENCE. Finally, like another poster has stated, a tree will never pull out in front of you!
Will I stop road riding, no way. Although subbing out a ride a week (generally go out three times a week) or every other week has been not only eye opening – but really fun. Bottom line is I have A LOT to learn and after almost 9,000 miles in two years – I have all but 50 on a mtn. bike with many more to come.
Great Response @facebook-1529464406:disqus. 29ers will seriously roll over just about anything I feel like. 8,950 mountain bike miles is insanely impressive… Wow!
The question for me is: “Would I give up my MTB for my road bike?” Obviously not.
You’re preaching to the choir with me mate!
YEEEAHH! You’re my kind of guy @twitter-109910645:disqus!
I’ll take that challenge. I just borrowed a friends mountain bike for the next week. I’ll report back.
Do it! Bonus points if you share video!
I’ll never forget the excitement I felt when, after three years on the road, I first bought a mountain bike and started exploring trails. Here is what this venture has opened up to me: escape from the constant dangers of the road, discovery of cool forests and mountain vistas, and repeating-yet-fresh exhilarating zooms through flowing singletrack. So. Very. Worth it!
Man I totally hear you on that. It’s like breaking free into another world. I actually just finished telling my story over on Texas Mountain Bike Trails. It’s pretty similar to yours!
http://www.texasmountainbiketrails.com/why-did-you-start-mountain-biking/
Definitely headed that way. Too many locals been hit by cars on the roads. I have no desire for a SN2 attack (obscure organic chemistry reference). Wife was hittee in a hit and run several years ago, so I daily am reminded of the effects of bad drivers.
Thats awful. Sorry to hear that man. That is definitely a perk of riding off-road.
Absolutely. I steal one of my kids mountain bikes sometimes just for a little change in pace.
🙂 Just wait until they are big enough to steal yours back! Then your in real trouble.
The roads and trails around here are so bumpy that my husband switched to mountain bike and i got a mountain hybrid with 700c x 40. We love the shocks!
Nice! They will definitely keep your body happier if you only have rough roads around you.