Mountain Bike vs Road Bike
The make and the use are the two main differences between a mountain bike and a road bike. Any comparison between a road bike and a mountain bike has to keep in mind that road bikes are meant for speeds and style, whereas mountain bikes are meant for stability, balance, and sturdiness. Both are meant for totally different specializations that necessitate their structure and parts to have differences. Though to a layman both bikes may look similar, and indeed both a road bike and a mountain bike are meant to carry a person on it and cover distances, there are differences that will be highlighted in this article.
What is a Mountain Bike?
A mountain bike is a bike designed to travel rough, unpaved terrain. It is clear from the outset that mountain bikes have to move on loose tracks and have to withstand lots of shocks and abuses that may lead to wear and tear to their frame and parts. Thus, mountain bikes are sturdier and have greater strength. Any cyclist riding mountain bikes knows there are differences in riding positions between a road bike and a mountain bike. This has to do with steep slopes and difficult terrains in mountainous regions as a cyclist has to sit more upright while riding.
The difference between MTB (mountain terrain bike) and a road bike is palpable at first glance with a wider, sturdier frame and wider tires with better traction to float on rough terrains. Mountain bikes are created with a focus on stability and balance rather than speed and aerodynamic body. When it comes to the speed, mountain bikes can barely pass through a speed of 20mph. The handle bars of a mountain bike are designed to provide better control and handling to the biker, and it is not surprising to see the rims and tubes of a mountain bike being thicker than a road bike. All-day endurance, cross country, downhill biking, and free-ride biking are types of mountain bikes.
What is a Road Bike?
Road bikes that look fragile, at least in comparison to mountain bike, are for daily use in places with paved roads. They are delicate to look at as they pretty much glide on smooth surfaces like metallic roads.
Road bikes are slender and more aerodynamic to achieve higher speeds. On any given day, road bikes have greater speeds than mountain bikes. Road bikes can easily speed up to 50mph.The frames of road bikes are thinner and more aerodynamic that help a biker achieve high speeds. These bikes are designed to cut as much as possible wind and are deliberately kept light to speed up easily. The handles of a road bike are normally curled or dropped to help with many speed settings. Road bikes are available in flat bar style too. Roadster, recumbent, hybrid, touring, and utility are types of road bikes.
What is the difference between Mountain Bike and Road Bike?
Just like a racing car has great differences with ordinary passenger cars, mountain bikes are also different from road bikes.
• Terrain:
• Mountain bikes are used to ride in places that have no paved roads such as dirt tracks, over obstacles such as logs and rocks.
• Road bike are used to ride on paved roads.
• Tires, Rims, and Tubes:
• The tires of a mountain bike are wider and have more traction.
• The tires of road bikes are thinner compared to mountain bikes.
• The rims and tubes of a mountain bike are thicker than a road bike.
• Frame:
• The frame of a mountain bike is also heavier and thicker than that of a road bike as emphasis is on stability and controls.
• When it comes to the frame of a road bike, the emphasis is on attaining higher speeds with a lighter, aerodynamic body.
• Handlebars:
• Mountain bikes have flat or riser bars.
• Road bike handles bars are normally curled or dropped to help with many speed settings. Flat bar style is also available.
• Speed:
• Road bikes can attain much higher speeds than mountain bikes.
• Types:
• All-day endurance, cross country, downhill biking and free-ride biking are types of mountain bikes.
• Roadster, recumbent, hybrid, touring and utility are types of road bikes.
Images Courtesy:
- Mountain bike by Scu98rkr (CC BY-SA 3.0)
- Road bike by Fajro (CC BY-SA 3.0)
