Bikes come in all shapes and sizes, and that’s partly what makes cycling such a special sport.
There’s a bike for every occasion, whether you are on tarmac, dusty roads, sand, or even a forest path.
However, for newer cyclists, this begs the question: What are the differences between a road bike vs mountain bike?
Understanding all the different types of bikes available and what makes them unique is a tall task. A road bike and a mountain bike are completely different types of bikes designed for very different riding styles.
In this road bike vs mountain bike comparison article, we’ll be covering:
- What Is A Road Bike?
- What Is A Mountain Bike?
- Road Bike Vs Mountain Bike: 9 Key Differences Explained
- Road Vs Mountain Bike: Which One Is Right For You?
Let’s dive in to the mountain bike vs road bike debate!
What Is A Road Bike?
Road bikes are designed for riding on tarmac.
They are incredibly fast and are one of the most popular types of bikes due to races such as the Tour de France. They have always been very popular, and companies continue to push the boundaries making them better and better.
Road bikes are known for their drop handlebars and skinny tires. The frames are very lightweight, and some bikes are as light as 7 kg. They come in steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber mostly, and are made to have excellent aerodynamics.
Road bikes are generally used for road racing and are favored by riders who like to go long distances. They are very efficient on smooth surfaces and easy to maintain and look after. You can spend as little as $200 on a road bike, or as much as $12,000 (or more!).
Key Features
- Lightweight Aerodynamic Frames
- Weight 6-12 kg
- Stiff And Agile Bikes
- Skinny Tires
- Drop Handlebars
- High Gear Ratios
- Aggressive Riding Position
- Designed For Road Riding
What Is A Mountain Bike?
Mountain bikes are designed for off-road riding.
They have incredible control and are designed to tackle rough terrain. Like road bikes, they are one of the most popular choices for cyclists because they are very versatile and can be ridden practically anywhere.
Mountain bikes are the choice of cyclists who don’t want to be on the roads. They are for anything from dusty paths to forest trials. Many cyclists choose them because they keep you away from traffic and let you explore places you wouldn’t be able to on other bikes.
Mountain bikes come in many different types for different types of off-road riding, such as cross-country, enduro, downhill, and trails.
- Interested in buying your first mountain bike? Check out How To Choose The Perfect Mountain Bike For You here!
Key Features
- Strong Frames Designed For Rough Conditions
- Weight 10-18 kg
- Designed For Control
- Wide Knobby Tires
- Flat Handlebars
- Low Gear Ratios
- Upright Riding Position
- Designed For Off-Road Riding
Road Bike Vs Mountain Bike: 9 Key Differences Explained
Now you know a little about both mountain bikes and road bikes, let’s break it down so you can really understand the differences between a road bike vs mountain bike.
Here’s what you need to know:
#1. Terrain
When it comes to road vs mountain bikes, they are both designed for very different terrains.
Road bikes are only designed to be ridden on roads or very smooth surfaces, and mountain bikes are ridden on off-road surfaces and loose terrain.
Although you could take a road bike off-road, it’s going to be a very unpleasant experience as it won’t be very forgiving. A mountain bike could easily work on the road, but it will be laggy and slow.
If you’re looking for something to bridge the gap, a gravel bike might be what you’re looking for!
#2. Geometry
Geometry is the way a bike is designed and the position it puts the rider in, and it’s important to speak about when it comes to a mountain bike vs road bike comparison.
Road bikes generally have quite an aggressive geometry. This is to put the rider in an aerodynamic position and enhance their speed as much as possible.
Mountain bikes are designed to have a more relaxed geometry which puts the rider in a position of control by giving them a better center of gravity. They are much easier to handle and shift your weight around, but don’t give much when it comes to aerodynamics.
#3. Suspension
Next, we have suspension.
On mountain bikes, this is usually an important part of the bike and allows the rider to roll over rocks and control the bike on undulating surfaces.
Some mountain bikes have suspension on the front and rear (full suspension), and some just have suspension on the front wheel (hardtail).
A couple of the top brands currently making suspension for bikes are Fox and RockShox. You will see them on all kinds of bikes and they are excellent components.
Road bikes typically don’t come with suspension. They don’t require it as the roads typically ridden on are smooth and not rough. Also, suspension components weigh a fair amount, slowing the bike down and making it much less efficient on smooth terrain.
#4. Handlebars
One of the biggest differences between mountain bikes and road bikes is the handlebars.
Road bikes almost always have “drop handlebars”. These wrap back on themselves and offer the rider multiple positions to use, from a relaxed upright position to an aggressive aerodynamic tuck.
Mountain bikes generally come with flat handlebars. This is where you just have one straight bar, giving you one position. They are much wider and offer you much better control and the rider a much better stance to move around the bike, but are less aerodynamic.
#5. Tires
One of the major differences when it comes to a road bike vs mountain bike is the width of the tires.
Road bikes come with thin, slick tires, which are very aerodynamic and offer excellent grip on tarmac and little roll on tight corners. They are typically between 23 and 28 mm in width and have pressures up to 100 psi.
Mountain bikes come with larger knobby tires. With a wider surface area, you get much more grip, especially when it comes to loose terrain. They range from 1.95” to 3”, and can run pressures as low as 20 psi to help soak up impacts.
#6. Brakes
Although in modern times both bikes share similar braking systems, that hasn’t always been the case.
Mountain bikes are historically better equipped when it comes to braking. They will almost always use disc brakes and typically sport larger rotors and more powerful calipers.
Road bikes either come with rim brakes or disc brakes, with the latter becoming more popular on modern high-end road bikes.
They will have smaller rotors and calipers as they don’t need the power compared to a mountain bike which is designed for off-road riding. As far as mountain bike vs road bikes are concerned, mountain bikes typically have more powerful brakes.
#7. Components
The components of a road bike vs mountain bike groupset differ greatly.
Road bikes have what we call “brifters“, where the brakes and shifters are combined, and mountain bikes typically have thumb shifters or twist shifters, with the brakes separate.
You will also find mountain bikes with unique components that are uncommon on road bikes, such as fork lockouts for the suspension and dropper posts that drop the saddle while riding so you can lower your center of gravity on descents.
#8. Gearing Ratios
Regarding gear ratios, we have a very big difference between road and mountain bikes.
Road bikes are geared for a wide range which focuses on climbing and descending, but the ratio of gearing is focused on higher speed, and therefore classed as “high ratio”.
Mountain bikes, on the other hand, are usually built with a low ratio. They have an amazing ability to get up steep hills and tackle loose terrain, but often lack the higher ratios that a road bike would have when it comes to descending.
#9. Wheel Sizing
When it comes to road bike vs mountain bike wheel sizes, there are some key differences.
Road bike wheels will almost always be 700c, and you won’t find any other sizes on adult road bikes coming from the bigger bike manufacturers.
Modern mountain bikes tend to use 29”, 27.5”, or 26” wheels.
29” is technically the same as 700c, but the wheels used by mountain bikes will be much wider. The 27.5” and 26” are smaller sizes for different types of off-road bikes, giving better acceleration and control at lower speeds.
Some even use different sizes for the front and rear wheels, known as “mullet bikes”.
Road Vs Mountain Bike: Which One Is Right For You?
When it comes to picking between a road and a mountain bike, the answer comes from the terrain you want to ride on.
We recommend a road bike if you plan to ride on the road. If you plan to ride off-road, then we recommend a mountain bike.
If you are unsure where you want to ride, you might want to consider a multi-terrain bike, such as a gravel bike or a hybrid bike. These offer the best of both worlds and give you the ability to be efficient on and off-road.
