Pros and Cons of Using Mountain Bikes for Commuting

A guest blog from Mike Murray at Road and Mountain Bike Reviews
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Nowadays, most people from all over the world have grown tired of the long hours of waiting brought by traffic while on their way to work or other destinations in mind. If you are among these people, there is a better option available for you to ensure an easy and hassle-free commute to your desired destination.  Road And Mountain Bike Reviews will look at the pros and cons of mountain biking.

There are various ride options for you to consider and the use of a bike is considered as an option. There are many types of bicycles on the market and one of these is the most coveted type-the mountain bike.

Mountain bikes are considered the most versatile bicycle ever created. They are designed not just for commuting but are best used for off-road riding. This type of bike is very distinct because of its rugged machine with flat handlebars as well as wide and crooked tires for riding even the narrow road or dirt trails. Mountain bikes have low gears and an upright riding position which make them suitable for long and rough rides.  
 
Types of Mountain Bikes
Now the real challenge is choosing the right mountain bike that fits with your ability and riding style as well as the kind of trails you'll be most likely to traverse most of the time. It is important to understand the basics of the different designs of mountain bikes. To help you choose the best mountain bike here are the five basic types of mountain bikes which the manufacturers use in describing their bikes.

Cross Country (XC) Mountain Bike: Built for riders with pedaling performance as their priority. This type of mountain bike is created for strength and efficacy. It closely resembles the road bikes in terms of geometry. This is super light-weight however, XC bikes trade out downhill performance for efficiency and weight.

Trail Mountain Bike: Trail bikes are the most popular mountain bike and are considered the best climbers and expert descenders. Trail bikes have more suspension, more gravity-oriented components, and a more relaxed geometry than the XC type making them more capable to dwell on all kinds of terrain. If you are into biking uphill and downhill, as well as looking for an intermittent drop or jump, this type of bike is probably for you.

All-Mountain or Endure Mountain Bike: Inspired by the moto-racing world and are more efficient going uphill than downhill bikes but are less versatile than XC or Trail bikes. Generally speaking, this type of mountain bike is way bigger than XC or Trail bikes. An all-mountain or endure mountain bike is perfect for you if you're enthusiastic to pedal uphill, to achieve the free-pedal downhill ride.

Downhill or Park Mountain Bike: Downhill bikes are well-designed for steep, gnarled road, jumps, huge drops, and speed. They are the perfect definition of a motorless motocross bike. These bikes aren't created to go any direction but down. If you're not interested to pedal uphill, and you have the resourcefulness as well as the needed skill to handle yourself well a downhill bike is meant for you.

Pros and Cons
For rough off-road riding, mountain bikes are considered king. They are much slower on road because of their big knobby tires and suspension but will boost confidence on heavy difficult narrow roads. Use of a mountain bike is perfect if your commute is on rough roads with slippery cycle paths. Since mountain bikes are a little bit expensive, it is always wise to think first before buying. Choosing the most suitable type of bike is very challenging, yet fulfilling. Here are some of the pros and cons of using mountain bikes:

The Pros of Using Mountain Bikes:

• Bigger frames and components designed for difficult off-roads.
• Frame geometry aids in the adhesive friction for loose and steep climbs.
• Small, stable wheels (26 inches) that can take the hits on rocks or road dents.
• Has tire suspension for better control.
• The frame or built offers body comfort against bumps or hits.
• Wide tires provide control over wet or muddy roads.
• Provide an efficient and effective way of muscle exercise.

The Cons of Using Mountain Bikes:

• Heavier as compared to road bikes resulting in a much tougher climb.
• Smaller wheels (26 inches) have resistance that is more rolling.
• Tire knobbiest will easily wear down on the warm and dry road.
• Suspension robs some efficacy from pedaling.
• Slower which requires more effort on roads or paths.
• Very expensive because of the more advanced function.

 
Conclusion
Every year, bikes have gotten more advanced in terms of function, reliability and the experience it offers. As bikes diversify, their use also expanded from fun and leisure to main transportation for daily commutes.

There are various bikes perfect for commuting, and a mountain bike is one of these. However, given the general structure of mountain bikes, people often find it challenging to maneuver this type of bike on normal roads while much easier on difficult roads. But mountain bikes are still ideal for commuting and is still recommended by many experienced bikers. Despite the pros and cons of using mountain bikes as daily commutes, the decision is always up to you and the best bike for commuting is one that provides you the most comfort and practicality so that your daily ride can be more fun and worry.