What is the difference between road bike and mountain bike

Often road bikes lack this feature though there are road bikes available which also offer suspension. Both have a mechanism that locks your shoes on the paddle.

Mountain bike pedals have rather small cleats which make it easier to unlock. Road bikes have larger cleats increasing the contact surface between the shoe sole and the pedals. Road bike brakes have a shorter pull compared to mountain bikes.

Road bikes typically have mechanical disc-, caliper- of cantilever brakes where mountain bikes often have V-brakes or mechanical disc brakes. Each type of bike is designed for different circumstances and styles and even then still have subtle variations. Some bikes focus on speed, touring, comfort or are designed for gnarly shredding. Race bikes are lightweight bikes and fully stripped down to make them as light as possible. Their design is aerodynamic and focuses on speed rather than comfort.

The frames are stiffer and the wheels are thinner. Not really great for touring and steep terrain. Gravel bikes are capable of riding both off-road terrain and trails while keeping the ability to maintain speed at longer rides.

Their frames are stronger and can deal with rough terrain while the fork features a larger clearance allowing for wider and knobblier tires. Endurance bikes are meant for long distances and endurance. This is the type of bike you see in mass cycling contests and the geometry offers more comfort.

Touring bikes offer comfort when you want to travel long distances and offer a comfortable ride. Not suited for speed or racing and build to last. Trail mountain bikes are great for gnarly riders that ride trails and tracks.

Mountain bikes are harder to pedal and slower on pavement. But they have a cushy ride, an upright riding position, and can travel easily on a wide variety of surfaces. Hybrid or cross bikes are almost as fast and easy to pedal as a road bike, while being almost as comfortable and versatile as a mountain bike. Comfort bikes are just that—comfortable. They are less efficient, but sitting on one is much more comfortable.

Cruisers are fun to look at and, when ridden at a relaxed pace, they are ideal for admiring the scenery, exploring the neighborhood or beach. Recumbents are quite comfortable, and very fast. They sit so low to the ground that visibility in traffic can be an issue, and they require some learning to be operated with maximum efficiency. Here are some of the big categories of bikes, and some things to think about before buying.

From there you can drill down to the best model choices. For some more unique styles, scroll to the end to find out what they are all about. More in depth on Road Bikes. Paved roads and streets, paved paths, smooth paths.

More in depth on Recumbents. Double Your Pleasure. A hardtail mountain bike features suspension in the front, while a full-suspension mountain bike has shock absorption for both wheels. Mountain bikes usually feature flat handlebars, which place the rider in an upright position for balance and control. The most immediate difference between road and mountain bikes are the wheels. Mountain bike wheels come with to inch options, and always feature tires with raised lugs.

These lugs act like teeth for loose soil, digging in and providing traction and grip where the smooth tires on a road bike would slip. A road bike uses narrower tires without lugs, which provide adequate grip and control on the pavement. The characteristics that make mountain bikes much more comfortable off road also translate to pavement and bike paths, making them a popular choice for casual commuters.

It'll never go as fast as a road bike, but the riding position and shock absorption make short work of potholes and curbs. Road bikes are the ideal choice if you ride exclusively on pavement and want a faster bike, as they'll make pedaling and climbing hills much easier.

Their light weight also makes them easy to control at higher speeds. Fitness Training Cycling.