There are many reasons why people use a mountain bike on the road – it’s an excellent idea and makes complete sense. There are some fantastic advantages and significant disadvantages to using your mountain bike on the road.

In this next section, we’re going to talk about the pros and cons and then ways to modify your mountain bike to make it more roadworthy.

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PROS

Price:

So just say you are planning on buying an entry-level bike for commuting. The cheapest geared road bike will roughly be around $400-$500. Then you start looking at mountain bikes; the most affordable you see is $200-$300. Typically, mountain bikes at an entry level are cheaper than road bikes.

Flexibility:

The beauty of having a mountain bike that you use on the road is that you also have the option to go off-road. It means you have an excellent do-it-all bike, and you’re not tied down to just one cycling discipline.

Comfort:

No doubt, mountain bikes are much more comfortable than road bikes. They have larger tires that roll much better on the road, the rider’s position is more upright, the suspension takes all the bumps out of the road, and generally, wider mountain bike handlebars are much more pleasant than road handlebars.

Durability:

Mountain bikes are much more durable than road bikes. If you hit a pothole, you have nothing to worry about. You will more than likely just roll over it. Having a mountain bike on the road means you will be fine regardless of the road’s condition.

Mountain bikes are also much better at stopping faster than road bikes which is a big plus in a busy city.

CONS

Slow:

Mountain bikes on the road are very slow. They are not made for smooth roads and are extremely laggy. You will find holding speed on the bike much harder and will have to put much more effort in. This is because of a few reasons, such as the weight of the bike, the aerodynamics, and the larger tires.

Tire Wear:

Off-road bikes, such as mountain bikes, typically have knobbly tires, and the tarmac chews these up very quickly. Often when using a mountain bike on the road, the rear tire starts to flatten off much quicker than on gravel or muddy trails.

You will likely find yourself switching the front-to-back tire to make them last longer, but still, it’s not ideal. Off-road tires are a softer compound compared to road tires.

How can we make our Mountain Bikes Better on the Road?

Making a Mountain bike better for the road is a great idea. Many cyclists take to the toolbox and start modifying their mountain bikes to better suit road riding. What is it you need to do?

Tires:

Smaller, smoother, hardwearing tires will make your life much easier. You won’t be able to go as small as road bike tires as they likely won’t fit on your rims, but finding an in-between will help. You will still have some decent off-road ability. They will make it much faster when it comes to road riding.

Suspension:

Many types of suspension now come with what they call a “lockout.” This is where it locks the suspension into one place so it doesn’t work anymore. You’re going to want to have this on.

The energy and momentum you lose through suspension is crazy. Having it locked out will go a long way. Some people even switch to rigid forks, but it’s a lot of hassle.

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Handlebars:

Changing your handlebars is a very straightforward job, and if you ride in a city a lot, it might be something you will want to do. It will just make your riding in tight traffic so much easier. Remember though, the shorter you go, the harder it will be to control.

Conclusion

Can you ride your mountain bike on the road? Of course, you can; it is highly recommended and has some great advantages. It will be fine even as a long-term solution, but a road bike will always be much more efficient in the long run.

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