
Initially we only had the road bicycles and then the mountain bikes were born! Today, we have a specific style of bicycle to handle every possible type of terrain. It takes no scientist to understand that pavements and mountain trails are different surfaces with unique characteristics that need a specialized bike.
Road bikes boast over a century of racing heritage in human history, while the mountain bikes were invented much later. The latter comprises of a large share of the cycling market, and they come in a wide range of styles and builds to handle the toughest terrains.
So, if you are planning to get a new bike then it’s not going to be an easy decision. While there are a plethora of styles available, the two most competing ones are road and mountain bikes. While you get agility and speed in one, the other gives you more power and a sense of adventure.
Which is better of the two and which one would you choose? Are you someone who uses a bicycle for commuting daily or you prefer mountain biking in the wild on weekends? Before that, let’s take a closer look at both these styles.
Features | Road Bike | Mountain Bike |
Purpose | Commuting, Recreation | Sport, recreation |
Terrain | Paved roads | Rough and bumpy |
Types | Aero, Endurance, Ultralight | Hardtail, XC Full suspension, Gravity |
Wheels/ tires | Narrow and thin, up to 26 inches diameter | Wider and thick, up to 29 inches diameter |
Speed (average) | 30 mph | 25 mph |
Handlebars | Drop design | No drop design |
Traction | Less traction | Greater traction |
Suspension | No | Front, rear suspension |
Road Bikes

Also referred to as a racing bike or 10-speed bike (although today we have 18-speed bikes too), these bicycles are lightweight and built for speed. The narrow and agile tires roll with great speed on smooth surfaces and pavements to help you cover more distances, using less effort in less time.
With advance features and upgrades, modern road cycles have come a long way. The disc-brake version is much popular these days and some brands also offer special women bikes (see Amazon). The handlebars, saddle height and so on in the women bikes are perfectly suited as per female anatomy.
Sub-Classification Of Road Bikes
For a beginner, road cycles may seem to be just one type, but once you get to know it better, you realize there are so many sub-classifications of the same. The difference in build, comfort, speed, and endurance also impacts the overall cost of the bikes.
Aero
These aerodynamics road bikes feature wing-shaped elongated frame tubes and wheels to defy the drag to a bare minimum. The cycle’s geometrical makeup allows the body and hand positioning of the rider to change … click here to read further information.
Difference Between Mountain Bikes And Road Bikes was first posted on Cycling How
This article is created successfully on May 26, 2023 at 12:57AM
Please be noted that this post also submit on CyclingHow on Weebly.
Actually, you can find out the original article with the title: Difference Between Mountain Bikes And Road Bikes.
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