Do you have a mountain bike that you love to ride? Well, if you do, don’t you want to know if you can ride it on the road? If so, read on to see what we found out.
Riding a mountain bike on the road poses no danger to the rider and can be done, however, these bikes tend to be slower and louder than options designed to be ridden on the streets. Swapping out mountain tires with a more road-friendly pair can improve its performance on the road.
Want to know why this is? Well, keep reading below and see why mountain bikes can be ridden on regular roads and how to make them more suited for it.
How Do Mountain Bikes and Road Bikes Differ
When you are comparing the differences between a mountain bike and road bike, you will find that they seem to be fairly similar. However, when it comes down to versatility, the mountain bike makes a much bigger impact.
A mountain bike is designed for rougher terrain and is made to be ridden on a variety of different terrains as well. This makes it suitable for more trips than a road bike, which is mainly designed for smooth roads.
A road bike can feel limiting when you want to take your bike onto rougher roads, which the road bike won’t perform as well on. The mountain bike will shine on many terrains and is a better versatile option for weekend trips in new areas because it will be able to handle all types of roads that you might encounter even if you aren’t sure what the roads will be like.
The tires on these two types of bikes as well because they are made for different types of roads. Road bikes are given tires that perform better on smoother roads and are great at higher speeds.
Mountain bikes come with tires that are a bit wider and meant to handle rocks and gravel, which make it usable for tough off-roading terrain.
Mountain bike tires are also a bit more difficult to pedal, which can make them harder to ride at a faster pace while on the pavement. Road bikes are easier to pedal at high speeds and are designed to ride smoothly on regular pavement and asphalt, so they tend to be faster and easier to move.
Can Mountain Bikes Be Used on the Road?
Well, although it is not a good idea to ride a road bike on mountainous terrain, there is no reason why you should believe that riding your mountain bike on the street would pose any issues for you.
There are no safety reasons that make it dangerous to ride on regular roads, and because the tires are meant for tougher terrain, they will enable you to ride on uneven roads with ease.
However, because a mountain bike tends to move more slowly on pavements, it will be a little slower than a road bike would be. This won’t be much of an issue as you are not on freeways where you will need to go at higher speeds, but you will have to work a bit harder to keep up a suitable speed.
This can be a tough thing for some, but for those who are used to riding their bike on weekend trips or daily rides, it will just give you a little extra workout. If you are having trouble with riding your mountain bike with its regular tires, you could also choose to add tires that are made for smooth roads.
This will make the ride a bit smoother and allow you to pedal the bike a bit easier with less effort. This could give you a few extra miles per hour as you ride, which can get you to your destination in less time.
How to Pick the Best Bike for You
If you are in the middle of choosing which type of bike to pick, then you should look at the pros and cons of both options. You should also take a look at which option will be the best for the uses that you have in mind.
If you are an avid biker and want a choice that will allow you to have the ability to go just about anywhere, then the mountain bike might be your best bet. However, if you just want an option that will get you to the store and back for quick trips, then a road bike will likely be your first choice.
So, let’s take a look at what option will be the best for each situation.
Road Bike
If you are looking at a road bike, then the advantages that you can take into account are the speed and riding smoothness. These bikes are made for paved roads and are built for them specifically.
This means that the tires ride smoothly on the pavement and asphalt, which makes it easier to ride. This can be a major advantage if this will be for a younger rider who isn’t as experienced with riding.
It would also make a better option for teaching someone how to ride, whether they are younger or older because it is easier to pedal. This can make a big difference to a beginner rider and can make it easier to learn how to ride on.
However, a road bike doesn’t have the same versatility that a mountain bike does, which doesn’t make it a good option for advanced riders who like to take trips in the desert, to the beach, or in rocky areas.
The road bike is more limited in where you can ride it but makes a great city bike that can be used for short trips to the store, neighbor’s house, or a ride around the block.
Mountain Bike
A mountain bike is a better option for those who are looking for an adventurous bike that can be taken on long rides through many different areas. Because of the build of this type of bike, it can handle rough areas without having safety issues along the way.
A road bike would be dangerous to ride on uneven terrain since it is meant to only handle smooth roads, which could increase the risk of a bad fall. This can be a major problem as you ride on more dangerous terrain and could result in you having a terrible injury.
However, a mountain bike is an option that will be able to handle the rougher roads in the forest or desert areas, so you will be safe riding in those places.
You will still want to be careful anytime that you are on uneven ground, but being on a mountain bike will be easier to maneuver through these types of areas.
The cons of riding a mountain bike on regular roads are that they can be slower than a road bike. As mentioned, this is not a huge issue for many riders, but this can make it more difficult to pedal.
If you are wanting a leisurely bike ride through the streets of the city, then you will not want to take a mountain bike as it will be more of an exercise. Although changing the tires can help, it won’t make it the same as a road bike.
A mountain bike is also made to be a bit more durable in order to handle the tougher places that you can ride with this bike, so it will likely last a bit longer than a road bike, as long as you don’t have any major damage from a fall.
Final Thoughts
If you have a mountain bike and have been wondering if it is safe to ride it on a regular road, you now know that there is no reason not to. With the durable body and wider tires, this durable option will be able to ride on smooth roads nicely.
However, you want to think about the extra effort you will put forth to take a mountain bike on the road. Though it is not a huge difference, it will be slower and more difficult to pedal.
If this is not something that you are willing to deal with, then you may want to decide on sticking to a road bike when you want to take a short trip into town. But, if you don’t mind getting a little more exercise on the way, then using your mountain bike will make a good alternative.
If you haven’t purchased a bike and you’re still thinking about which one will get more use, read through this article again to take a look at the pros and cons in order to make your final decision.
This will allow you to take all the advantages and disadvantages into account before choosing an option and ensure that the one you decide on is the right choice for you.
So, don’t think twice about taking your mountain bike on the road. If you want to take a trip, go ahead!
In addition to riding your mountain bike on the road, there are many other places that you might be considering as well. Make sure to take a look at my article Here Is Where You Can Ride A Mountain Bike Safely.
