Are Mountain Bikes Good For The Road? 21 Excellent Tips for a Fun Commute

Every time a group of mountain bikers sits together, a query they argue about is are mountain bikes good for the road.

Though I have given you enough tips and helpful stats about the difference between a mountain bike and a road bike, and you know both bike types vary a lot, as bike choices fluctuate bikers-wise, such interesting debates would exist.

I guess these are healthy, too. Because of this, we learn about the preferences of different bikes and things like seeing a mountain bike.

I have upgraded many of my bikes based on the suggestions provided in the discussions we mountain bikers offered to prove our point.

So, today, I decided to tell you a thought-provoking tale of discussion between old mountain bikers, you can say the old school or the mature ones, and novice bikers who are just getting into experimenting with their bike to make them more maneuverable.

So, here are the findings. DAH! I will not reveal who lost and who won the argument, “Are mountain bikes good for the road.”

Are Mountain Bikes Good for the Road?

Although there is a massive difference in the anatomy and kit of road vs. mountain bikes, the MTBs make the excellent road partner for daily commuting, going for groceries, or having a quick, smooth ride in the cool evening breeze.

There are some perks as well when it comes to driving MTBs as road bikes on the smoother pave such as:

1. Mountain bikes are smoother to sit and easier to balance because of the increased width of their tires. They dangle less than road bikes and give an upright sitting
2. You sit in aerodynamic positions on roads because the saddle on an MTB is manufactured to hold your body firm on the roughest terrains without swinging around.
3. Gear, segment, and equipment mountain bikes have no comparison with a road bike, which comes with only smoother tires and some brakes only
4. Are mountain bikes good for the road? Yes! On an MTB, you can pass minor obstacles in the twitch of seconds and have sturdy runs all the way, either commuting to work or heading towards a grocery store.
5. Mountain bikes can hold more weight than road bikes, so obese bikers can rely on the former. Besides, a ride with rich resistance helps to lose weight, too.
6. You will never be stuck in traffic the next time you take your MTB to the office. You see grass, pavement, mud, or stones – the tires will pass all terrains.
7. No more waiting on the road to disperse traffic and move forward.
8. Mountain bikes need regular maintenance, and you must replace their parts more often, especially tires, brakes, and derailleurs, as they become weary due to heavier obstacles. But when you drive it on roads, the gears stay new for a long.
9. MTBs are built to last even after riding through stones and bricks. So, their lifespan will increase even more on flat surfaces, smooth city roads, and interesting metropolitan lanes.
10. Riding a mountain bike on roads doesn’t halt its performance or quality. Besides, riding a mountain bike on the pavement is also not bizarre.

But wait… Are mountain bikes good for the road? The story is not about the happy ending but just the joyous scenes because MTBs on roads also have downsides.

You cannot use mountain bikes for road rash and racing because these are meant for strength and have slower speeds than racing or road bikes.

Moreover, their heavy weight requires exerting more pressure while riding. Apart from this, mountain bikes are well-suitable for flat road rides.

Here comes the tragic part of our discussion, letting you know how driving Bikes on mountain terrain on a smoother city surface can be challenging.

1. Mountain bikes are cumbersome, or I would say substantially thick and heavyweight giants, because these are built to last with resilient yet heavy-duty gears. You can have a hard time pulling them.
2. So many gears and pieces are added to make the controllability powerful. Everything can make a novice road biker confused, and they might end up with damaging operations.
3. These can be very slow on city roads because of their weight and massive tires.
4. People not used to riding heavier bikes might face random accidents like minor fall-offs when riding mountain bikes.
5. Mountain bikes are hard to drive, and there is so much you need to learn about their kids before bringing this beast on the road.
6. MTBs are best for heavy guys, not thin ones like children or the elderly. However, you can add a motor to your MTB to shift the force and make it smoother.

But still, taking a mountain bike on the road is not a mistake. But with time, you will learn to cope with the speed and weight, and the best thing is, the heavy force you apply to the pedal will help you shed pounds, get muscles, and look younger than your age.

Road Bike VS Mountain Bike

Let me compare both bikes side-by-side to help you draw a better decision regarding are mountain bikes good for the road:

1. Mountain bikes are not as impressive and stylish in outlook as road bikes:

Road bikes are lusher and have slimmer bodies with better-looking presence. So, if you expect mountain bikes to look as geeky on the roads as you think, you might be wrong.

2. Mountain bikes are not built for commuting but for adventurous biking.

If you are looking for a long commute, a mountain bike is not the right option because it will make you feel tired too early as these are heavier. However, for daily journeys to college, work, or supermarkets, you can use MTBs or road bikes.

3. The speed of mountain bikes on the road is significantly less.

Road bikes are designed for swiftness as they have less weight to offer substantial speed with trivial pedaling. At the same time, mountain bikes are for endurance and don’t offer good speediness.

Although I could tell you plenty of more things, these three points are enough for you to decide whether are mountain bikes good for the road.

Can You Ride a Mountain Bike on the Road?

Although I have written a detailed blog on whether mountain bikes are good for the road or how you can make your MTB ready to jaunt the flat streets.

On a small note, I can tell you that mountain bikes can be ridden on the roads, but you will have to compromise on things like speed and ease of pedaling.

To erase all your confusion, check my guide MTBs on the road.

Tips for Riding Mountain Bikes on Road

In the end, before compiling the information and moving to the end, I would like to give you some tips to follow before you bring your MTB on the road to have the most out of your journeys.

1. Do not take a mountain bike on the road unless you have the energy to accelerate your heavier mountain bike on flat surfaces. For this, eat healthily.
2. Always wear Safety gear like helmets, gloves, comfy shoes, and glasses. These are essential to your ride on a mountain bike, regardless of heading to the office, park, or for a stroll.
3. Drink plenty of water during rides, especially when riding on a sunny, hot summer day. At least half a liter of water is recommended to be consumed after every hour.
4. Do not drench your energy while riding heavier mountain bikes on the road by exerting too much pressure on the pedals. Go slow and steady to win the race.
5. Be ready for the slow speed and implement more pressure on the pedals because these MTBs need energy.

Lastly, if you are thin or wear out quickly, I suggest you don’t go on the roads with MTBS.

Bottom Line

So let me conclude the discussion here about are mountain bikes good for the road: There is no problem in taking mountain bikes on city surfaces; based on your choice, you might have the best ride of your life on an MTB when passing by smoother roads.

However, as a professional, I suggest you follow the abovementioned tips before you start your ride. Also, eat healthy and become powerful if you want to drive MTBs.

For more information, suggestions, and questions, I am always open. Reach me by commenting anywhere at mtbknowledge.com.