Is it daft cycling on B roads on an MTB?

[LosingFocus]

Been bored at work this afternoon and have been using Google Maps to plan out some routes I want to do, the problem is most are at least 80% road based; mainly B roads and country lanes, but some diversions on to (minor) A road where it cant be avoided.

I dont have a road bike, Ive got an MTB style bike (and not even a "decent" one at that). Am I daft to even try road cycling of any length on it? Im not planning on pounding down the road at 20mph, more a gentle/progressive 10/12mph at most.

 

[HLaB]

Been bored at work this afternoon and have been using Google Maps to plan out some routes I want to do, the problem is most are at least 80% road based; mainly B roads and country lanes, but some diversions on to (minor) A road where it cant be avoided.

I dont have a road bike, Ive got an MTB style bike (and not even a "decent" one at that). Am I daft to even try road cycling of any length on it? Im not planning on pounding down the road at 20mph, more a gentle/progressive 10/12mph at most.

Certainly not, go for it. IME these are some of the most enjoyable roads ( B Roads & Country Lanes) to cycle on but sometimes inorder to get best use of them you do have to take small sections of A Roads and if they are minor all the better

 

[henshaw11]

I've done the majority of my commuting on an mtb, and on knobblies at that - you just need to inflate them to their max pressure. Some tyres roll a lot better than others depending on the tread, tho' it's a bit of a waste of decent off-road rubber - I've currently got some Fire XCs which are fine, but some mud-targetted tyres would wear out very quickly.

I *have* used slicks in the past but they've been such a PITA to get on and off the rims I've tend not to bother - and I haven't found them much quicker.

 

[LosingFocus]

Thanks guys, I guess I'll just "suck it and see". Must not get bitten by the road cycling bug though!

 

[twozeronine]

Thanks guys, I guess I'll just "suck it and see". Must not get bitten by the road cycling bug though!

It's inevitable........don't fight it!

 

[Davidc]

Thanks guys, I guess I'll just "suck it and see". Must not get bitten by the road cycling bug though!

Why not? I ride mostly on roads and always have done but it doesn't stop me going off-road sometimes. I do have knobblies for the mtb, and they get put on a couple of times a year.

Don't know what tyres henshaw11 was using, but I can change tyres on both my wifes and my own mtb type bikes in under 10 minutes per bike. I do use an electric pump though

(Tyres used: road - Kenda kwest and Schwalbe Marathons, knobblies - Ridgeback OEM 1.9" and continental of some type, 2.2")

 

[LosingFocus]

It's inevitable........don't fight it!

I have to admit, on days like today looking out of the window....it looks nice weather for cruising along the road...

 

[LosingFocus]

Why not?

Because Im the type to go out and by a second cheap bike just for road use.

 

[tyred]

Because Im the type to go out and by a second cheap bike just for road use.

Only one? I have so many bikes in my garage that I can no longer get the car into it.

 

[Davidc]

Because Im the type to go out and by a second cheap bike just for road use.

Just save up and buy an expensive one instead. You know it makes sense!

 

[adds21]

Thanks guys, I guess I'll just "suck it and see". Must not get bitten by the road cycling bug though!

Yes, just got for it. I've got a road bike and a MTB (err, and some others!), and although I normally commute on the road bike, every couple of weeks I take the MTB, just for fun.

 

[henshaw11]

Don't know what tyres henshaw11 was using, but I can change tyres on both my wifes and my own mtb type bikes in under 10 minutes per bike. I do use an electric pump though

'Fraid I can't remember offhand - might have been Continentals - they had a definite 'shoulder' to them unlike, say Marathons. It was probably a result of the rim too (narrowish WTB), tho' I've never had much of a problem getting knobblies on or off by hand without tyre levers.

 

[ramses]

Go for it, up until recently I used to do lots of miles on my MTB and mostly road based, up to about 70 miles. Fortunately for me I now have a road bike.
However I had immense fun on MTB on the long distance routes, just pump those tyres up so they roll a little easier.

Have fun!

 

[david1701]

yup I did a 42 mile ride on 'all terrain tyres' last week on my mtb, I like to think of it as resistance training for when I get a road bike

also use it for commuting

 

[ramses]

yup I did a 42 mile ride on 'all terrain tyres' last week on my mtb, I like to think of it as resistance training for when I get a road bike

also use it for commuting

Yeah that's what I am doing too, commute on the MTB during the week, and as you say the extra resistance is great training for the road bike