2007-10-13 06:35:53 · 8 answers · asked by DivCW 2 in Sports ➔ Cycling
A road bike has tracks on the tires specifically designed for riding around town or in the park. A mountain bike's tracks usually are rougher and designed for handling the dirt roads that you would find on mountains. You don't only have to use a mountain bike for going in the mountains though. Also road bikes usually are faster than mountain bikes because they don't have to endure the slow journey of dirt or mountains.
2007-10-13 06:46:10 · answer #1 · answered by This Is How The World Ends 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They can both be used in either terrain, but the results are not the best. There is a branch of cycling called Cyclocross, which is basically racing road bikes on a dirt/mud/grass track. They fit road bikes with knobbly tires to get better grip. These races are hardcore. Mountain bikes can easily handle paved roads, but they will go slower than a road bike. The frame design is made to give the rider a more stable riding position and more clearance when going out of the saddle. The larger tires help in creating a smoother ride, more grip, and protecting the rim. But they're no good when you have to fight the wind or go fast. These are just a few differences. The bottom line is that each bike is specific for the job. Road bikes are for speed and distance. Mountain bikes are for going off road and handling obstacles.
2016-05-22 05:51:42 · answer #2 · answered by patrice 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of it has already been addressed.
Road bikes are meant to be riden fast on paved roads. The geometry and everything is geared towards that. The gear ratio (how hard is it to pedal vs how much momentum you get) is more toward speed. The riding you do is a lot of cardio, aerobic exercise.
The frames tend to be very light, aluminium, titanium or carbon fiber. Most bikes have a carbon fiber fork to absorb the road clatter. They have like 29" tires, very thin inflated to a lot of pressure. The position you will be riding is more stretched out to gain more speed.
Mountain biking can be a lot different. The excercise itself is different. You make more upper body strength (you need to move the bike around more than in the road), it's more anaerobic because you vary the tempo a lot more, depending on the trail.
Mountain bikes themselves are heavier because they need to stand more to the abuses of riding off road. They usually have smaller tires (26" is the norm, while there are some 29"), but the tires themselvers are wider to provide better traction on several surfaces, and the tire tend to have knobs.
While there are some tough as nails mountain bikers that like to ride on rigid singlespeeds, most bikes have at least a suspension fork (suspension on the front wheel), and also rear shock (suspension on the rear wheel). Depending on the riding you want to do and the terrain, a full suspension bike can provide excelent traction. Suspension is not just to make it confortable, but to make it safer and provide better traction.
Geometry wise they tend to be very different, I think. Mountain bikes tend to have a slacker geometry to make steering more stable, the frame would be probably smaller than a road bike because you need to move it around some obstacles.
The gears are different between a road and a mountain bike. Brakes, usualy road bikes the use of linear pull brakes is more than enough, but on mountain bikes, disc brakes rule because you tend to use them more on downhill sections, and the modulation provided by a good disc brake will make a difference.
2007-10-13 13:39:46 · answer #3 · answered by Roberto 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A mountain bike usually has a front and back shock absorbers, as well as front and rear brakes. A road bike usually has either front shock absorbers, or none at all.
The tires can be different too. Mountain bikes have "serrated" tires for better grips with deep pockets in them. Most road bikes are just a tire w/o treads.
2007-10-13 11:44:45 · answer #4 · answered by Rifleman 129 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In general a road bike is designed and optimized for relatively high speed, on-road usage. A mountain bike is designed and optimized for off-road usage.
A mountain bike will have flat, wide handlebars to provide good control with an upright stance. A road bike will have ram's horn handlebars allowing you to sit in an aerodynamic stance.
Many mountain bike will have a front shock. Others may have a rear shock, as well. The shocks are designed to absorb impacts of roots, rocks and other bumps on the trail. A road bike is designed for riding on smooth asphalt and will have no suspension.
A mountain bike will usually have 26" wheels with tires that range in width from about 1.25" to 2.5". The large volume tires are designed to absorb bumps and often have knobbies to provide traction on rough surfaces. Most mountain bikes put between 30 and 50 pounds of pressure in their tires to provide the best grip and softest ride. A road bike will have 700C wheels which are approximately 27". Their tires will range in width from less than an inch to perhaps an inch and 1/4. The tires usually have a smooth tread for high speed on smooth surfaces. Most riders put in excess of 100 pounds of pressure in the tires to emphasize low rolling resistance and high speed.
A road bike is built lightly to facilliate high speed. A mountain bike will be somewhat heavier to provide sturdyness.
There are also significant differences in the people who ride road bikes and mountain bikes. According to road bikers, mountain bikers are hulking brutes with hairy knuckles. According to mountain bikers, road bikers are effete snobs who shave their legs. The truth probably lies in between.
Hopefully this will give you the general picture.
2007-10-13 07:57:53 · answer #5 · answered by sfr1224 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Road bikes are built for speed.
Mountains bikes are built to ride up hills.
2007-10-13 17:03:44 · answer #6 · answered by Mattman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Road bikes are light, have no suspension, thinner wheels n tyres, they come with no pedals, and they cost more than MTB's!!
EDIT: Who gave the thumbs down to the guys above me???
People give reasonable answers and 'faceless cowards' thumb them down. I know 4 regular contributors who are often responsible for this - PACK IT IN AND GROW UP!!
2007-10-13 07:03:19 · answer #7 · answered by onlyme Mr G 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
mountain bike is more durable and has shock-absorbing springs
2007-10-13 06:43:03 · answer #8 · answered by >_> 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋