This article compares the differences, benefits, and disadvantages of road bikes vs. mountain bikes.
I have experience with both bike types, and I spend a lot of time among road cyclists and mountain bikes, so I feel qualified to explain them in an easy-to-understand form.
After reading this article, you will know how they differ, where they excel, and their weaknesses.
Below, I also share my experience and tips to help you choose the right bike type for you.
In short: While road bikes are suitable only for paved roads, mountain bikes are versatile thanks to wider tires and suspension. Road bikes use drop bars, but mountain bikes have wide flat bars. Their gearing is different, as well as their geometry.
Continue reading to learn more.
Technical Specifications
Here is a summary of the main differences between road and mountain bikes (and other bike types).
| Feature | Road Bikes | Gravel Bikes | Hybrid Bikes | Mountain Bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geometry | Endurance or performance oriented | Endurance or performance oriented | Usually endurance Sometimes performance oriented | Usually more upright |
| Suitable for | Paved roads | Paved, gravel, dirt, or forest roads | Paved, gravel, dirt, or forest roads | All types of terrains |
| Unsuitable for | Most terrains except paved roads | MTB-like terrain | MTB-like terrain | Paved roads |
| Versatility | Low | Good | Great | Great |
| Gearing | 2X Sometimes 1X | 1X or 2X Sometimes 3X | 3X or 2X Sometimes 1X | 1X or 2X Sometimes 3X |
| Suspension | No suspension | Sometimes front suspension Occasionally suspension seat post | Sometimes front suspension | Front suspension Rear suspension |
| Brakes | Disc or rim | Usually disc brakes | Disc or rim | Disc or rim |
| Maneuverability | Good | Good | Great | Great |
| Relative comfort | Bad | Bad | Good | Great |
| Handlebars | Dropped | Dropped | Flat or curved | Flat |
| Tyres | Narrow | Narrow or wide | Narrow or wide | Wide |
| Wheels diameter | 700c | 650b, 700c | 700c, 26″ | 26″, 27.5″, 29″ |
| Browse | Road Bikes | Gravel Bikes | Hybrid Bikes | Mountain Bikes |
Road Bikes Overview
Road bikes are suitable for paved roads because of their 700c wheels with narrow and smooth tires.
They have a sporty geometry (short stack and long reach) that allows you to sit in an aerodynamic position. It’s faster than an upright position on mountain bikes.
Road bikes use drop bars that are suitable for multiple hand positions.
Many of today’s road bikes have wider tire clearances (up to 32 or 36mm) than road bikes from a decade ago (up to 25 mm).
Road bikes are the fastest bike type on paved roads, allowing you to ride long distances without much effort.
Road Bike Pros
- Excel on paved roads thanks to narrow tires and aerodynamic riding position
- Are more aerodynamic
- Are lighter
Road Bike Cons
- Unsuitable for terrain
- The riding position may not be comfortable for less flexible riders
- Less comfortable ride due to the lack of suspension and narrow tires
- Have narrower tire clearance
- Offer worse compatibility with additional accessories like panniers, fenders, etc.
Mountain Bikes Overview
Mountain bikes (also called MTBs) are suitable for various terrains. Together with gravel bikes, it’s the most versatile bike type.
Their versatility and riding comfort come from wide, high-volume tires and front (eventually also rear) suspension.
Mountain bikes are suitable for terrain like trails, single tracks, forest roads, etc. However, you can also use them on paved roads. But it will take more effort to reach the same speed as on a road bike.
Hardtail mountain bikes only have a suspension fork, but full-suspension MTBs also have rear suspension.
Here is a quick overview of the pros & cons of MTBs.
Mountain Bike Pros
- Are versatile (i.e., suitable for a wide range of terrains) thanks to the wide tires
- Have suspension fork (and rear suspension)
- Often have a more relaxed geometry
- Are more comfortable than road bikes
Mountain Bike Cons
- Are not as fast (especially on paved surfaces)
- Are less aerodynamic
- Are heavier
Features Comparison
Let me now compare both bike types in depth.
Geometry and Riding Position
Both bike types include multiple subtypes. Here are the basic types of road bikes:
Let’s talk about ‘endurance’ and ‘performance’ road bikes (the performance geometry also applies to aero road bikes).
The endurance one is more relaxed and allows you to ride in a more upright riding position. It has a higher stack and shorter reach. But the riding position is still not as upright as on hybrid bikes.
Performance geometry is suitable for racing road bikes. They have a larger drop and longer reach.
The basic categorization of mountain bikes is on:
- Cross-country
- Trail
- Enduro
- Downhill
Their geometry is vastly different (more upright) than road bikes. Mountain bikers require a different center of gravity depending on the terrain they will ride.
For example, downhill MTBs have longer fork travel (to absorb large jumps and bumps) and push the rider’s center of gravity to the rear (to tackle steep descents).
| Type of Mountain Bike | Suspension Travel |
|---|---|
| Cross-country | 90-120mm |
| Trail | 120-150mm |
| All-Mountain/Enduro | 150-180mm |
| Downhill | 180-200mm |
In road cycling, (almost) everything is about weight and aerodynamics (and stiffness). This means that the ideal (and therefore the fastest) riding position is when you reduce the frontal area.
An excellent example is Remco Evenepoel, the 2022 UCI World Road Race Champion, who has a super-aero riding position.
Mountain bikes, on the other hand, are all about handling, stability, comfort, and reliability. No wonder mountain biking is so popular.
You have to consider the terrain you want to ride in the most often when choosing an MTB type.
Wheels & Tires
Wheels and tires are one the biggest differences between mountain and road bikes.
Road bikes use almost exclusively 700c wheels (except smaller bike sizes that may use smaller, 27.5” wheels) and smooth tires.
Nowadays, 25 and 28-mm tires are popular among road cyclists (21 and 23-mm were popular not so long ago). However, wider tires will probably become a standard in the following years.
Mountain bikes use 26″, 27.5″ or 29″ wheels with wide, knobby, high-volume tires.
You can inflate high-volume tires at lower pressures so they can absorb more bumps and vibrations. This results in better overall riding comfort.
Mountain bike tires usually range from 1.9″ to 2.5″ wide (and up to 5″ on fat tire bikes). This width allows you to tackle almost any terrain.
Gearing
Road bikes usually come with 2X drivetrains (2×11spd or 2×12spd). They offer enough gears for most scenarios you encounter on a road bike.
The following table shows the groupset lines of major groupset manufacturers.
| Level | Shimano | SRAM | Campagnolo | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | Claris | Mechanical | ||
| Entry | Sora | Mechanical | ||
| Entry | Tiagra | Apex | Mechanical | |
| Mid-range | 105 11spd 105 12 spd 105 12 spd Di2¹ | Rival Rival eTap AXS¹ | Centaur | Mechanical |
| Mid-range | Force | Chorus | Mechanical | |
| Pro | Ultegra Di2 | Force eTap AXS | Chorus EPS | Electronic |
| Pro | RED | Record Super Record | Mechanical | |
| Pro | Dura-Ace Di2 | RED eTap AXS | Super Record EPS | Electronic |
¹Shimano 105 Di2 and Rival eTap AXS are electronic groupsets.
On the other hand, modern mountain bikes use 1X drivetrains, which are simpler to use, lighter, and easier to maintain.
Entry-level and beginner mountain bikes come with 2X or even 3X drivetrains. I don’t recommend the 3X MTBs because more things can go wrong.
| Shimano | SRAM | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry level | Tourney | Mechanical | |
| Entry level | Altus | Mechanical | |
| Entry level | Acera | X5 | Mechanical |
| Mid range | Alivio | X7 X9 | Mechanical |
| Mid range | Deore | NX GX | |
| Mid range | SLX | GX Eagle | Mechanical |
| Pro | XT | X1 | Mechanical |
| Pro | XT Di2 | X01 | Electronic |
| Pro | XTR | XX1 | Mechanical |
| Pro | XTR Di2 | X01 Eagle XX1 Eagle | Electronic |
Gears are easier on mountain bikes because mountain bikers often face steep climbs, and to keep traction, they have to ride in the saddle.
Those are the main reasons why MTB gears are easier.
Brakes
New road and mountain bikes come almost exclusively with disc brakes.
You may find some budget bikes with rim brakes, but they are becoming less popular.
Disc brakes are either mechanical or hydraulic. The hydraulic ones are more convenient but more expensive.
But I believe the difference is worth it, so save more if your budget is limited and pay for quality brakes.
They are one of the most crucial components of both bike types.
Suspension
Road bikes usually don’t offer any suspension.
There are exceptions, like Specialized with their Future Shock suspension headset on Roubaix road bikes, Trek with their IsoSpeed suspension, or Canyon with their VCLS seatposts.
Regarding suspension, we can distinguish two mountain bike types:
- Hardtail mountain bikes (only front suspension)
- Full suspension mountain bikes (front and rear suspension)
Hardtail MTBs are lighter and provide more efficient power transfer. However, they won’t allow you to ride as technical terrain as full suspension bikes.
Those also provide a whole new level of comfort. I remember the first time when I experienced the difference. It was mindblowing.
On the other hand, they are heavier and more complex. So again, you have to think about the terrain difficulty you will want to ride.
Frame Materials
Road and mountain bikes have mostly frames made of aluminum or carbon. Titanium and steel road and mountain bikes are not as common.
The used material depends mainly on the price range and type of bike.
Aluminum is cheap and relatively lightweight material suitable for entry-level bikes. You can find them on beginner road bikes and budget mountain bikes.
Carbon is stiffer and lighter but more expensive. It can absorb more vibrations contributing to a more comfortable ride. It’s more common on more expensive road and mountain bikes.
The question is, are carbon frames worth it?
I believe so, but only if you are a passionate cyclist with money to spend.
Accessories
Mountain and road bikes are not as accessories-friendly as gravel or hybrid bikes.
They usually don’t have additional mounts for panniers, a kickstand, or more than two bottle cages.
But as always, exceptions apply.
Road Bikes vs. Mountain Bikes FAQ
Conclusion
Mountain bikes are the most versatile bike type thanks to the wide range of terrains you can use them for.
On the other hand, they require more effort to ride the same distance as road bikes due to their higher weight, wide tires, and worse aerodynamics.
The choice between mountain vs. road bike should be easier than the choice between gravel and road bike, for example.
This is because MTBs and road bikes are suitable for completely different use.
Road bikes are only suitable for paved surfaces but are the fastest bike type. They don’t require as much effort to cover long distances.
Comment below which bike type is better for you and why.
