Many people get confused between mountain bikes and sports bike; however a trained sports person can easily tell you the difference by just looking at both the bikes. Mountain bikes are designed to be short and sturdy whereas road bikes are tall and lightweight. The basic structure of these bikes differs a lot because they are designed for two different terrains. The road bikes are meant to traverse through smooth asphalt roads, whereas the mountain bikes are meant for more dusty and uneven terrain.
The tires of mountain bikes are thicker and they have more treading to avoid skidding against the pebbles and stones. The tires of road bikes are larger in circumference and are thinner as compared to the mountain bikes. Road bikes do not have excessive treading on their tires. The road bikes have shorter inward curved handles whereas the mountain bikes have straighter and shorter handles. Mountain bikes are not meant to travel at high speeds. These bikes are designed for uneven terrains and the emphasis is more on control and technique of riding. On the contrary, the road bikes are designed to slice through the air so that the rider can achieve optimum speed. Mountain bikes are heavy and sturdy whereas road bikes are feather light and easy to break down. The maintenance costs of a mountain bike are higher as compared to a road bike due to the rough usage of the bike.
One can see different types of mountain bikes and road bikes in different sport shows. One can compare the prices and models of various bikes before you buy the right bike for your cycling needs.
