Training on my old MTB

[Garlick]

My road bike is at the bike shop at the moment so after 6 months or so of very regular road biking I had to take the old mountain bike out tonight. I was amazed at the difference, and how unusual a bike I used to know well felt.

The wheelbase felt so short, the width of the bars caught me out in traffic, having my feet free on the pedals felt odd (had cages before recently fitting spuds) and keeping a fast pace used so much effort. Watching the road bikes go was odd too despite trying my hardest.

Good points? Absorbing potholes, good stopping power from the discs and being able to bump the odd kerb.

Anyway, MTB commuters I salute you! I managed to power out a quick(ish) 15 miles but I feel the same as when I do 30 on the roadie......but while it was fun passing/ keeping ahead of the odd Lycra clad chap, I can't wait to get back on my Defy

[PH5121]

Off topic but which model Defy have you got? I like the Defy range but cannot decide which one to get out of the 3,3.5& 4. Aview from an owner would be good.

[Garlick]

Defy 4, but in hindsight I should have gone for the 3 perhaps as it come with a nicer spec for not much more ££.

I adore my bike, and it really does everything that I have ever wanted a bike to do. That said, I have upgraded the wheels, forks etc so spec wise my 4 is now a bit better than a standard 3.

Great, great bike and well recommended.

[PH5121]

Thanks for that, the Defy 3 is probably what I should go for too, but the colour scheme puts me off a little. The yellow is a bit look at me, I prefer a stealthier hue.

[Garlick]

I must admit (sorry to 3 owners) that I prefer the colour scheme of my 4 to the 3.

[American iv]

out of interest, how long did it take you to do the 15miles?

I rode to work on my mountain bike yesterday (first time I've ridden to work as well), and getting there took 45mins (9 miles, mostly downhill), and just over an hour getting back (13miles, mostly uphill, into a headwind).

[Garlick]

Hmm, good question as I don't have a Cat Eye or any other measure on the MTB.

I know it was about 18.45 when I left home, and I had cooled down, had a drink and showered before posting this at 19.56 so I'd say it was about 45/50 mins.

[Amateurish]

Garlick said:

Hmm, good question as I don't have a Cat Eye or any other measure on the MTB.

I know it was about 18.45 when I left home, and I had cooled down, had a drink and showered before posting this at 19.56 so I'd say it was about 45/50 mins.

That is mighty quick for 15 miles on the MTB.

On a good day I can average 15mph on my MTB on my commute to work (14 miles). And that is pretty much traffic free so no stop start around town.

[Garlick]

Is it? Maybe it was a bit more then? As I say I didn't time it.

I was going as fast as my little legs would go though

I'll repeat tonight and will time it.

Edited by Garlick on Friday 14th May 13:22

[TwistingMyMelon]

You can still get some speeds out of MTBS on slicks, I used to do the 19 mile commute in an hour when I was on form.

[Amateurish]

TwistingMyMelon said:

You can still get some speeds out of MTBS on slicks, I used to do the 19 mile commute in an hour when I was on form.

Wow, that is very impressive.

What kind of speeds can you average on a road bike?

[Garlick]

Did I mention that my MTB has road tyres on the original wheels? Might explain my fast(ish) time?

[TwistingMyMelon]

Amateurish said:

TwistingMyMelon said:

You can still get some speeds out of MTBS on slicks, I used to do the 19 mile commute in an hour when I was on form.

Wow, that is very impressive.

What kind of speeds can you average on a road bike?

Cheers, I was at fittest then and it was an open road commute (not start stops) with ACDC full volume!

I'm not sure about my road bike, I don't have a cycle computer any more, I found I became a "slave to the statistics" rather than just enjoying the ride! I'm not that quick out on the open road any more, I get bored too quickly , I love riding with urban traffic and steep steep hills

Like Garlick my road bike has been in the shop this week having the wheels repaired, so have been out on the old MTB and bloody hell it is more hard work and defo gets you fitter when you want to "push on" .

Edited by TwistingMyMelon on Friday 14th May 14:52

[fromage]

I'm currently commuting on my MTB with thin slicks (1.3's) and am seriously considering getting a Racer/Road but only really have room for one bike.

Im currently doing a 11 mile commute in 40-45mins depending on lights and traffic and was wondering how much time I could take off this with a racer. But I feel I will miss the relative comfort of the MTB as I easily do in excess of 150 miles a week rain or shine.

I also have been looking at the Defy series but don't think i could ever got on with the Sora shifters as I couldnt reach them from the drops which is a mega pain in the arse so was looking at the Defy 2 or Trek 1.5.

[itsnotarace]

fromage said:

...with the Sora shifters as I couldnt reach them from the drops which is a mega pain in the arse

The Sora will have reach adjustment for smaller hands. It's just a screw IIRC

Try and go for Tiagra or above though

[PH5121]

Garlick, I hope you don't mind me asking a couple of mundane questions about your road bike.
What modifications have you done to the Defy 4 to improve it & what do you think of the Shimano 2300 stuff?

[boolay]

Just bought a Defy 3.5, picked it up on Tuesday. I actually find that it rides smoother than my MTB! I don't know if this is the carbon forks, or just me conciously avoiding any bumps in the road.

The 3.5 has carbon forks and a different chainset over the 4. For an extra 50 quid, I think it's worth it. Would deffinately recommend one

[The Walrus]

I ride to work twice a week on my old hardrock MTB and do that in 25-30 mins for 8 miles depending on traffic and considerate or not motorists, I cycle at the weekends and avergae 30 miles in a bit over two hours and I thought I was a little slow I can only assume a road bike really can make a differnece but the last time I rode one was back in the 1990's !!!

Out of interest do slicks really make a difference on a MTB as the country rocks I have on for my commute do not feel that bad for rolling resistence ?

[Garlick]

PH5121 said:

Garlick, I hope you don't mind me asking a couple of mundane questions about your road bike.
What modifications have you done to the Defy 4 to improve it & what do you think of the Shimano 2300 stuff?

No problem.

Modifications made: Contiental Grand Prix 4000 tyres (I think), Shimano WH-RS20 wheels, LOOK KEO- Classic pedals, Specialized Alias saddle, GIANT carbon seatpost (can't remember exact model), Easton EC90 SLX carbon forks. Dual bottles, Cat Eye etc.....

A pic of it (before carbon seatpost and forks were fitted)



I'm running the standard groupset at the moment, although I will be changing that soon (along with carbon bars eventually) so I can't really comment on the Shimano 2300 I'm afraid.

[boolay]

Don't post that, Garlick. You've got me thinking now!!