Thread: what makes the mountain bike much slower than a road bike?

I think the top gear on a road bike is 50x11 with a 700c wheel. Most normal MTB is 44x11 on a 26". With road tyres on the main drag effect at most speeds is air. When you include proper MTB tyres like a WTB stout at 7PSI, you have to be going very fast to consider the wind to have an effect, the top speed is dramatically reduced.

Quote: Originally Posted by 4slomo Is there a concensus that a mountain bike is also slower than a road bike off-road? yes, unless cavegiant rides it, lol

Quote: Originally Posted by perttime Oh, a cyclocross bike does some things quite well. Just like my 1998 Audi A3 does some things quite well (no good for off-road or racing on a track for sure...) ok so i like cars as well, but this one is to make pertime happy..im sure with the right gear it will work just fine on the track.

If you want performance, pick the right tool for the job. Same difference: http://www.scotoffroad.co.uk/pictures.html vs. http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/bo...-s/webspecial/

Quote: Originally Posted by JPark Can you honestly say that you can consistently spin out a 42x11 on a mtb with knobby tires? If so, maybe you are in the wrong line of work. You should move to Europe and race pro road. Yes, if you can push a larger gear at the same cadence, you will go faster. But, for those of us mere mortals, the only way to be able to do this we need all the help we can get. Road bikes are much more efficient at overcoming...

Quote: Originally Posted by Ken in KC First, let's be very clear: I'm in no way saying that I spin out on either a road or mountain bike. I also agree with tires are important. What I disagree with is that tires on a road bike are the primary reason why mountain bikes are slower on the road than road bikes. There are multiple factors that impact. I still feel that the transmission is more important than tires. With all things other...

Quote: Originally Posted by Ken in KC First, let's be very clear: I'm in no way saying that I spin out on either a road or mountain bike. I also agree with tires are important. What I disagree with is that tires on a road bike are the primary reason why mountain bikes are slower on the road than road bikes. There are multiple factors that impact. I still feel that the transmission is more important than tires. With all things other...

Quote: Originally Posted by cannondalejohn thanks guys for all the help and input given in here.. i am just wondering with all the physics behind it, how did this guy win a road race on his mountain bike?? it just seems really impossible http://www.bikeradar.com/news/articl...hardtail-22736 Have you ever watched a competative road race with more than say 20 riders? They don't spread out and try and out sprint each other the whole race,...

Quote: Originally Posted by CaveGiant Cyclocross =-) can't do anything well http://www.porsche.com/microsite/cay...beria/usa.aspx Have you ridden a cross bike? I disagree. Also you have missed the point of this thread. Assuming you can blow by any roadie on your 6" bike, try something. Make a course on the road and warm up. Assuming you can but identical effort 2 laps in a row. Run a lap on the 6" bike and run a lap on a road...

Quote: Originally Posted by CaveGiant Calling BS on me? Just because you cannot do it doesn't mean others can. Don't forget I am on road tyres. If this was pointed at me, the answer is no. I was merely stating that you, on a true road bike, with road gearing (50/34 or 53/39 chainring) are going to be able to go faster than you already can on your 29er mtb with 44T chainring. Its simple physics. Also, your "road" tires are...