Mountain Bikes vs Road Bikes

A comprehensive guide about Mountain Bikes vs Road Bikes

Table of Contents

Mountain and road bikes are very different and intended for distinct sporting practices. There are pronounced differences like wheels, frames, and handlebars, but also a lot of details that don’t seem evident at first glance. Mountain bikes and road bikes serve entirely different purposes.

What is the difference between a mountain bike and a road bike? The main difference is speed and stamina. A road bike is meant for longer distances at higher speeds, and mountain bikes are meant for off-road riding and are less suitable for long distances. Both have different types of gears and parts designed for different purposes.

Road and mountain bikes can be divided into different types of bikes. Choose a road bike if you want to cover long distances at a reasonable speed. If you’re a thrill seeker and like to get off the beaten track and get dirty, go for a mountain bike. To be fair and objective, it’s not that simplistic. And here’s why.

Performance and objectives

Mountain bikes are designed for off-road use (trails, tracks, dirt, snow) and do not perform at their best, even on the road. However, you can change the tires and use a smoother profile if you mainly have city use.

Road bikes are designed for speed and long distances on asphalt; you will have a hard time keeping up with a road bike on a mountain bike.

Road bikes are faster and perform better on asphalt and pavement. On the other hand, a road bike does not handle rough terrain very well. You even risk damaging it if you go out on a challenging trail, mainly because of the lack of suspension.

Road bikes are lightweight and (depending on the type) designed for speed. The position is very different on a road bike; riders sit leaning forward to improve aerodynamics. It also allows more power to be transferred to the pedals.

There is also a difference in weight; road bikes are often lighter than mountain bikes depending on the bike. I’m not talking about high-end carbon mountain bikes; of course, these bikes are mostly very light, but a road bike still weighs a lot less.

Mountain bike and road bike gears

The main difference is in the transmission and the gears used. Likewise, mountain bikes have suspension(s) to absorb shock on bumpy terrain. The tires are more comprehensive and have knobby profiles that increase their grip on rocks and dirt. Road bikes often have a slick tire profile that makes them faster; the two serve entirely different purposes. If you want something versatile between road and trail, I suggest you look at the gravel or cross-country bike.

Rear Cassette

The rear cassette is usually smaller on road bikes compared to mountain bikes. The only exceptions are touring bikes. MTB cassettes have multiple sprockets to distribute forces more evenly.

Front derailleurs

Modern mountain bikes usually only have two chainrings, single chainrings being adopted more and more, while road bikes often have 3. It means you cannot swap the crankset; a Mountain Bike crankset does not fit. Not to a road bike and vice versa. Who says the third plateau also says higher speed?

Wheels and tires

Mountain bike wheels are often more prominent and stronger than road bikes. They are also much more comprehensive than road bikes and have different tire profiles. Road bike wheels aren’t as wide as mountain bike wheels, which means less rolling resistance and speed with less effort.

Handlebar

The design and shape of the handlebars are entirely different. Mountain bikes have broad, flat handlebars and road bikes have drop grips. Flat handlebars provide more control and make it easier to brake with just one finger. Some even say that they are more suitable for climbing but that the wrists are more stressed at the same time. Road bike handlebars are less comprehensive, which makes it easier to squeeze into small spaces, especially in town.

Fork

Mountain bike forks are more robust because they have to withstand many shocks and vibrations. Most mountain bikes have a suspension fork; we speak of semi-rigid mountain bikes (rigid at the rear and suspension at the front). Most road bikes do not have suspension, although there are a few.

Some MTB forks can be blocked and thus completely stiffen the suspension for use on the road, for example.

Pedals

There is a big difference between mountain bike pedals and road bike pedals. Road cyclists are not uncommon to use mountain bike pedals, but there are differences. Both have a mechanism that clips your shoes onto the pedal. The difference is in the size of the wedges. MTB pedals have relatively small wedges, which make unlocking easier.

Typical because you are more likely to fall off a mountain bike on the trails, and you need to be able to unclip your feet quickly. Road bikes have larger cleats increasing the contact surface between the sole of the shoe and the pedals.

There are also flat pedals for mountain bikes (just like road bikes); it depends on your preference.

Brakes

Road bike brakes have a shorter pull than mountain bikes. Road bikes usually have mechanical discs or calliper brakes, while mountain bikes often have V-brakes or disc brakes. We brake more often on a mountain bike without stopping dead in our tracks. On the contrary, it is more often a question of slowing down when approaching slow or technical passages (one-finger braking).

Types of road and mountain bikes

There are many types of road bikes and mountain bikes. Each type of bike is designed for different circumstances and styles and has subtle variations. Some bikes focus on speed, touring, and comfort or are designed for the twistiest trails. I will refrain from mentioning all types of road and mountain bikes, but here are the basics.

Types of road bikes

Speed bikes are lightweight bikes that are completely stripped down to make them as light as possible. Their design is aerodynamic and emphasizes speed over comfort. The frames are stiffer, and the wheels are thinner. Not great for hikes and steep terrain.

Gravels are capable of both trail riding and maintaining the ability to maintain excellent road speed. These are the epitome of hybrid bikes. Their frames are more robust and can handle rough terrain, while the fork has more clearance allowing for more comprehensive, more drawn tires.

Endurance bikes are intended for long distances and endurance. The bike you see on the big tours and the geometry offers more comfort.

Touring bikes provide comfort and a comfortable ride when you want to travel long distances.

Types of mountain bikes

The Cross Country (XC) is the most common mountain bike and is ideal for long backcountry trails.

Enduro mountain bikes are full-suspension bikes generally designed for routes that combine fast uphills and downhills. These are usually high-end, expensive bikes.

Downhill mountain bikes (DH or downhill ) are made for rough terrain, especially downhill and speed. They are not made for climbing but are intended for descending (obviously) on rough tracks with challenging obstacles.