Hello + Advantages of Road bikes

[tango_kid]

Hello,
i'm Mike, i'm 15 and i presently own a mountain bike- quite a cheap one- from macro and i currently ride mabye 10-17 mile rides inbetween 1 and 4 times a week. With an average speed of usualy 12.5-13.5 miles an hour so pretty slow realy.

Now i have always 'wanted' a road bike purley becasue they look good and i imagine they must be good for speed. Now one has come up second hand in the paper for only £35 and i am very tempted. However, i would like to know if riding a road ike would improve leg strength, stamina or have any other large advantages over the use of a mountain bike (when used on the road)??

Cheers all,

Mike

 

[fossyant]

Road bikes are faster by about 3 mph. They won't build leg strength any more than a standard MTB, but you'll be going faster, and may try harder.

Main difference is handling and speed.

 

[Garz]

When I go out on the road bike it works me out more than the hybrid as I can also put effort into flats and downhill sections which I was limited to on previously.

 

[marinyork]

When I go out on the road bike it works me out more than the hybrid as I can also put effort into flats and downhill sections which I was limited to on previously.

Other way round for me. You have to put incredible effort munching a high gear just to go along at the speed you'd freewheel on the other bike. I've been told how amusing it is watching me pedal at 100rpm downhill as the others just freewheel up to the back of me on their fast bikes.

 

[Fab Foodie]

A road bike will feel more effortless, faster, more nimble and more fun than a cheap MTB on the road... you'll feel like you're flying and the desire to go further and faster will become addictive!

Oh, and Welcome btw!

 

[jimboalee]

When I want to train CV and strength, I go out on the heaviest bike I own.

Then when I go out on the light bike,,,, I fly.

Takes months though.

 

[blazed]

Was that £35 a typo?

 

[RedBike]

Be careful buying a bike for £35. It could well cost you more to repair/restore than it would to simply go out and buy a new bike.

 

[tango_kid]

Cheers or all the info guys

 

[Sam Kennedy]

Oh, because its cheap it may also be stolen, maybe you could check the serial number or something, I have no idea how to spot a stolen bike, apart from something worth £1000 going for £20.

 

[tango_kid]

Well, i rang the guy in the advert and i asked him about its availibility and he said that it had already sold. Unfortunatly, i do not have the funds to buy a road bike unless it is under £50 which you do not see often so i will have to wait my time i suppose.

 

[RedBike]

If you're serious aboout getting into road riding then send of an email to your local cycling club.

There's a stong chance that someone will let you try out a road bike. Someone might even have an old one for sale although probably for a little bit more money.

In the mean time start hunting around for a set of slick tyres for your MTB. These will dramatically speed it up on the road.

 

[Trumpettom001]

seconded - I used to ride with the stock MTB tyres - knobblies - and have now moved onto slicks.... (pumped up to 80psi) These are the biggest difference I have noticed so far.... they're not too much either - I went to the tip, and got a second hand pair for FREE!!!!!!! - and I can't complain about the lack of tread either!!

 

[OLDSHUNTER]

I put 26 1.75 classic's from asda at ten pounds each /also kevlar type . They are allright less tread to push then standard mtb tyre's.Bike shop's can order you whatever tyre you need .Get into bike book's at your libary gain some knowledge/advice and save that pocket money untill you no what you want .Also some city's have these bike community project's where they will sell you a serviced second hand bike.Also try asking local cleansing dump if they have any old bike's i'm sure they will .Gain knowledge ask libary for bike maintenance book as well as general cycling/fitness book's plus search the net. Sound's to me if you have the buzz for cycling so you may want to read up on your highway code remember there is a lot of ignorant driver's on the road cycle'st also.SO BE VIGILANT.

 

[OLDSHUNTER]

hey tango kid try these specific centere's where they do that recycling thing . i googled ; west yorkshire recycle bikes scheme. and got kirlees council/recycle aid/raleigh re-cycle and recycle bikes at a quick look that's four scheme's where you might get a bike or even volanteer and get some experience/knowledge.


SEEK AND THEY SHALL FIND

Good luck