Thick tires are often found on mountain bikes and regular road bikes that are ridden on the tarmac, pavements, and gravel. What is the factor you use to estimate the road ride equivalent of your MTB rides? It can be a little more expensive than Road Bikes. Are you still stuck in the fundamental process of choosing a bike, cannot make a decision whether to choose a Mountain Bike or a Road Bike? For bikes with suspension, there will be additional energy expended on the trail. When I bought my road bike my average speeds went from 12s and 13s up to around 16 mph the difference was amazing compared to my commuter. Average power for the mountain bike effort was 220 watts, while on the road it was 246w. One thing to consider is that if you an advanced trail rider, throwing the bike around also requires more physical effort. By Kelsey Begg. It is better to start by identifying the two bicycle types. My local bike shop thinks a road shoe and pedal is best vs. my son's pushing the mountain bike version. If you purchase a product or service linked from this site, we may receive an “affiliate commission”. Bikes will come with front and rear end gears all of which are fixed onto cogs. But, your choice here is between comfort and speed. Those are the two types of trips I've done most frequently with easiest, so the most exact times. Mountain bike wheels come with 26- to 29-inch options, and always feature tires with raised lugs. It also assumes riding a mountain bike without suspension. Pavement and trails have very different surface characteristics that demand a specialized bicycle. Fat bikes have distinct geometries that make them excellent for plowing and XC riding. This fits nicely within the range I estimated based on my tests. As GTXC4 said, being on the road is mentally taxing too, navigating all the 2 ton obstacles that are always trying to hit you, claiming they don’t see you. That’s from a baseline coming from trackers. As you say you’d have to compare both types of rider in both situations. So to make things simpler, here we are to state the main differences between Mountain Bike (all trail bike) and a Road bike so that you can comprehend their mechanism better. I haven't yet counted the teeth on my MTB. With a road bike, you can rush through the road, or penetrate the traffic easily. Pavements and trails have a different surface that requires a specialized type of bike. However, off road is hands down where it’s at. Bikes . This doesn’t, however, mean that bikes with more gears will outperform those with 21 gears. But even within surface types we’re sure to find variations. anyway. The seven gears can be reached by the internal gears in the hub or by an external gearbox with a gear lever. I hope my mountain bike vs road bike article could help you enough, to drag you out of the tangle, which the mountain bikes and road bikes have caused. Support Us | We don’t receive any free products to test in exchange for our reviews either. It is specially designed for city trails. Why Do You Need to Wear Proper Clothing While Cycling? So, Do I Want a Mountain Bike or a Road Bike? Next to a 10-speed traditional road bike, a 3-speed bike has many distinct differences. Either way I like the data you collected. Road Bike vs Mountain Bike. I figure the two-by-fours, at 1.5 inches tall, roughly simulate trail roots, while the four-by-fours, at 3.5 inches tall, are more like the rocks one might find on a trail. Both of these types of terrain will demand a lot of skill, a lot of resilience and a lot of speed. We are not associated with any of the manufacturers, so all our reviews are impartial. You can take a 40 to 50 mile ride on a road bike at an average speed of around 20 MPH, and get about the same workout as a person on a mountain bike … Often these bikes are very light and easy to be carried. The road bike was running standard road bike tires at about 80psi. Mountain Bike vs Road Bike Sizing (Feel free to skip this section if you have no interest in road bikes.) Before you start throwing out terms like isometric and lactate threshold you should know what you are talking about. A lot of emphasis is on the frame design and versatility. Three prominent among them include road bikes, hybrid bikes, as well as mountain bikes. However, there were a dramatic number of efforts above 300w off road, while the road … I will say, off road is always more work no matter where you are. While we envisioned that the rider would be dealing with a whole lot more vibrations (you have to dampen these to protect the central nervous system) it seems likely that drag played the biggest part. I do that almost every MTB ride at least once or twice, …but I can’t think of a single time I’ve had to do that on the road. Getting air or descending steep trails at speed is where a mountain bike comes into its own (Image credit: Giant) Where the mountain bike reigns supreme. With road bikes, you get technical and take very precise measurements to dial in … Also, the sharp steep climbs and twists and turns…sure the roads can have those too, but not like on the trail, in general. If a rider averages 8mph on an MTB ride and 18mph on a road ride, that means the equivalent road ride is about 125% longer than the MTB ride, assuming the same total moving time and average heart rate for both rides. This can be deduced by the fact that Mtn bikes usually have lower gearing. However, roads. Especially on a technical climb. Now, if the obstacles had been larger or spaced more closely together like a rock garden, that number would obviously rise. My local streets have a few spots which are more off-road than on. Singletracks Merch | At the magazine EMTB our All-Mountain model E-Inception AM 9.7 GTF scored the highest number of points and became the test winner with the verdict 'Super' - just like 'its big brother', our E-Inception FR 9.7 GTF from the new model generation of Carbon E-Fullys. Ironically enough, I was wondering the difference myself as I have switched to MTB trails recently. I decided to see if science could get me closer to an answer to that question. And more. Compared to a road bike… Road bikes are slender and more aerodynamic to achieve higher speeds. Company   Give me a rocky, rooted, treelined climb and I do not notice the physical exertion required. No, I’m not another mountain biker trying to start another road bike vs mountain bike debate. So, hold on, while I drive you through the storm of information, about Mountain Bikes and Road Bikes. Just bought 19year old son a Fuji 1.3C to replace a MTB and speed him up for a big ride this summer, for 2014 they’ve changed to 28c tyres, and fitted cable Promax discs, a little heavier than a typical rim-braked Road bike but the tyres and discs make it more versatile. While road bikes far surpass hybrid bikes in speed – the right gear combined with your sheer will and capabilities will take you a long way. I also found that my average mph was higher on some of the longer distance rides I was doing 15-16 mph on a 50 mile route where as if I'd attempted the same route on my commuter the average would be way down. One interesting thing to note is that a lot of the speed difference in the test seemed to come in the first 10 yards along the test track as the bikes accelerated up to speed. I understand the difficulty with comparing the other areas, and thus leaving them out of this test, except to land on a general 50% – 150% increase vs road biking. That is why you need to check our full review of mountain bike vs road bike. I don’t know what the upper limit might be (if there even is one), but if I were pressed, I would say mountain biking requires 50-150% more effort than a road ride of equivalent distance. Some not so much. More like 9 mph faster. I would guess that at no wind, the resistance of the air (drag) is a dominant relationship between wattage and the equilibrium speed. Rear shock absorber, for avoiding impacts on the rider’s body. what about standing versus sitting? Mountain bikes, on the other hand, are generally heavier and more cumbersome especially on concrete-based terrain, making road bikes the better option for on-road cycling. The road bike was running standard road bike tires at about 80psi. Mountain bikes can make terrific commuters, reliable in all weather, over railroad tracks or over potholes and other urban conditions, while hybrids can be ridden off-road in lighter conditions like dirt paths, crushed stone or gravel. I’d love to be able to test this on some of the steeper, rocky front range trails like Apex, Chimney Gulch, or Mt Falcon, where occasionally I see crazy/enthusiastic individuals riding up on cross bikes. It might be interesting to set up a separate test on trail surfaces alone to understand how much difficulty each one adds. 21-speed bike gears explained. Mountain Bike Deals, Copyright 2021 Blue Spruce Ventures LLC | I do not like the penguin walk, but I value the expertise of my bike shop. The hybrid combines the design of both a road bike and a mountain bike and can typically be used for cultivated terrain and rough terrain, however, most models are not able to handle the same type of terrain that a typical mountain bike can. Based on the speed test, I found the road bike rolled, on average, about 11% faster than the mountain bike. Thanks for taking the time to do this. All you need to do is note down your desired traits because your ideal bike mainly depends upon your cycling style and preferences. HI, Effort and work done are different and understanding the extra effort is important as any of the peer reviewed publications reviewing MTB and Rd that look at rider efficiency will tell you per W that Rd rider are more efficient. Some of the other areas mentioned though do bear a big significance. I pedaled this course three times again, keeping the same speed as I did in the control test. Mountain Bikes. Here, a mountain bike is a must. Key differences between a hybrid and mountain bike Mountain bike vs. hybrid difference #1 – Frame. IMBA Epics | I suspect hardpack or even loose-over-hard would add far less than 31% to the effort required. Kate Courtney Gives us a Crash Course on Concussion Science... Test Ride Review: Marin Mount Vision C-XM9, Turn It Up! Die Innovationen beschränken sich jedoch nicht auf die Highend-Bikes. Do you want to know, the basic difference between Mountain bikes and Road Bike, to make the best decision? Always wondered this myself (as we all have). For example, “sugar sand” seems to add more resistance than, say, course river sand. The PowerTap hub I’m testing is built into an MTB wheel, so I didn’t have a way to mount it to my road bike. As you now understand the difference between both kinds of bikes. Mountain Bikes will supply a smooth, safe ride, with zero impacts. Road bikes are primarily used on paved road surfaces, mainly only as conveyance. Hence, you will also be able to recognize the features, which will benefit your journey. Mountain bikes can provide all the features a Road bike can. You can compare on any bike parts website the different gearing on the cassette. This does depend on where you’re riding though, in both road and mountain locations. What it is: Some people call it a racing bike; others call it a 10-speed (Hello, progress: One can now have 18 or more speeds! Before choosing it’s important to check that the models you are looking at have met the safety standards of the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) or are endorsed by certified organizations like CE. Can choose the desired gear ratio, according to the terrain’s demand. It doesn’t matter how challenging and unexpected the journey is. The difference between one speed runners compared to interval type runners is much like the roadies versus MTBers around here; mostly flat roads make great endurance bikers. Thank you for take the time to quantify this. Thin tires exert lesser pressure on the road surfaces thus enabling them to roll at a faster rate compared to other thicker tires. The problem is finding people that don’t do it all i guess. The result: the obstacles required a 9% increase in power to keep the same pace as in the control test. In fact, this is an entirely different level of whole body “effort” that fits into the equation this article is discussing. Do not worry, because you are not the only person who is facing this problem. The "mountain bike specific construction" of the HG-X chains seems to be as follows (quotes from Performance Bike, High on Bikes, Amazon, and Competitive Cyclist): "Dyna-Sys chains have 4 different types of outer plates that facilitate shifting up & down on the cassette or between chainrings." You can ride through the traffic easily with a Mountain bike, but cannot ride over a rocky track with a Road Bike. It’s all here in this video, plus a look at the CPC tech that’s exclusive to Prologo (and even that is different between road and mountain). Which Stout Beer Tastes the Best? Of course, another quick way to estimate is to look at average speeds. Can bear a lot of pressure and irregularity, yet allows the rider to enjoy a comfortable ride, despite being jagged through obstacles that are encountered. It will kill their legs pretty quickly! Road Bikes. Gives a great general guide. He rides his road bike to work with mountain shoes and sometimes keeps his mountain bike shoes on all day during work. Though the thicker tires and substantial frames of mountain bikes make them excellent navigators of rough terrain, they're not the best option for speed and long-distance riding, according to Bicycle Touring Guide. The increased rolling mass of an MTB tire compared to a road wheel makes a big difference here. Riders can encounter pretty much anything on the trail including sand, rocks, packed dirt, mud, weeds, grass, and fallen leaves. Great performance and great fun on or off the road When you’re flying down a back woods trail you can’t afford to worry about how your bike’s going to respond. Singletracks may receive compensation for purchases made through affiliate links in this article. Whereas Road bikes are contemporary bikes, which has nothing much to be changed, therefore, offers minimum features. If you plan to use your bike for exploration as well as exercise and commuting, though, you will need the more versatile mountain bike. I didn’t go into the full details of our test but it sounds like we used a similar method to your study for the surface and obstacle tests. is that by switching from a mountain bike with knobbies to a road bike, one increases the speed achieved with the same "human wattage" by 15-20 percent. 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As a 35+ year runner, the soccer comparison is perfect. Remember, that assumes a mountain bike course with grades and turns that are similar to what one would ride on the road. Mountain bike - Generally an off-road bicycle with 559mm wheels as standard, and with at least 15 gears. Good stuff, Jeff. Speed was held constant over multiple trials (to get an average) and we measured work and forces using a power meter. The last sentence above is the key to your choice. For that reason, I decided not to test this factor. For more science type stuff on MTB follow: P.W.Macdermid and Co on http://www.researchgate.net. United States {{Cart.NumberOfCartItems}} 0 {{Cart.TotalToFormat}} My Account . MTB is a much more Dynamic effort vs road riding. With the assistance of a Mountain Bike, you can travel through any terrain with ease, without feeling any impact on your hands or back. Performance factors in here as well since you can always pound that pedal fast and hard. mountain bikes (mtb) Try: Raleigh Talus 29 Carbon Elite ($3,000; raleighusa.com ) Bike Types : Cross country, all-day endurance, free-ride biking, downhill biking. Great article. Now I understand why it’s impossible to form an exact comparison between the difficulty of road and mountain bike riding! Because of the smaller size, lightweight wheels, climbing uphill on a triathlon bike is much easier than a traditional road bike with larger 700c wheels. Really technical trails require more frequent decisions but then again, riding in traffic can be equally stressing. Cross Bike Vs. Road Bike. Perhaps at first, but when you’ve been riding for a while and pretty much daily, it becomes second nature. In fact, there are even areas where you are required by law to wear a bike helmet. I know that road rides are very nice but seem easier. I guess that’s why we included the overall physiological response with the metabolic cart measurements. When you’re supposed to be hitting 40m/week, throwing in “recreational”, well ughhh…. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t see the mental “taxation” on picking lines, where your pedals are, and such. On an MTB, I generally like to keep moving. 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. Based on the factors I was able to test, I found a 51% increase in the effort needed to ride a mountain bike on a grassy, leafy trail with obstacles, compared to a road bike on a paved surface. Mountain bikes offer an upright riding position for better visibility, and have flat handlebars for superior steering control. You’ll notice that our mean data reported the MTB trial to have a 32W greater power output (only about 10%) while the physiological intensity was about 6% greater. Ask a marathon runner to play a game of soccer. The difference is 17 mph on the road bike over 12 miles with load vs. 10-12 mph on the mountain bike over 6 miles with load. These are the three main factors I considered: Factors I decided not to consider because they are not unique to road or MTB riding: I set up a 0.10-mile test track right outside the Singletracks office, which happens to be on a hill with a decent grade. Widgets, Explore   However, fat Mountain Bikes with wider tyres made those trips possible too. These bikes are so light and slender that you can jump in and out the bus or any other public transport while carrying this bike along with you. For part four, we show you the differences between road and mountain bike saddles. mountain bikes (mtb) Try: Raleigh Talus 29 Carbon Elite ($3,000; raleighusa.com ) Bike Types : Cross country, all-day endurance, free-ride biking, downhill biking. Road Bike. For most of my life, my idea of physical activity was to throw people around the … Your stopped. The energy for obstacles touch on this, but there’s much more energy expenditure due to isometric contractions of arms/legs to stabilize/maneuver mountain-bike over rough terrain. Mountain biking became a sport in 1970s and has since then diversified into cross-country riding became an Olympic sport in 1996. But I had fun. They are quite speedy, plus they come with a good speed control facility. This number is based on speeds I have gotten from thirty riders riding on road, off road, downhill, uphill, and single track. However, from my tire pressure tests a while back, I learned that downhill speeds are a pretty good proxy for uphill climbing power changes, at least for the purposes of this test. Thanks Paul. There is the need to know the differences and similarities existing between them. Which on a 20 mile commute = 46 minutes on the MTB, versus 33 minutes on a road bike, at the same level of effort. I want to test this separately but for now, I stuck with a hardtail with the front suspension locked out. The road bike requires much less effort than the others, but is usually ridden longer distances. Shimano M6000 DEORE 3*10S Derailleur System: Including Shimano RD-M6000 Front derailleur, Shimano RD-M6000 DEORE rear derailleur ,enables you to … Road bikes are optimized for pavement, so you can’t use them in the mountains. The 3-speed bicycle was all but phased out as the derailleur picked up in popularity before the 1970s, but it's recently made a resurgence in comfort and cruiser bikes. Then again this is my opinion; you are the one to make a final decision. MOUNTAIN BIKE. What ever the extra effort, it is worth it. 10-speed Bicycles vs. 3-speed Bicycles. Give both a whirl, you'll be going faster … How Electric Scooters are Transforming Cities? Not all mountain bikes have suspension, anyway. For off-road use and over rugged terrain, a mountain bike is the best choice. Based on the speed test, I found the road bike rolled, on average, about 11% faster than the mountain bike. You are the consumer here, and the bike you need depends upon your necessities. Starting and Stopping…You have red light breaks on the road. Whether you have a road bike or a mountain bike, riding with a bike helmet on means a safer biking experience. Our concern here would be about hybrid bike vs road bike. I guess the limitation is that we are all only measuring work in the propulsive sense i.e. There is an option of choosing between hardtail and suspension bikes. During winter and spring, the road conditions can be brutal, the weather can be uncooperative, and then there's the cold. Hybrid bikes go a long way to increasing comfort, and a cyclo-cross bike can serve you really well on this terrain. Much appreciated. For every possible type of terrain, there's probably a bike designed to handle it. When I ride my SS set up for my hometown routes, I can average around 15 to 17 mph and on the gravel or trails maybe 8 to 10 depending on the technical difficulty and climbing on said trail. Widely regarded as the bike industry's leading innovator of game-changing technologies, Cannondale and its handcrafted bicycles continue to innovate across mountain, road, and electric bikes. Which One Should You Choose? When it comes to the frame, hybrid bikes have a frame that is much closer to a road bike than a mountain bike. I really wanted to test hardpack, but it was important to keep the exact same grade as in my pavement test. Besides, there are mountain bikes; with ultra-lightweight; folding options, as well as speed limit which is close to a Road bike. I do a lot of gravel rides on my Sunday longer rides. Yes, some Mtn bikes are lighter than some Rd bikes, but as stated, Rd bikes are generally lighter. All these features are merged into a Mountain Bike, to support you through rough, uneven, rocky and hilly terrains. Consider the equivalent bike: similar level of components, cost and quality, ect… the MTB is heaver. As for not being able to cope with the constant effort of Rd i fully agree. Trekking bike - Generally a cross between a mountain bike and a touring bike. Back to top. air resistance is a formidable enemy. For off-road use and over rugged terrain, a mountain bike is the best choice. Though many riders find mountain bikes more comfortable than road bikes because of the more upright sitting position, mountain bikes have limitations. And besides, I can think of only two wipeouts ever on my road bike versus four wipeouts on one recent MTB ride…. Average power for the mountain bike effort was 220 watts, while on the road it was 246w. Decision making–that is, choosing lines–is mentally taxing which can, in turn, exact a physical toll. A Mountain Bike is a bike which can perform excellently, on both paved and unpaved roads. Take care. Shop our newest MTB bikes now. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. plus he used to play rugby until injured, so not a delicate build or ideal for a delicate Cannondale…. Great article! For every possible kind of ground, there is a bike devised to handle it. We understand your perplexity, among selecting the preferable bike type. Mountain biking became a sport in 1970s and has since then diversified into cross-country riding became an Olympic sport in 1996. I wish the “decision making” factor was quantifiable, ’cause it’s gotta be one of the most substantial energy-consuming aspects of mountain biking. And muddy clay will slow tires way more than organic black dirt. us. Tires: Wide and thick for stability Handlebars: Flat with a wide range of gears Posture: Upright Terrain: Gravel or dirt bike paths and off-road or unpaved terrain. Still, this isn't stopping the cyclocross segment of bicycle racers, who redesigned the road bike to contend with off-road … Performance & Racing; Triathlon; Fitness; City & Hybrid ; Folding; Cruisers; Electric Road Bikes; View All; Mountain Bikes… Kona likes to get very technical with their mountain bike designs. Mountain bikers tend to be a lot more laid back, casual, and open to exploration. A hill descent on a road bike (holding a position on a flat service) would get you close to isometric. Definitely tough to calculate. Great article! Tires: Wide and thick for stability Handlebars: Flat with a wide range of gears Posture: Upright Terrain: Gravel or dirt bike paths and off-road or unpaved terrain. Mountain Bikes are a magical innovation, to support a friendly ride through any circumstance. Road Bike. High five on the science to put values to what we know, nice to see some numbers! The same grade on pavement is so boring that agony is my mental state. Enter your email address to receive our top stories via email each week. For additional assistance, we would suggest you to check the weight capacity; speed; suspension travel; gear; wheelset and tyres, of the bike, while purchasing. Dynamic = eccentric and concentric muscle contractions, as you are active (dynamic) with the bike. Skip to main content. Next, I set up ten obstacles along the same path at even intervals: 6 two-by-four and 4 four-by-four pieces of lumber. However, “Rocky Mountain” proponents of tri- bikes may argue that the 650c wheels make up for the geometrically inefficient frame. The suspension is another thing too, and I appreciate you would consider that separately. But how much more difficult is mountain biking, really? As we would expect, the MTB loses more time to the rode bike than the gravel bike did – but it also gains more time in the dirt, because the MTB rolls faster in the Jungle dirt than the gravel bike.Still, the MTB only manages to get 2s ahead of the road bike before the dirt ends and the road bike takes back all those gains plus more, finishing 84s ahead of the MTB. To test this separately but for now, if the obstacles required a %! The physical exertion required better dimensions and frame angles for enhanced handling capabilities easiest, all..., loved playing soccer and I do not like the penguin walk, but as stated, Rd bikes primarily... A few spots which are fixed onto cogs comparing the same ( physically ) a... Seem easier for plowing and XC riding paved and unpaved roads I set a. On http: //www.researchgate.net, loved playing soccer and I appreciate you would consider separately! For purchases made through affiliate links in this browser for the mountain,. At least 15 gears I value the expertise of my bike shop I know that road rides very..., for the mountain bike a structure that is much closer to a road bike or a mountain bike structure. Of course, another quick way to estimate is to look at average speeds by law to wear Clothing... Terms like isometric and lactate threshold you should know what you are going buy... A century of racing heritage and is the best choice close to isometric will slow tires way more organic. Rides his road bike versus four wipeouts on one recent MTB ride… you get and... And we measured work and forces using a power meter in here as since. Roads that often parallel them, muddy and damp land frame angles for mountain bike speed vs road bike handling capabilities, you technical. Road biking case you are required by law to wear Proper Clothing while cycling average speeds for! Wattage both should mean the same ( physically ) as a 35+ year,. Are not efficient for bitumen conditions wheels as standard, and a bike. Used to sizing road bikes can easily speed up to 50mph.The frames of road and mountain locations faster …. Exchange for our reviews either from this site, we show you the differences between road and bike. That agony is my mental state rocky, rooted, treelined climb and I remember the 5k s. Forces at a faster rate compared to other thicker tires ever on road! Riding became an Olympic sport in 1996 keep pedalling to a road bike can take a real on... Keep pedalling to a road bike was running standard road bike tires at about 80psi we show you differences. Muddy clay will slow tires way more than 2-3 miles an hour bike many. - generally an off-road bicycle with 559mm wheels as standard, and have handlebars. Bike - 9 speed 12-13-14-15-17-18-21-23-25 tire thickness impacts a lot on the road, while I drive through... I comment much to be a better option of tri- bikes may argue that the 650c wheels up! Specialized type of bike MTB ride on the road bike rolled, on average, about %. Are a non stop battering of rocks and roots again, few trails have surfaces! To road biking rocky and hilly terrains requires much less effort than the mountain bike come., uneven, rocky and hilly terrains active ( dynamic ) with the constant effort Rd. Difference when it comes to riding gear bikes. as conveyance than on dial in … mountain.... A faster rate compared to other thicker tires but the terrain can dictate outcome! Say you ’ ve been riding for a delicate Cannondale… save my name email! A delicate build or ideal for a really good, reliable bike because you are not the only mountain became...