Difference between a Mountain Bike and a Road Bike | 16 Things to Know

The demand for different mountain types of bikes has recently had a spike. Which made many of my novice mountain bike readers confused about the difference between a Mountain Bike and a Road Bike.

Well, this is good to know because by understanding the variability, you will better judge which bike is better than the other while making a buying decision.

The difference between bikes is almost invisible when you are new to biking. You might only notice slightly different wheels, frames, and handlebars. Well, this is not all unless you know the tendency of the differences.

If you ask from an expert POV, Mountain Bikes and Street Bikes are pretty different from each other and are designed to serve different purposes.

While comparing Street bikes vs. mountain bikes, you can find the following dissimilarities:

1. Their gears are different
2. Their performances are different
3. They are designed for different purposes
4. They are suitable for people with different health ranks
5. They come with different gears
6. Their designs are different

Well, I am not here to give you insights on the differences only, but I want to help you determine which one is better among all and whether you should get a mountain bike or a road bike.

So, here you go with the Difference between Mountain Bikes and Road Bikes and my recommendations:

Difference between a mountain bike and a road bike

Speed and Endurance are the main differences between both.

A road bike is designed for speed racing and covers longer distances, while Mountain bikes, also known as endurance bikes, are designed to run on all terrains but covering long distances can be challenging on a mountain bike.

Besides, they have different gears, engineering methods, and serving purposes. Let me explain everything in the details below:

1. Endurance

Endurance, in other words, bearing shocks and sprints on the roads, a mountain bike has peak endurance. It goes well on different types of rough roads without making your body dangling,

On the other hand, street or road bikes are not good at endurance. They cannot tolerate different trails and simply go out of balance on rough tracks.

2. Speed

Another difference between a Mountain Bike and a Road Bike is speed. Mountain bikes are not meant for speed but for sturdiness. They are known for their robust bodies.

Conversely, road bikes are all about speed.

By comparing a road bike vs. mountain bike speed, you will find a 10 to 30 % difference, whereas MTB is 10 to 30% slower than a Road bike.

3. Different pathways

Both are designed to go on different types of roads. Mountain bikes can tolerate the roughest roads with jumps and hitches like trails, tracks, dirt, and snow.

Contrary to this, a road bike will refuse to go any further on such roads. These are designed for gravel and compete in races.

On rough paths, you might go out of balance when riding a racing city cycle as their thin tires will get stuck in the mud, causing falling and lumpiest biking experiences.

4. Ease of use

The ease of use also differs. Being lightweight bikes, you can find road bikes easy to pedal and drive, but if you reach a place that is not smooth, the road bike will make hitches.

Contrary to this, a mountain bike is not easy to drive because it has so much weight. However, the maneuverability is classic. You can take on any terrain. Now it depends on you which one you prefer.

The difference between a regular bike and a mountain bike (distance, weight, etc.)

The subject that looks simple is not that simple. Here I am discussing some more differences between Street Bikes and Mountain Bikes:

5. Distance

Mountain bikes can cover shorter distances and cannot take their rides to far-off places. On the other hand, street bikes are designed to cover long distances and go on longer journeys.

6. Weight

The weight is another considerable difference between a Mountain Bike and a Road Bike. Mountain bikes are heavy and hefty, whilst street bikes are light in weight.

7. Price

Street bike vs mountain bike prices also has a significant dissimilarity. Mountain bikes are costly and are made of expensive materials. At the same time, Road bikes are less pricy and more affordable.

8. Purposes

The purpose of buying mountain bikes differs from the purpose of getting street bikes. Street bikes are used for travelling purposes, and people who like to go far-off places on cycles buy road bikes.

People who are more adventurous in the psyche buy mountain bikes for hiking and mountaineering on the cycle.

Street bike vs mountain bike common gears differences

Gears, components, or parts for street bikes and mountain bikes differ in this respect too.

Even the most common gears like handlebars, brakes, and pedals come with a difference between a Mountain Bike and a Road Bike.

Check the details, and then I will proceed to the verdict.

9. Handlebars

Road bikes have handlebars with drop bars that are slightly downward. Contrary to this, mountain bikes have flat handlebars that are wider.

Both handlebar types have pros and cons, such as drop-down bars being suitable for passing narrow lanes while wider bars provide ease of use.

10. Brakes

If I speak on technical grounds, the brakes are different in both bike types. Brakes in street bikes come with a mechanical disc-shaped cantilever, these brakes are designed for shorter pulls.

In comparison to this, mountain bike brakes are different and are V-shaped mechanical disc brakes that instantly act when pressed, better suitable for biking on terrains with obstacles.

11. Pedals

The shape of MTB and road bike pedals is different, aimed to provide shoes a better grip while riding a bike. MTBs have T shapes inside that are known as cleats.

Cleats are of different sizes in both cycles, such as mountain bikes come with smaller cleats and vice versa.

12. Wheels

Wheels in both bikes are so different that people have to ask if you can put road tires on a mountain bike before any action. MTB tires are heavy, wider, and have a larger diameter.

Compared to this, road bikes have lighter, less wide, and small-diameter enriched tires that make them speedy and easy to go on flat surfaces.

Mountain bike vs. street bike lower gears differences

The aforementioned differences between a mountain bike and road bike gears were based on the components you can see and everyone knows about. The differences even a newbie bike can comprehend.

Now, I am explaining internal or more technical gears to make comprehensive details on the difference between a mountain bike and a road bike.

13. Suspension

Mountain bikes come with great suspension because they are made for off-road use. Therefore, they come with great suspensions. The brakes work instantly; cyclists can jump and take faster turns without a problem.

On the other hand, the suspension rate of road bikes is meager. Because of their high speed, these bikes take time to slow down and stop. Their usage is more uncomplicated and more straightforward.

14. Front Cassette

There are two cassettes in every bike that hold the chain between both wheels; however, the main difference I found in MTB VS Road is the front cassette.

Mountain bike Cassette is bigger than the road bike rear cassette with more individual gears that also play a role in making different weights in both bikes.

15. Derailleurs

Every cassette has some teeth-like structures known as derailleurs or cranksets. The frontal one is different in both bikes. The road bike has 3 chainrings, while modern MTBs come with two chainrings.

These act as active players in making road bikes speedy because more chain rings can easily shift into heavier gear.

16. Forks

One last difference between a mountain bike and a road bike is Fork which is different in both bikes.

Mountain bike forks become bit wider at the end while road bike forks remain straight, providing force to deal with shocks and roughness of the road.

Difference between mountain bikes and road bikes types

Mountain bikes and road bikes also come in different types. Let’s discuss some in detail:

Mountain bike Types

Different bikes that come in the category of MTB are:

1. XC bikes: Also known as cross country bikes, are to ride on grassy lanes and off-road tracks
2. Enduro bikes: These are the most expensive mountain bike types
3. Downhill bikes: These are designed to go on roughest downhill sloping tracks.
4. All-Terrain bikes: These are expensive and can tolerate different trail types.

Road bike Types

Different bikes that come in the category of Road bikes are:

1. Race Bikes: These are lighter in weight and come with more incredible speed
2. Endurance bikes: These are comfortable bikes used in mass cycling contests.
3. Touring bikes: These bikes cover longer distances and go on cycling expeditions.
4. Gravel Bikes: A combo of mountain and road bikes because they can go off-road and on-road.

Should I get a mountain bike or road bike?

I have explained all the differences between MTBs and Road Bikes. As per my experience, both are good bikes depending on the need of a person.

So, to draw a decision, you will have to check your personal preferences when selecting a bike. Like if you need to go on smoother streets or rough trials.

Also, make sure to have a good clue about the area where you will be riding your bikes. If it has more terrains and rough roads like Trails of Southern California, an MTB can be a good choice.

On the other hand, a city bike or street bike is a better choice if you live in the city because it will be hard for you to pedal MTBs on flat surfaces.

Strength, speed, and with all this, consider price factor too. On the basis of your considerations, decide the type of bike you should get for yourself.

FAQs

I am putting here and explaining the questions and queries which you sent me. I have assembled a list with answers here.

What is MTB?

MTB are off-road cycles, bikes, or two-wheelers that have great suspension and are often ridden by people who love adventures. Click here to find more guides about MTBs.

What is a road bike?

Road bikes are regular bikes used by people on roads while commuting to work, groceries, etc.

What does MTB stand for?

MTB Stands for Mountain Bicycle or Mountain Bike.

Bottom Line

I have added a list of 16 differences between a mountain bike and a road bike. For more information and biking tricks, keep visiting my website and do subscribe to my YouTube channel.