What are the main differences between road bikes and mountain bikes?

Let's put it this way: you can think of road bikes and mountain bikes as the "sports cars" and "off-road vehicles" of the automotive world. Their design intentions and use cases are completely different.

Here are the most intuitive differences:

1. Completely Different Tires

   • Road Bikes: Tires are thin and narrow, with a smooth tread and almost no pattern. This is designed to minimize friction with the ground, allowing you to ride incredibly fast on flat asphalt roads.
   • Mountain Bikes: Tires are wide and thick, covered with deep, knobby treads (we call them "knobby tires"). This gives them powerful grip on dirt, sand, and root-strewn mountain trails, preventing slippage and making them safer.

2. Different Handlebar Shapes

   • Road Bikes: Use curved, "drop bars" that resemble ram's horns. This design allows you to lean forward, reduce wind resistance, and ride faster. For long rides, you can also change hand positions, reducing fatigue in your wrists and arms.
   • Mountain Bikes: Mostly use straight "flat bars" or slightly curved "riser bars." These handlebars are wider, offering more flexible and direct control, which is convenient for stable steering on bumpy and complex terrain.

3. Presence of "Suspension"

   • Road Bikes: Have no suspension system at all. The entire frame is rigid (what we call a "rigid fork"), because it's assumed you'll be riding on flat roads. Suspension would absorb your pedaling power, affecting speed, and also add weight.
   • Mountain Bikes: This is one of their core features. They have at least front wheel suspension (the front fork has a telescopic function), and many also have rear wheel suspension (a shock absorber in the middle of the frame). This system is designed to absorb bumps and impacts from the road, such as riding down steps or over rocks. It provides cushioning; otherwise, your backside and hands would quickly go numb from the jarring.

4. Frame and Riding Posture

   • Road Bikes: The frame is designed to be lighter and more slender, pursuing extreme weight reduction. The riding posture is quite "hunched over," with your body stretched forward. This is more aerodynamic, essentially designed for speed.
   • Mountain Bikes: The frame looks much "sturdier" and is very robust, capable of withstanding various impacts. The riding posture is relatively more upright and comfortable, offering better visibility, which helps you observe complex terrain ahead at all times.

In summary:

• If you want to ride on city streets or suburban highways, seeking speed and the thrill of rushing wind, then choose a road bike.
• If you enjoy exploring mountains and forest trails, challenging various uneven surfaces, and experiencing the fun of off-roading, then choose a mountain bike.

They are like two specialists in different fields; although both are bicycles, their playstyles and sources of enjoyment are completely distinct.