What is the difference between a mountain bicycle and a normal bicycle?
I’ve heard of different types of bicycles; Hybrid, mountain etc. I’m super confused, what is the difference between bikes with thin tyres and the ones with thick tyres and rough threading? also whats a hybrid bike/mountian bike and which will be best for someone who lives in a rainy city with alot of tared roads and stuff? (sorry i’m asking so many questions in one 
A good way to explain the differences between types of bikes is to think of them like you would think of cars.
Road racing bikes- These are the bikes you see with the extremely skinny tires and drop handlebars. The people riding them are often wearing tight lycra clothes. These are like the formula one cars or the supercars of the cycling world. They are highly specialized to only do one thing- go fast on paved roads.
Old ten speed bikes- These are what most Americans think of when they think of ‘normal’ bikes. Some have drop bars like racing bikes, some have other styles of bars. The tires generally aren’t wide, but they aren’t super skinny either. They are inexpensive bikes for just normal riding around. They are pretty much all found on the used market these days. These are the 1991 Honda Civics of the cycling world.
Cruiser bikes- These are the bikes with more curvaceous frames, like an old schwinn from the fifties. They are generally, as the name suggests, just for cruising around and having fun. Some love the style, some don’t. These are like the lowriders of the cycling world- not for going fast, just for having fun, and looking good to those that like the style.
Touring bikes- These are very stout road bikes. Many have drop bars, but certainly not all. They are designed specifically for long distance trips and carrying loads in comfort. They use wider tires. You can generally take a touring bike off road on well groomed trails and fire roads. They are like the suburban or the range rover of the cycling world.
Mountain bikes- These are bikes that are designed specifically for off road use. They generally have tires with a knobby, agressive tread. The cranks are higher up off of the ground for more clearance. Many have some sort of sprung suspension, either at the front or at the front and rear. They aren’t as good at riding on the pavement. These are the Jeeps of the cycling world, ranging from a stock jeep to one of those heavily modified lifted jeeps with mud tires.
‘Hybrid’ bikes- These are a cross between a mountain bike and a road bike. The goal was to create a bike that was the best of both worlds, but for the most part, they are the worst of both worlds. They aren’t as good on the road as bikes specifically designed for paved road use, and they aren’t as good off road as a mountain bike. They are like the crossover SUV’s of the cycling world- pretty much not very good at any of the tasks they were designed for. They are often also known as ‘comfort’ bikes, but they are only comfortable for short, occasional rides.
Cargo bikes- These bikes, such as the xtracycle, the surly big dummy, the kona ute, and the madsen kg271 are designed for carrying a LOT of stuff around. They are like the pickup trucks of the cycling world.
Cyclocross bikes- These are very similar to road bikes, but they use tires that are more akin to mountain bike tires. They are used for a form of racing called cyclocross racing. These are like the rally cars (subaru impreza, mitsubishi evo) of the cycling world.
Roadster bikes- Often called Dutch bikes or English bikes, these are large, very heavy bikes designed for transportation. The most notable feature of this style of bike is the fully enclosed chaincase around the chain, so you don’t have to worry about snagging your pants. They generally last forever. They are very comfortable to ride. These are like the old large sedans of the cycling world.
Tandem bikes- These are ‘bicycles built for two,’ although you can also get them for three or four people if you are willing to shell out LOTS of loot. These are kind of like the minivans of the cycling world, in a loose sense.
Folding bikes- These are small bikes that fold up so you can put them in the trunk of a car, or take them on a train or bus, or stash in the corner of your office at work. They are like the smart cars or the geo metros of the cycling world.
I am sure I have left something out here, but those are the basics.
In general, wider tires are more comfortable. Smoother tires give better performance on the road. You can get wide smooth tires, just like you can get skinnier knobby tires. If you live in a place that is rainy, the most important thing you can have on a bike is a good set of fenders that cover as much of the wheels as possible.
Good luck!
Mountain bikes have gears that you can change so when your going up a hill all you have to do is switch it to gear one an its easier to pedal up a hill. They also have bigger tires on them. Normal bikes have street tires so you can just ride around town. If i was buying a bike i would get a street bike because i like to do tricks. But if your in to riding all the way across town an more or you wanna go into the woods an ride than get a mountain bike
References :
Comment by Blake — February 22, 2010 @ 5:52 pm
It does get confusing sometimes because the names don’t always make sense, for some reason normal bikes are usually called "hybrids".
It’s easier to look at a photo than try to explain the difference.
This is a mountain bike; it has a shock absorbers, the frame is compact, the tyres are very chunky and it’s very strong overall. http://www.lakehaweaepic.co.nz/uploaded_images/08-trek-6500-730035.jpg
This is a hybrid; it’s much cheaper and faster than a mountain bike but not so great off-road. Put semi-off road tyres on it though and it will be fine for riding on paths and trails.
http://shop.devercycles.co.uk/images/prod_2812.jpg
Another hybrid, but this one has a front suspension to make it better off-road:
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/product-images-large/trek-7200-hybrid-bike-45729.jpg
For riding around town on good roads I’d ride something like this:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3521/4001562298_9165431b19.jpg
or this: http://www.awcycles.co.uk/images/giant08/expressionN32008.jpg
http://www.futurecycles.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1//5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/p/a/pashley_roadster_sovereign_26_1.jpg
(I’d link to some more photos but all the online stores now are using those stupid javascript/flash pop-ups)
Ride a few bikes and see which style you like best, if you want comfort then go for a traditional styled bike but if you want a bike that can cope with potholes and curbs buy a hybrid; you can also take an old non-suspension mountain bike (MTB) and swap the knobbly tyres for slicks or semi-slicks (couriers used to do that back in the 1980’s) which will give you a very tough bike for under $100.
Do not buy ultra-cheap new bikes; Walmart bikes last at a rate of a dollar-a-day; if it costs $99 it will be a wreck in 3 months.
References :
Comment by Lord Darkclaw — February 22, 2010 @ 6:10 pm
A mountain bike is a bike meant for off road or trail riding. They have thick off road tires and normally have a suspension fork. But a real mountain bike won’t be sold at Walmart or Target. They are sold at bike shops. Hybrids are a more comfortable option and are not meant for mountain biking. They will have thinner tires for less resistance on the road and they are faster. If you need a bike for riding through the city on paved roads you will want a hybrid bike with 700c tires. Whatever you do do not buy a BMX bike because they are smaller and the wheels have a lot of resistance and the fact that they have one gear. I would go with a Trek Soho hybrid road bike.
References :
Comment by Benny Roberts — February 22, 2010 @ 6:49 pm
There is really no such thing as a "normal" bicycle. Bikes are designed for whatever type of riding the owner plans to do. Mountain bikes are designed for off road riding, road racing bikes are designed for fast rides on the road. Hybrid bikes are designed as a compromise somewhere between the two, they are faster than a mountain bike on the road, but fall short on rough terrain, and certainly won’t be able to keep up with a lightweight road bike. You have to decide for yourself where and how you want to ride. Once you have done that, visit a few shops, explain what you want to do, and how much you expect to pay, weigh their answers, and decide which bike they have will fit your needs. If you live in a city where it rains a lot, you need a bike that has mudguards to protect you from road spray. Touring bikes, or a hybrid with mudguards might work well for you
References :
Comment by mtrlbiker — February 22, 2010 @ 7:37 pm
Bikes are designed for a specific purpose, you need to figure out what you want to do with it. Too many people buy a Mountain bike to commute with, it wasn’t designed for that any more then a road bike is made to go off road. Google "how to buy a bike" there are many sites out there and visit the local bike shop, they can also help. Stay far away from Walmart and other department store bikes they are junk and only come in one size.
http://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Bicycle
References :
Comment by Bob A — February 22, 2010 @ 8:13 pm
A good way to explain the differences between types of bikes is to think of them like you would think of cars.
Road racing bikes- These are the bikes you see with the extremely skinny tires and drop handlebars. The people riding them are often wearing tight lycra clothes. These are like the formula one cars or the supercars of the cycling world. They are highly specialized to only do one thing- go fast on paved roads.
Old ten speed bikes- These are what most Americans think of when they think of ‘normal’ bikes. Some have drop bars like racing bikes, some have other styles of bars. The tires generally aren’t wide, but they aren’t super skinny either. They are inexpensive bikes for just normal riding around. They are pretty much all found on the used market these days. These are the 1991 Honda Civics of the cycling world.
Cruiser bikes- These are the bikes with more curvaceous frames, like an old schwinn from the fifties. They are generally, as the name suggests, just for cruising around and having fun. Some love the style, some don’t. These are like the lowriders of the cycling world- not for going fast, just for having fun, and looking good to those that like the style.
Touring bikes- These are very stout road bikes. Many have drop bars, but certainly not all. They are designed specifically for long distance trips and carrying loads in comfort. They use wider tires. You can generally take a touring bike off road on well groomed trails and fire roads. They are like the suburban or the range rover of the cycling world.
Mountain bikes- These are bikes that are designed specifically for off road use. They generally have tires with a knobby, agressive tread. The cranks are higher up off of the ground for more clearance. Many have some sort of sprung suspension, either at the front or at the front and rear. They aren’t as good at riding on the pavement. These are the Jeeps of the cycling world, ranging from a stock jeep to one of those heavily modified lifted jeeps with mud tires.
‘Hybrid’ bikes- These are a cross between a mountain bike and a road bike. The goal was to create a bike that was the best of both worlds, but for the most part, they are the worst of both worlds. They aren’t as good on the road as bikes specifically designed for paved road use, and they aren’t as good off road as a mountain bike. They are like the crossover SUV’s of the cycling world- pretty much not very good at any of the tasks they were designed for. They are often also known as ‘comfort’ bikes, but they are only comfortable for short, occasional rides.
Cargo bikes- These bikes, such as the xtracycle, the surly big dummy, the kona ute, and the madsen kg271 are designed for carrying a LOT of stuff around. They are like the pickup trucks of the cycling world.
Cyclocross bikes- These are very similar to road bikes, but they use tires that are more akin to mountain bike tires. They are used for a form of racing called cyclocross racing. These are like the rally cars (subaru impreza, mitsubishi evo) of the cycling world.
Roadster bikes- Often called Dutch bikes or English bikes, these are large, very heavy bikes designed for transportation. The most notable feature of this style of bike is the fully enclosed chaincase around the chain, so you don’t have to worry about snagging your pants. They generally last forever. They are very comfortable to ride. These are like the old large sedans of the cycling world.
Tandem bikes- These are ‘bicycles built for two,’ although you can also get them for three or four people if you are willing to shell out LOTS of loot. These are kind of like the minivans of the cycling world, in a loose sense.
Folding bikes- These are small bikes that fold up so you can put them in the trunk of a car, or take them on a train or bus, or stash in the corner of your office at work. They are like the smart cars or the geo metros of the cycling world.
I am sure I have left something out here, but those are the basics.
In general, wider tires are more comfortable. Smoother tires give better performance on the road. You can get wide smooth tires, just like you can get skinnier knobby tires. If you live in a place that is rainy, the most important thing you can have on a bike is a good set of fenders that cover as much of the wheels as possible.
Good luck!
References :
Comment by ? — February 22, 2010 @ 8:52 pm