The pros and cons of MTB
when you buy a new bicycle, one of the most important decisions you’ll have to choose which sort of bicycle you want, Road or MTB. First, the MTB has great performance to ride in any type of various road like single-track trails, mountain bike trails, fire roads, gravel roads, pothole-filled city streets, and pretty much any type of paved or unpaved surface. Depending on the design, a mountain bike can handle terrain consisting of loose dirt, gravel, roots, rocks, logs, steep grades, sand, snow, grass, wet surfaces, jumps, drops, wall-rides, and more.
Most mountain bikes also have wide, flat handlebars. These provide leverage for accurate and quick steering and control of the bike. This makes it easier to navigate terrain with many roots, rocks and other obstacles. Drop-bar mountain bikes are also available.
Most mountain bikes also have suspension. Hardtail mountain bikes have fork suspension and rigid frames. Full-suspension mountain bikes have a fork and rear shock built into the frame.
The suspension system absorbs big bumps from rocks, roots, holes, and other obstacles, so the bike doesn’t bounce around much while riding. It also helps reduce vibration and improve comfort. The suspension also helps improve handling and makes the bike easier to control.
Different suspension systems are available for different strokes. Most mountain bikes have suspension travel between 100 and 200 millimeters. More travel allows the bike to absorb bigger bumps, but makes the bike less efficient.
Riding a mountain bike can you to learn more technical skills. Riding a mountain bike teaches you some important skills that you can’t learn as easily while riding a road bike. This can make you a stronger overall cyclist both off-road and on.
For example, while mountain biking, your bike handling skills improve. You learn how to choose a line and how to recover when you lose traction. You’ll also learn how to balance the bike on uneven terrain. This can help you maneuver better and overcome various obstacles. You pick these skills up quickly because you constantly encounter new obstacles that you have to overcome while mountain biking.
CONS
Mountain bike is heavier. Mountain bikes weigh around 28-32 lbs (12.7-14.5 kg). To compare road bikes weigh around 18-25 lbs (8-11 kg). On average, a mountain bike weighs 10-12 lbs (4.5-5.5 kg) more than a comparable road bike.
Mountain bikes are heavier due to the larger tires, suspension system, and beefier frame and wheels. These all contain more material, which adds mass. The extra weight makes mountain bikes a bit slower and less efficient. Particularly when climbing hills. It takes more energy to move the extra weight around.
Mountain bikes are less aerodynamically efficient than road bikes. The upright ride position and wide handlebars turn your body into a sail. Your chest and spread arms create a lot of wind resistance. The wider tires and extra spokes in the wheels also create additional drag. You have to pedal harder to overcome the extra resistance.
When you’re riding at low speeds, aerodynamics don’t really matter. When you reach speeds of around 10 mph, air resistance becomes the main force acting against you. This can really slow you down when riding into a headwind or trying to ride fast. The faster you ride, the more aerodynamics come into play.
