Biking has garnered immense popularity & respect in recent times. Though it came into existence in the early 19th century, since the, there is the two factions an increasing number of  people who showed some bit of strength & character to opt for biking. There is still a difference between both types of-  mountain & road bike & though, mountain bike can be one of the most effective & stamina building.

Difference Between Mountain Biking & Road Biking

People often get confused here regarding the main difference between mountain & road biking. Yes, there’s a lot of difference in the scenery but that isn’t what we should be bothered about when trying to find answers regarding the differences between the two disciplines. Mountain biking & road biking are two different sides of the pole & demands very different equipments. Mountain bikes are heavier & built to tolerate & pass through more abuse given the fact that mountain terrain is full of irregularities. The tyres are made thicker & with more lugs so as to get better traction. Also, the thickness ensures that the tyres will withstand more pressure from sharp objects on the trail. Many mountain bikes are made with suspension to absorb the impact. Road biking is done on smooth surface. The tyres that  run on these are slim & slick.there are no lugs to ensure lesser rolling resistance. The position in road biking is more of aerodynamic with the rider putting his/hands on the drop handlebar. Due to this, speed is maximized here. Such bikes ensure these types of bicycles are made for riding on pavement, are not built with shock absorbers & are not at all suitable for dirt roads.

What Is Mountain Biking?

Whether one is new to biking or a dedicated cycling person, knowledge on the different types of mountain biking styles is beneficial & needed. Choosing the right bike will ensure that you make the best & the most out of your ride. It is very important to know what mountain biking is before venturing out to the main topic. The five different types of biking disciplines are as under:

• CROSS COUNTRY

Being the most common type of mountain biking, it involves longer periods of riding time through the mountain trails. The roads are smoother compared to other mountain trails since there aren’t too many bumps. Though it does not include as many bumps as other forms of mountain biking, it requires more stamina & core strength.

Almost all cross country trails include long duration of climbing & descent down the mountain.

Cross country trails differs greatly, and ask bikers to make their way through mud filled narrow gravel paths open spaces in the same run, which indirectly test your ability to handle and control the bike. The right type of bike for this style will vary depending upon the particular trail & the skill level of the rider.

• ALL MOUNTAIN

This is for the ones who know to conquer the mountain trails & have adventure running deep in their veins & thoughts as it is highly action-packed style of biking. Involving more varying terrains & challenging obstacles, ‘All Mountain Biking’ is a highly unpredictable course & filled being very unpredictable and adventurous, requires high skills, balance-control and bravery.

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The bikes designed for ‘All Mountain Riding’ are generally full suspension for utmost comfort entirely with adventures. The bikes usually have thick wheels to prevent punctures & provide better grip & traction.

• DOWNHILL

As the name indicates, this involves the descending part of the mountain trail where the falls are deep down the trail. This is generally known for its speed. But, the focus & control to successfully get down the mountain at the fastest speed possible makes things achievable for the riders. As speed & control make ‘Downhill Biking’ successful, these bikes are uniquely designed & are easier to categorize.

• DIRT JUMP

Dirt Jump is done at a dirt park, which consists of various types of jumps. The dirt lines are placed close together, allowing the bikers to move easily from one level to another. This is about tricks & air. The challenge is to achieve the right speed to perform different tricks before landing on the other side & hence demands a lot of balance, high strength & control. Due to the basic nature of ‘Dirt Jump Biking’, the designs are very simple. The body is extremely light in weight & have sloping design which helps in increasing speed.

• FREE-RIDE

This discipling is very much similar to ‘Downhill’ & ‘Dirt Jump’ category & focuses on the art of mountain biking & tricks. Though, there are no specific rules & guidelines to follow, the riders can use their creativity & skills to take over. Freeride mountain biking is a very versatile discipline with bikes designed quite simply .

Why Should Mountain Bikers Go For Road Biking?

The five main reasons due to which mountain bikers should venture out for road biking are as follows:

• Accessibility

It is an obvious truth that we aren’t fortunate enough to live in areas with mountain bike trails on our doorstep. Thus, it makes us rely on transportation to other areas to get that sweet riding fix. There’s no problem at all with that apart from the fact that it can be expensive & a lot of time can be lost in traveling here & there. Instead of that, why not take the privilege of what we have right outside the door – road biking. Most of us have accessible roads near our houses. Thus, going outdoor for a quick hour on the road bike is the best fix to the biking hunger

• The Fitness Boost

Mountain bikers don’t go on cycling over the mountain 24×7 to keep in touch with biking. Yes, they train & visits to mountain trails are much more than we would make as common men. But, they keep up with road biking. This is because of road biking being a good source for cardio exercises. When road riding, it’s much easier to target the specific sectors of exercises thus intensifying the workout wherever needed..

• More fun, less maintenance
  

It is agreed that cycling on the trails gives a lot of fun as well as the adventure feel. Even if  the weather goes a bit rainy, the fun remains intact in mountain biking with the ride becoming more challenging in certain cases. But, under such conditions, the dirt can be damaging for the  components. Compared to such issues, roads are a much friendlier place when we talk about the maintenance of the bike – time taken will be less for cleaning as there will be not that much of dirt on them. This implies saving of both time & money which can be a good way to use it somewhere else.

• To making new friends

Bikers are an extremely friendly bunch of people as there spirits remain high & active always. A visit to any biking club in your city or town will introduce you to a welcoming group of riders who will be happy to pass on the advices & anecdotes to you. Be it for any purpose, you are getting some buddies around yourself from the field which you actually admire & love a lot.

• Cost effectiveness

Road bikes are an expensive thing. You are definitely getting a bike which is lighter, has more smooth tyres & marginally smoother gears tham mountain bikes when you go for a road bike. If you are not a professional races in road bike, then you don’t need to buy high-end speed road bikes. Instead, the simplest road bike could do which will not just help you with your goal but will save your money too.

Conclusion

From the above article, an idea on the difference between both have been stated. It also has listed the advantages one gets which is good in terms of practise on each track. However, since the trails are changing constantly, there will be a difference in the precision of the rider.  It is also an open secret that cycling is good for our overal health. Hence, for a change, consider going out on a vacation & have fun with biking.