Don't start creating roadie conspiracy theories and leave the ham theatrics out of it. I commute both on an MTB and a roadbike and have no particular bias.danielhaden said:OH MY GOSH!!! I FINALLY UNDERSTAND!!!
Yes, those who are interested in creating a small stature road bike out of a mountain bike---would absolutely hate what I've been writing about.
Some have been behaving as if sitting on a pinecone at an auction, and I have not understood it. Now it makes sense. The reason behind this approach, I don't comprehend, because road bikes are available at a similar price point as these projects. Would someone explain the benefits?
Those who own a mountain bike that has tall gears and narrow rims--would find information about speedy big tires totally pointless, and the waste of time could have been offensive. My apologies.
In fact, only the people that love the sensation of a human-powered motorcycle--a mountain bike--would get any use out of what I've been writing about. This group loves the idea of adding speed to their ride without losing this fun sensation. I love the idea of adding features without removing any, and I consider the motorcycle-like ride to be a beneficial feature.
If this idea is lost to you, yet you want a "confident" feeling ride, see the last of this post for a super-easy super-speed narrow tire method towards a high performance hybrid.
To answer a question:
Data is from foreign markets that value multi-feature bicycles.
Just as fast? As in exactly? No, never. The approach is too different. It always (so far) goes either faster or slower. Momentum is the key difference. The second difference is that even though grip can be balanced for contact patch size for any size, the larger size can cause far more variable results depending on road surface varities. Momentum differences, despite more momentum being inherently fun, will cause you to ride at a totally different speed, even though you can usually make the same average as the rest of your group ride. This might be tiresome in stop-and-go city rides during stop and go, and it does cost extra for using up more brake pads (when the energy you put in is released as momentum, causing your bike to nearly pass the others for a brief period) under city group ride conditions. The big-tire approach does not alter this aspect of a mountain bike; it only makes possible doing the same thing at a faster rate.
**For all of those who were offended or confused by my previous postings, here's a treat, although it is obnoxiously simple.
EASIER HYBRID METHOD (1):
Purchasing a road bike, and then altering the handlebars to suit, seems to be a more effective way of creating a faster hybrid, because the machine was already designed for road speed.
I have tried it, and it was remarkably successful.
Case study was in adding tiny, cushy, touring tires (T-Serv 28mm), a 3" stem riser (Delta), a more medically-advisable saddle, and whatever handlebars you prefer (as long as you don't slouch), to an ordinary road bike. Features were added, none were lost, and very high speed was not decreased. However, expect to go faster over rough pavement, slower over extremely smooth or wet pavement, and faster over gravel, all while being more comfortable.
Effective! And a very obvious way to a confident, comfortable and competent ride.
I will get a big laugh if you start quoting tire hardness or efficiency when even the smallest pebble will slam the efficiency right out of a hard tire--but try if you must. My application is not a machine upon a labratory surface, so this is not the bike for you if you race within labratories.
Let me make it simple for you:
You tell us that 2+" MTB tyres allow a very low rolling resistance. This is counterintuitive, and something that noone else espouses, and so we aren't going to buy it without proof. Proof comes from data. Very simple. If you don't like laboratory data (although such a dislike is irrational), then look for studies with power taps on real bikes in the real world. If they don't exist, then we will simply accept that what you are saying is opinion only. That's cool, but it would be polite of you to make it clear from the beginning that it is opinion.
Momentum of the whole system, by the way, is much more significant than the rotational momentum of your tyres. If you weigh much less than my 90kg, then you are not going to come rolling past me on the flat, regardless of your tyres.