Road Bike Vs Mountain Bike Speed Difference

So the road bike vs mountain bike debate can t be settled on cost alone.

Road bike vs mountain bike speed difference.

Mountain bikes can scramble over roots and rocks that would stop a road bike in its tracks but when it comes to pavement a road bike will take the lead every time. Less popular as difficult to film and televise and is the only mountain biking event at the summer olympics. Based on the speed test i found the road bike rolled on average about 11 faster than the mountain bike. Decent mountain bikes and road bikes will run upwards of 800.

In the design of the road bike and that of a mountain bike is different. Road bikes can easily speed up to 50mph the frames of road bikes are thinner and more aerodynamic that help a biker achieve high speeds. Mountain biking became a sport in 1970s and has since then diversified into cross country riding became an olympic sport in 1996. Road bikes are fast and easy to pedal on pavement.

However if you put the mountain bike on the same touraine i e a smooth paved trail the difference in speeds between mtb and road bike should be closer. Mountain bikes are harder to pedal and slower on pavement. Some people find the dropped riding position difficult to maintain comfortably for a long time. A mountain bike comparison.

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. Mountain bikes are created for off road cycling in non paved rough environments. As we mentioned before mountain bikes get pawned more so you might save on the used market. Jim s numbers indicate about a 17 20 increase in mph for a road bike versus a mountain bike.

When it comes to speed you can t make a road bike vs. Road bikes are slender and more aerodynamic to achieve higher speeds. They are not as well suited for operating off the road. In general it takes more energy to propel a heavy mountain bike than it does a road bike.