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This article explains the differences, pros, and cons of road vs. mountain bikes. I have experience with both bike types and spend a lot of time among road cyclists and mountain bikers, so I feel qualified to explain them in an easy-to-understand form.
KEY TAKEAWAY
The main difference between road and mountain bikes is that road bikes are suitable only for paved roads. Mountain bikes are more versatile thanks to wider tires and suspension. Road bikes use drop bars, but mountain bikes have wide flat bars. They also have different gearing and geometry. I recommend using a road bike on paved roads and if you are all about speed. Choose a mountain bike if you want to ride off-road.
Quick Comparison of Road vs. Mountain Bikes
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 or upright 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 | Great | Good | 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 | Good | 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 are suitable for paved roads because of their 700c wheels with narrow and smooth tires. They have sporty geometry that allows you to sit in an aerodynamic position. This position is faster than the upright position on hybrid or mountain bikes but similar to gravel bikes.
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.
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.
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| Road Bikes | • Excel on paved roads thanks to narrow tires and aerodynamic riding position • Are more aerodynamic • Are lighter | • 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 | • Are versatile (i.e., suitable for a wide range of terrains) thanks to the wide tire clearance and tires • Have suspension fork (and rear suspension) • Often have a more relaxed geometry • Are more comfortable than road bikes | • Are not as fast (especially on paved surfaces) • Are less aerodynamic • Are heavier |
Features Comparison of Mountain vs. Road Bikes
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:
The ‘endurance’ and ‘performance’ geometry of road bikes differ. The endurance one is more relaxed and allows you to ride in a more upright position. It has a higher stack and shorter reach. However, the riding position is still not as upright as on hybrid bikes. Performance geometry is suitable for racing road bikes. It has a larger drop and longer reach, pushing the rider into a more aerodynamic and faster riding position.
The basic categorization of mountain bikes is as follows:
- Cross-country mountain bikes
- Trail mountain bikes
- Enduro mountain bikes
- Downhill mountain bikes
Their geometry is vastly different (more upright) than road bikes. Mountain bikers require a different center of gravity depending on the terrain. 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.
And here is my trying to do the same:
Mountain biking is different. It’s all about handling, stability, comfort, and reliability. No wonder it is so popular! When choosing a mountain bike, you must consider the terrain in which you want to ride most often.
Wheels and 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. Mountain bikes use 26″, 27.5″ or 29″ wheels with wide, knobby, high-volume tires. The 29-inch are among the most popular ones.
Here is the comparison of different wheel sizes.
Nowadays, 25 and 28-mm tires are standard among road cyclists (21 and 23-mm were popular not so long ago). However, wider, 30 to 32-mm tires are becoming increasingly popular.
TIP: Learn more about the tire and rim width in road cycling.
You can run wider tires on lower pressures so they can absorb more bumps and vibrations, leading to a more comfortable ride. Therefore, many bike brands have started to equip their road bikes with 28mm or even 32mm tires.
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. Choosing the optimal thread for your preferred terrain is a discipline on its own and often requires a lot of experimentation.
Handlebar
Flat vs. drop handlebars are one of the biggest differences between road and mountain bikes. Drop bars curve downward and offer multiple hand positions for various scenarios (climbing, spriting, riding on flats). They allow efficient riding position but provide less control on rough terrain and encourage a forward-leaning posture.
Mountain bike handlebars, typically flat or riser bars, are wider for better stability and control in terrain. They support an upright posture for comfort and visibility but create more wind resistance, making them less efficient for speed and long-distance road cycling.
Gearing
Road bikes usually come with 2X drivetrains (2×11spd or 2×12spd). You will encounter groupset manufacturers like Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo, as well as electronic or mechanical groupsets.
The following table shows the overview of road bike groupsets from major 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.
Mountain bikes, on the other hand, 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.
The following table shows the overview of mountain bike groupsets from major manufacturers.
| 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. They often need to ride in the saddle so they need easier gears.
Brakes
Mountain bikes almost exclusively have disc brakes. This also applies to most new road bikes. (Source) Rim brakes became obsolete on road bikes, and only budget mountain bikes come equipped with them.
The main difference between disc and rim brakes is their weight and effectiveness in wet conditions. Rim brakes are lighter but less effective, especially with carbon road bike wheels. Disc brakes can provide better-stopping power but are more expensive. There are also different disc brake types. More affordable bikes come with mechanical ones, and the more expensive ones with hydraulic ones. To learn more, you can read my comparison of hydraulic vs. mechanical disc brakes.
Suspension
Road bikes usually don’t offer any suspension. There are exceptions, like Specialized’s Future Shock suspension headset on Roubaix road bikes, Trek’s IsoSpeed suspension, or Canyon’s VCLS seatposts. But these features come nowhere close to mountain bike suspension.
When it comes to suspension, there are two types of mountain bikes to consider:
- Hardtail mountain bikes (only front suspension)
- Full suspension mountain bikes (front and rear suspension)
Hardtail mountain bikes are lighter and offer more efficient power transfer. However, they don’t allow you to ride on as technical terrain as full suspension bikes. The full-suspension ones 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 frames mostly made of aluminum or carbon. Steel and titanium are in the minority. But these are the four most used bike frame materials.
Aluminum is a cheap and relatively lightweight material suitable for entry-level bikes. It is used 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.
In the end, the choice depends on your budget. Aluminum is a good entry-level. Carbon frames are more expensive and, therefore, more popular among those who love cycling.
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. For example, you can find a kickstand on budget road and mountain bikes. You won’t find these features on high-end models, though.
Conclusion
Mountain bikes are the most versatile bike type. They excel off-road, but they also require more effort to ride the same distance as road bikes due to their wide tires, which have higher rolling resistance, higher weight, and worse aerodynamics.
However, choosing between a mountain bike and a road bike should be easier than deciding between a gravel bike and a road bike, for example. This is because mountain bikes and road bikes serve entirely different purposes. Road bikes are only suitable for paved surfaces but are the fastest bike type. They require less effort to cover long distances.
Sometimes, a road bike with enough tire clearance for knobby tires might work for light gravel, dirt, or forest paths. But it will always be more limiting. If you want to continue with your research, I recommend reading my in-depth guides on:
Eventually, you can:
Comment below which bike type is better for you and why.
