Getting the best bang for your buck when it comes to cycling is a natural concern that every rider has on their mind at one time or another. An increase in bike choice each year also comes with increased costs for the average cyclist.
The new generation of mountain bikes is no exception. With some costing over $10,000, it is no wonder cyclists of all levels want to get the most out of their purchases. “Multi-purpose” takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to plunking down your hard-earned cash for a new bike.
With that in mind, is it okay to ride your mountain bike on the road? To answer that question, it is necessary to thoroughly understand mountain bikes and how they operate compared to road bikes.
What is a mountain bike, anyway?
What distinguishes a mountain bike from its road-racing cousin is the overall design. They share similarities, but the mountain bike has different features to enhance durability over rugged terrain. These typically include:
- Front or full suspension systems
- Large, knobby tires
- Stronger wheels
- More powerful braking systems
- Lower gear ratios for hill climbing
- Straight handlebars for better comfort
Mountain bike manufacturers build their bikes with the outdoor adventurer in mind. Most true off-road riders have an independent streak and are often daring enough to challenge even the most brutal landscapes including:
- Rocks
- Loose dirt
- Gravel
- Tree roots
Some human-made courses offer additional obstacles known as Technical Trail Features (TTF’s) such as:
- Rock gardens
- Log piles
- Specialized jumps
- Narrow riding surfaces (“skinnies”)
- Log rides
- Near-vertical riding surfaces (“wall rides”)
Mountain cyclists not only ride on mountain trails but also on other specialized areas such as fire roads and narrower, singletrack trails.
Because mountain bikes can handle all of these extreme riding conditions, they have been popular for several years with urban riders. Due to their increased durability, navigating over potholes and curbs is no problem for these sturdy workhorses, which leads to another question:
What type of mountain bike should you get?
To answer that question, it is helpful to review the different types of mountain bikes offered:
1. Hardtail
The hardtail mountain bike is just how it sounds. There is no suspension provided on the back and performs well on smoother, less rugged terrain.
The common misconception about hardtails is that they are usually only offered as cheap alternatives, which is not the case. Some can cost into the thousands for a well-built bike.
2. Full suspension
The full suspension mountain bike offers both front and rear suspension. This category breaks down into several other subsets:
- Cross country
- Trail
- Enduro
- Downhill
Suspension travel is an important specification (spec) for full suspension bikes and … click here to read further information.
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Can You Ride a Mountain Bike on the Road? was first posted on Cycling How
This article is created successfully on July 28, 2023 at 08:30PM
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