Observations after 300+ miles on the road bike

[Angelfishsolo]

Obvious stuff first.

So much faster.
Roads no longer feel smooth
Taking downhill hairpin bends feel less dangerous on the MTB
Going up hill is actually a pleasure.

Not so obvious

My thighs are working harder - I notice that the deep muscles ache more after a long ride as I am able to sustain a constant speed for longer.
Gone is the tingling in the outer two fingers but replaced by tingling between thumb and first finger (Where hands meet hoods).

Conclusions.

I am falling in love with road biking

 

[Mushroomgodmat]

Roads no longer feel smooth

Iv done about 200 miles on mine and this is my biggest change/Issue - When Im pushing myself I have a bad habit of looking down... Then I go though a pot hole which I dont see soon enough and BAM! bit of a shock to the system.

I am falling in love with road biking

Ditto !

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Iv done about 200 miles on mine and this is my biggest change/Issue - When Im pushing myself I have a bad habit of looking down... Then I go though a pot hole which I dont see soon enough and BAM! bit of a shock to the system.




Ditto !

Coming from a MTB background I don't tend to look down as I am constantly looking for VPC (Visual Performance Cues). Doesn't mean I don't hit potholes mind. I have come to hate cattle-grids as well!!

 

[Wankelschrauben]

Numb hands can be prevented with padded gloves.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Numb hands can be prevented with padded gloves.

Can you get gloves with padding around the inner and outer junction of the thumb and forefinger?

 

[fossyant]

Welcome to the dark side. I don't like share bends on the MTB as the tyres squirm too much.

There are ways to make roads a bit smoother. As your bike is alloy then it will be a bit harsh. My fixed is a harder ride than my steel bikes. They absorb road shocks much better.

 

[apollo179]

Whats your max distance on the new bike so far ?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Whats your max distance on the new bike so far ?

Yesterdays ride of 80 miles.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Welcome to the dark side. I don't like share bends on the MTB as the tyres squirm too much.

There are ways to make roads a bit smoother. As your bike is alloy then it will be a bit harsh. My fixed is a harder ride than my steel bikes. They absorb road shocks much better.

It's the hydraulic brakes that allow me to enjoy hairpin bends more on the MTB. Maybe once I upgrade to 105 brakes I will be braver

I can lower the tyre pressure a little and sacrifice lower rolling resistance from comfort. Running them at 120psi at the mo.

 

[apollo179]

Yesterdays ride of 80 miles.

Thats pretty impressive - i did 60 yesterday , watford to luton and back , and felt pretty rough by the time i got home.

 

[gaz]

It's the hydraulic brakes that allow me to enjoy hairpin bends more on the MTB. Maybe once I upgrade to 105 brakes I will be braver

I can lower the tyre pressure a little and sacrifice lower rolling resistance from comfort. Running them at 120psi at the mo.

The rolling resistance differences between 100psi and 120psi is negligible. Just use 100psi and see how it is.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Thats pretty impressive - i did 60 yesterday , watford to luton and back , and felt pretty rough by the time i got home.

60 is no mean feat
I felt good TBH even though I deliberatly chose a hilly start to the route. Need to get some 100+ mile routes sorted out now

 

[Angelfishsolo]

The rolling resistance differences between 100psi and 120psi is negligible. Just use 100psi and see how it is.

OK will do

 

[PaulSecteur]

Roads no longer feel smooth

Do you have a carbon forks?

On my secteur the roads feel smoother than the tricross (With a bit of carbon in the forks and 32mm marathon plus`s)

Obviously, ruts and pot holes are to be avoided but the general smoothness on road is definatly better.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Do you have a carbon forks?

On my secteur the roads feel smoother than the tricross (With a bit of carbon in the forks and 32mm marathon plus`s)

Obviously, ruts and pot holes are to be avoided but the general smoothness on road is definatly better.

Errr no. It is a £200 Viking Giro d'Italia