What is better for transportation: a mountain bike or a road bike.

Question

i want to get a bike not for working out and adventure, but for riding in the city so i can get around places. I notice that a lot of people use there mountain bike more for the city than the mountain. Though i also notice that the people who have road bikes only use it for excersice. I want to know which one is better for transportation.

Answer 1

I'm with the rest, forget a mountain bike for city commuting.  They're too heavy, the tyres are too wide, the gearing is too low and the suspension will suck the energy out of you.  Another thing is you need somewhere to carry stuff and mtb's aren't normally fitted with racks.  I would go for a touring, trekking or hybrid bike.  They're all fairly similar in approach but slightly different in how they do it.

I use a cyclocross bike for commuting and would agree with M V that they're great but a lot of my journey is on tracks and I'm used to an aggressive racing frame.  For a beginner you might want something more relaxed.

Answer 2

if you are a serious cyclist, who needs to get a serious cycling workout based on speed and distance, get a road bike.

If you are just an average joe who likes to bike, and get in a good workout while you are at it, a mountain bike is more versatile and can take more abuse.

Answer 3

I ride a bike for transportation, and happen to get some fitness naturally.

You want reliability if you are going to be using your bike for transportation.

You want speed if you are going to travel any significant distances.

you want versatility if you want to go any where you want.

And you want a bike that fits.  So you need a good local bike shop.  dont go to a specialty racing shop though.

Consider a Giant Suede with some better tires-- NOT to buy it, but to use it as a point of reference.

Answer 4

Both have their advantages.  A road bike is more efficient and lighter, which means you put less effort into moving it.  Many people commute on road bikes.   A mountain bike is like a jeep; it can be ridden ANYWHERE.    A lot depends on how far you are riding.  If you are going a few miles at a time, any bike will work.  If you are going to be riding 10 miles or more on most trips, a road bike will be the ticket.  A special kind of road bike called a cyclocross bike is a great choice for a commuter;  See also a 'hybrid' or 'fitness' bike.

Answer 5

You may not want a mountain bike, they are not very efficient and the knobbies are a pain on pavement.  Look at the hybrid bikes, a comfort street & path will have the 700c40 tires like a road bike with an upright seating position.  A comfort trail & path will have 26"x1.95 tires that would be good on the road but not as efficient as the street hybred but will handle the rougher road surfaces better.

Answer 6

the most efficient transportation is going to be a standard road bike.

mountain bikes trade off some of the efficiency for bigger tires that are a major advantage offroad or on bumpy surfaces or hills.

Answer 7

A mountain bike is not the best choice -- unless you replace the knobby tires with narrower slicks. Mountain bikes are heavier than road bikes, and are slower on the road. Get a road bike - you can put upright bars on it if you like that position. There are also Hybrids -- road bike-size wheels on a bike that looks more like a mountain bike.  

Answer 8

a lot of hard-core commuters are actually on commuter bikes, built for the road, but with a flat handle bar. these commuter bikes often cost upwards of $700-800. the reason for the flat bar, and similarity to MTB geometry is it sits the rider in a more upright position.

there are a plethora of bike styles, in as many different price ranges. decide what you want your bike to do for you, than discuss it with the pros at your LBS..