Mountain bikes were originally intended for off-road use. Today, however, some riders use them on roadways as road bikes for road trips or fitness reasons.
MTBs are typically heavy, featuring large knobby tires which provide excellent traction off-road but have extra rolling resistance on pavement. This requires you to exert greater effort just to maintain or increase speed.
1. It’s safer
Mountain bikes are designed for rough terrain, featuring robust frames and suspension forks as well as wide knobby tires with ample gripping surface area for optimal traction. Unfortunately, this makes rolling resistance an issue on paved roads, which makes maintaining high speeds challenging.
Furthermore, mountain bikes equipped with knobby tires may cause tire noise and have difficulty dealing with wet surfaces, leading to loss of traction which could put riders at risk of an accident.
Many people opt to ride their mountain bikes on the road as a cost-cutting measure or to save money, in order to avoid investing in another type of bicycle. With just minor adjustments, your mountain bike is suitable for pavement riding; just remember to wear your helmet and follow all applicable road rules in order to remain safe while cycling on well-kept roads and be wary of obstacles such as potholes, opening car doors or pedestrians as this will ensure an enjoyable and safe journey.
2. It’s more comfortable
Mountain bikes are purposefully built for off-road use, with wide knobby tires and suspension systems capable of easily taking on bumps, rocks, roots and other terrain obstacles.
As with anything, riding on unpaved roads can be more taxing on a bike than asphalt pavement, because mountain bikes’ suspension and gearing systems are specifically designed to absorb impact while road bikes’ were created for speed. Therefore, mountain bikes tend to have greater wear-and-tear wear on their brakes, shocks, and tires than road bikes.
If you enjoy road riding frequently, consider upgrading from knobby tires to smooth ones and installing a set of fenders to make your ride much more comfortable and increase pedaling efficiency on pavement surfaces. Inquire with local bicycle shop mechanics about outfitting your mountain bike appropriately for road use.
3. It’s more efficient
Mountain bikes make an excellent commuter choice as they help save on gas expenses while improving fitness levels and safeguarding the environment. Riding them also adds fun and is a healthy means of transportation; just be careful as mountain bikes’ tires tend to wear out faster on regular streets than other forms due to being designed specifically for rough terrains requiring more energy to move their wheels forward.
Mountain bikes typically weigh more than road bikes and feature wider knobby tires not designed for smooth pavement, making them less efficient and slower than road bikes. If speed is your top priority in biking environments that span both off-road and paved riding surfaces, however, then mountain bikes could be just what you’re looking for; everything depends on personal preferences and road conditions when making this decision.
4. It’s more fun
Riding a mountain bike on the street can be great fun, since these bikes were made to handle different terrain and bumps more comfortably than regular road bikes do. Plus, mountain bikes provide greater thrills because you can use them for jumps and turns!
However, it should be remembered that riding a mountain bike on the street can be uncomfortable or even unsafe due to their larger tires and heavier frames, making them less efficient or comfortable for riding on roads.
If you’re considering purchasing a mountain bike, adding slick road tires and wheels for use when riding on the streets may give you all of the benefits of both mountain and road biking without needing two separate bikes. As always, wear your helmet when riding on roads.
Chris is a passionate learner and writer. When he’s not working on his blog or learning something new, he’s a full-time systems administrator and father of two beautiful girls. Chris loves spending time with his family, reading, writing, and playing hockey.