How Does a Mountain Bike Differ From a Racing Bike?

Friday, December 18, 2009

Wheels
Mountain bikes and racing bikes may have many similarities. However, they are used for completely different purposes, and therefore sport just as many differences. These differences make them perform like two completely separate entities. One of the major differences between the two bikes is in the wheels. Racing bikes are equipped with thin rubber wheels that are relatively smooth. This makes them perfect for racing on flat surfaces because they offer less resistance against the road. This allows them to go faster and continue at fast speeds for the duration of a race. Since mountain bikes are made for off road and rough terrain, they have wheels made out of tougher material and have a larger diameter, which in turn makes them heavier. They also are more rigid and have more grooves that are made to grip the terrain. This makes it easier for a rider to go over obstacles and remain balanced and stable on rough ground.
Suspensions
Mountain bikes are equipped with suspensions. Racing bikes do not normally have these, and if for some reason they do, mountain bikes have much heavier suspensions. They either have a heavy suspension on the front wheel and a light suspension on the back wheel, or equal suspensions on both wheels. These allow movement of the wheels so that even on mountainous or urban terrain the bikes will give a smooth ride. Suspensions vary, with those offering a smoother ride being much more expensive, so many full suspension bikes are not within the price range of a typical consumer.
Brakes
Racing bikes are equipped with v-brakes, which are usually somewhat lighter, which goes with the appeal of a lightweight bike meant for speed on the road. However, they get dirty very easily, which would be a problem for mountain bikes since it's very common for them to be used in dirty or muddy areas. Mountain bikes use disc brakes instead, which are easy to clean and won't get clogged when the bike is used for a long period of time. Disc brakes also are a little more efficient than v-brakes, which gives riders more control of the bike. When going over very rough terrain, obstacles get in the way when you least expect it, so being able to stop on a dime is an excellent feature for a mountain bike to have.

The original story is on eHow