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Mountain bikes are ideal for riding off-road. However, most people like to ride them on road. They are practically designed only for mountain trails. There are various type of bike used for different categories of bike riding, but they all are considered within off-road domain.
In case you want to do some road biking but own a mountain bike, it makes you wonder if it can handle or operate as efficiently as a road bike with a rugged design. This article will help you understand whether you can use a mountain bike on road and how it can benefit you.
Mountain Bike VS Road Bike
Road bikes are designed to attain high speed. Therefore, they are lightweight and more aerodynamic. They come with smooth tires intended to decrease road resistance by increasing speed. Road bikes possess some geometric frame differences from mountain bikes.
Mountain bikes are designed to withstand tough trails and off-road conditions. They are sturdy, heavyweight, and come with knobby tires intended to conquer the tracks in the woods. Wheel style and frame weight are the main differences between both bikes.
Benefits of Using Mountain Bike on Pavement
You can ultimately ride your mountain bike on the road. However, many things can affect its performance. Among these factors, the mountain bike type is one of the most integral ones. For instance, hybrid comfort bikes can move rather well on urban streets. Trail bikes also work excellently, but they will be somewhat difficult to ride. Here is how mountain bikes help on the road:
Comfort
The main benefit of riding mountain bikes on roads is their incredible comfort. They can easily move over uneven mountain bike trails like rocks and potholes. You don’t have to be concerned about the vibrations from the ground as the durable mountain bike wheels absorb them. There are two types of mountain bikes, Hardtail and Full-suspension travel bikes. Hardtail mountain bikes don’t possess any suspension at their back. These are more common in less aggressive types of cross-country MTB bikes They’re also lightweight and move swiftly on paved roads.
A tail bike is an ideal choice if you want to ride on paved roads. Full-suspension mountain bikes are an ideal option for mountain bikers who prefer comfort over functionality. But, these are heavier and less maneuverable.
Capability
Mountain bikes are effectively capable wherever you take them. They can cross bikes trails you consider impassable. They can even move through small streams based on your skill level.
Sometimes paved roads possess many potholes or small bumps. This problem can cause severe injuries to many road cyclists. Fortunately, you don’t have to be concerned about such issues when riding a mountain bike. Mountain bikes can exceptionally move on rough mountain biking trails.
Safety
Mountain bikes are designed to absorb vibrations from the ground. It signifies that the ride will be more stable, and there are less chances of losing balance. These are a terrific option if you prefer safety over thrill because they move with maximum efficiency on all types of surfaces.
You should ensure that the tire pressure is hard. This offers enough traction to make sure the mountain bike doesn’t slip on the surface due to it’s soft tires. There are also fewer possibilities of tire damages due to the sidewalls.
Cons of Riding Mountain Bikes on Road
It isn’t inherently wrong to ride a mountain bike on the road. However, certain factors make mountain bikes more challenging while riding on road.
Speed
Speed is a drawback while riding a mountain bike on smooth surfaces. MTB are designed with bulky frames and are intended to handle stress from off-road tracks, which is why they are solid. Therefore, they are required to be heavyweight than a bar road bike.
You can’t get more speed like road bikes if you’re using a mountain bike on city streets. You can reach a maximum of 30 to 45 KPH with a mountain bike on the roads, which is much lower compared to the road bike speed limit.
Weight
Mountain bikes are heavyweight than compared to light road bikes. It means they are dull on the roads. The standard weight of a cross-country bike can range from 8 to 10 kg. Meanwhile, the trail bikes are 11 to 15 kg.
Downhill bikes are heavyweight and they can weigh more than 20 kg. In contrast, the average weight of a light road bike is 3 to 6 kg.
Maneuverability
Mountain bikes don’t offer much maneuverability on paved roads because of their particular handlebars, which are ideal for mountain trail riding. But they don’t work on highways. You must take extra care while riding a mountain bike on paved roads.
One of the most prominent issues with this bike is when the tip of its handlebar crashes into street posts or moving vehicles. The handlebars on a mountain bike are usually 700 to 800 mm wide.
It is wider compared to the 300 to 500 mm wide handlebar normally used for high-end road bikes. Narrow handlebar position are easy to handle and control on the road than wider ones, as they turn around easily.
Do Mountain Bikes Move Slower on Road?
Mountain bikes are exclusively designed for riding on rough roads and bumpy tracks, rather than on a smooth road, and that makes them slower than a road bike which is as the name implies designed to move fast on roads. There are some explanations for why a mountain bike moves slower on the road.
Weight
As mentioned before mountain bike weight a lot more than lighter road bikes. Therefore, they are slower to pedal.
Tires
The wider tires of mountain bikes offer an excellent grip on uneven mountain trails. However, it also makes them slow on a road terrain. The wide tires also possess low pressure.
Gear Ratio
The gear ratio on MTBs is adjusted for use on tough and uneven mountain trails. It is not ideal for riding on roads.
Body Position
Mountain bike riders’ body posture is not much aerodynamic as compared to road bike users. Mountain bikes offer a much more upright stance.
Suspension
The suspension on mountain bikes can lower its speed. It makes the bike difficult to pedal on smooth pavements.
Tips For Taking On The Road With Your Bike
You can follow these suggestions for while riding your mountain bike on the road.
Follow the Road Rules
Just because your mountain bike has remarkable capabilities on the road, you should always consider following the set rules and respect everything and everyone around you.
Make Slight Modifications
If you want to primarily ride your mountain bike on the street, it’s best to make a few modifications before doing so. There are numerous things you should go for, but a few simple improvements will make your ride a lot more satisfying. Many people are concerned about what other riders will think of them.
Occasionally Riding
Many people make a huge deal out of taking your mountain bikes for road riding. If you ride once in a while it is absolutely nothing to be concerned about. In case, you’re using your mountain bike to ride to a store or to get to any local trail, your bike does not need any modifications in this case.
So, Is It Possible To Use Mountain Bike on Pavement?
Riding a mountain bike for everyday use has become quite common. Mountain bikes are adaptable as you can use them on any terrain.
They might feel sluggish and heavy on the smooth surface. But that’s alright if you prefer comfort and safety over speed and bike performance.
However, it is most recommended that you use them on the trails. It will be more fun and convenient in the long run. You can get another inexpensive road bike if you’ll be on the roads more often.
