Why is racing on a 10-speed bike faster than racing on a mountain bike?
zorzo z asked:
I know my question “outs” me as a newbie, but I never understood why mountain bikers ride slower than those on 10-speeds in races. Also, I race on a 10-speed, but I ride as slow as the mountain bikers. I’m in great shape but I can’t understand why I lag behind the group in races. I’m sure it has something to do with the gear shifts, but I never learned how those worked. Can someone help out this first-timer?
the race in question was a triathlon.
Related posts:
- Why does my bike jump through the gears? Cedric James asked: I bought a mountain bike, 21-speed, 7...
- single track mountain biking with a bmx bike? Rebecca M asked: Do you think it is a bad...
- What 8 speed cassett will fit on my mountain bike ? Joe H asked: It has an 8 speed gear changer...
- Is there such a thing as a mountain bike that changes gears for you ? bridget36 asked: I think it might be called an automatic...
- Can Riding a bike help you get a faster 40 yrd dash? Dasnappa76 asked: Can Riding a mountain bike on the highest...
Filed Under Cycling |
Tagged With Bike Racing, Racing Bike, Triathlon
Comments
7 Responses to “Why is racing on a 10-speed bike faster than racing on a mountain bike?”
maybe it has something to do with the gearing. I don’t know much about bicycling though. I’m more of a dirt biker.
Lots of small reasons, that add up to a big difference.
But the 2 main factors are:
-heavier wheels / tires / knobby tread = slower on pavement
-mtb’s have a more upright position = more wind resistance
The gearing may be an issue but only at the very top end of the speed range. Once you figure out how the shifting works, and how to keep your pedal cadence in the most efficient range, that won’t be an issue.
Also - remember the rest of the group is _also_ in great shape.
Tips: either get a road bike if you’re serious and have the cash, or at least switch your mtb to “slick” skinny tires.
Good luck
Scott
The idea that you called them “10 speeds” outs you as a newbie. They are actually called road bikes. No road bike has 10 speeds anymoreand haven’t been for almost 20 years. I have three road bikes: 2 with 20 speeds and one with 30 speeds.
Anyway, in response to your question, road bikes are designed for speed. First off, the position of the rider on a road bike is aerodynamic for the lowest amount of wind resistance. They are quite a bit lighter with stiffer frames and the thinner tires equals less rolling resistance on paved surfaces. These factors make the road bike the most efficient device ever created. You can go fast with minimal effort because of this.
Mountain bikes arre designed for rough terrain. You wouldn’t want to go road bike speeds on loose, dirt terrain that isn’t necessarily a controlled environment- unless you ride a specially designed downhill mountain bike. Mountain bikes tend to be a lot heavier and the fat knobby off road tires are designed to go off road- not on. When used on the road, the wheels spin loudly and wear out faster than road bike tires. because they are designed to grip the surface- great for dirt; horrible for asphalt.
The reason why you are riding as slow as the mountain bikers is because you don’t have enough time in the saddle- you lack experience. The more you ride, the more in tuned you will be with your bike and the faster you’ll ride especially if you are trying to ride fast all of the time.
If you are riding an actual 10 speed bike, you have a bike that is way behind in technology- meaning you will have to work harder to ride this bike as fast as you would with a newer lighter road bike. Newer models are lighter, easier to ride fast and have closer gears that are much easier to shift than an old 10 speed.
Your weight and the weight of your bike does make a difference in how hard you have to work to maintain a high speed. There’s more to riding a bike than just getting on and pedalling somewhere. Most people are inexperienced even after years of bike riding. Buy some books on cycling or go to the library and read some. Another good option is to go to your local bike shop and get their advice.You may find that your feet are positioned on the pedals incorrectly or that your seat or handlebars are the wrong height. Maybe you’re riding the wrong frame size. A bike should fit you like a well-tailored suit. Good luck.
For the same reason that a Ferrari goes faster on the street than a Hummer. Road bikes are built for pure speed, and everything on them is built for efficiency. From the 120 PSI tires with tiny contact patches for low rolling resistance to the aerodynamic rims and frames to the higher gearing that allows higher speeds without spinning out.
Mountain bikes have lower gearing, a more upright position, more weight, higher rolling resistance and poor aerodynamics.
If your bike doesn’t fit properly, you will be inefficient. Learn your gears well, and you can always be in the proper gear for the terrain you’re on, also.
There are many reasons a road bike is faster than a mountain bike:
1. Gear set - the gear ratios offered on the different types of bikes allow for different speeds and/or climbing leverage.
2. Wheel size and tire width - larger, skinnier tires on road bikes provide lest friction resistance against the road.
3. Geometry/body position - Road bikes allow a more aerodynamic stance that provide for less wind resistance.
Both types of riding are fun. I personally ride a flat-bar road bike, which gives me the larger, skinnier tires and a a wider gear cassette so I can ride fast but climb easily, but do not have to hunch over so much (which allows me to see more of the traffic on my commute). Have fun and ride often!
If you were to do a mini time trial, with each of the bikes the MTB bike would take more energy to get it down the road at the same speed - why - Its about 95% tires.
if the MB guys are beating you, their just in better shape than you are.
Firstly, there is the weight issue. Mountain bikes tend to be heavier, since they have suspension and sturdy components, which add weight.
The next thing is role resistance. Mountian bikes have thick tyres, which run at a lower pressure than road tyres. This means that your tyres grip the road, but also slow you down a little.
MTB wheels are usually 26″, although there are some 29″ versions. Road bikes have larger wheels. These are slower to get going, but once you are up to speed, you are faster.
Finally, the gears are set up differently. Think about a road car vs a 4 wheel drive. The 4 x 4 has more grunt and low down speed, whereas the road car will have smoother acceleration and top end, since it is not envisaged that a road car will need to cope with boggy fields and dirt tracks. The same happens with a mountain bikes gear ratio. The MTB is responsive and nimble on single tracks and can climb up rocky dirt tracks, but on tarmack, where the lighter design and skinny tyres count, the road machine will be faster.
Luck