History has it that the first mountain bikes on the market were a modification of a cruiser bike. With technological advancements, the manufacturers of mountain bikes have made them versatile and best for the off-roading experience. The changes have brought about the difference between a mountain bike vs cruisers. But what are the different features of these two bicycles?
A mountain bike has wider, thick tires which can handle the tough terrain it’s designed for. It also has flat handlebars and 1x setup gear. However, a cruiser bike is a single-speed bike owing to its one gear, has no suspension, and is very comfortable to ride.
If you’re planning to buy any of these bikes and find it challenging to know their difference, this guide will help you understand that.
Understanding A Mountain Bike
If you want to differentiate between a mountain bike vs cruiser bike, you’ve got first to understand their basics. A mountain bike is a popular bicycle used by both pro cyclists and beginners. It has a lightweight, stronger frame with several gears plus thick treaded tires. This type of bike works best on mountainous trails or off-road terrain.
Mountain bikes have been in the market for some years now and have undergone many changes to give them excellent performance. It is the only bike that has undergone more changes than the rest, and the changes have seen it become an all-rounded bike with more people using it now.
Key Features of a Mountain Bike
When selecting the best bike for you, you need to bear in mind several factors. For example, to get the perfect choice between a mountain bike vs cruiser, you need to look at the features that make them stand out.
The features of a mountain bike include;
Frame
The frames of mountain bikes are stronger to withstand the rugged trail where they are designed to be used. The frame can be made of aluminum or any material, depending on the manufacturer and the type you settle for. However, high-end mountain bikes are made of steel or carbon fiber.
Saddle
The saddles of mountain bikes are wider and padded, offering more comfort on the rough trail. The seat posts also have shock absorbers for better cushioning.
Tires
The tires of a mountain bike have knobby tread and are durable, with some having puncture-protected layers to have them last longer. The rear tires of a mountain bike have horizontal tread, enabling it to have a better grip while accelerating.
Most mountain bikes also have a tube that keeps them inflated. But the newer tires are tubeless and are more popular because of their great resistance.
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Understanding A Cruiser Bike
Frank W. Schwinn designed cruiser bikes in the 1930s. Its design meant it was to be used for cruising at a slower speed. The design and features which makes it a comfortable bike made them popular in the market, with most people opting for it.
You are likely to meet a cruiser at the beach, which is why they have another name, ‘beach cruiser.’ Since these bikes allow you to customize them, you can introduce other features like a rack, fenders, or lighting.
Key Features of Cruiser
The main features of a cruiser include;
Frame
A cruiser’s frame is bigger than those of other bikes and is made of steel, with some being aluminum. The frames determine the bike’s overall weight and are usually about 40-50 pounds. Cruiser bikes have two types of frames, step-through, and regular frames. The standard frame on cruiser bikes is similar to the other types of bikes.
Tires
The cruiser bike tires enable you to stay comfortable on the trail. Most cruiser bikes use balloon tires which can go over dirt without getting punctures. Such tires are wider than the regular ones and help improve stability and offer smooth rides.
Saddle
The saddle of a cruiser bike is comfortable as they’re padded and in good shape. They are also oversized to provide more seating areas, making fun rides enjoyable. What’s more about these saddles is the dual spring system which acts as shock absorbers and brings more comfort.
Difference Between Mountain Bike Vs Cruiser
The best way to differentiate between a mountain bike vs. cruiser is by looking at their common features. You should compare features like;
Frame Geometry
You might have difficulty differentiating between the frame of a mountain bike vs cruiser because they’ve similar geometry. The frames make you ride in an upright posture. However, there is a slight difference between the two frames.
A mountain bike frame allows you to overcome the challenging trail comfortably. It has a longer reach and a slack head angle which makes you be in control of the bike at a higher speed while maintaining the center of gravity. The stems of mountain bikes are also shorter while the handlebars are wider, improving the overall leverage.
Cruiser bikes also have wider handlebars near the saddle, enabling a cyclist to maintain an upright posture while on the go. It also has a relaxed seat tube angle, ensuring you remain comfortable while on the trail.
You can notice the difference between the two bike frames when covering a long distance or going uphill, as the cruiser will allow you to be more upright.
The Wheels and Tires
The wheels and tires of a mountain bike are designed for cruising the mountainous trails with ease. They are durable, wider, and lightweight to overcome the corners and bumpy tracks. The wheel clearance is also bigger to enable the bigger tires to work effortlessly. A mountain bike can accommodate 48mm tires with ease.
Additionally, the tires are knobby to offer good traction on off-roads. The tires are also thicker than those of road or gravel bikes, with some having puncture-protected sidewalls for better performance on the rough trail.
However, the wheel and tires of a cruiser bike are designed for a smooth paved trail. This sees them have slick tires that move faster on the tarmac road. The tires are also wider and are puncture-resistant sidewalls to add comfort when using this bike.
Note that cruiser bikes are not meant to move at higher speed, so they don’t have lighter and thinner tires, increasing the risks of getting a puncture. This means they are heavy and large tires that guarantee no punch while enjoying a ride.
Gears
Another difference between a mountain bike vs cruiser lies in their gears. Mountain bikes have more gears, bigger cassettes, and several front ring combinations. Currently, most mountain bikes have the 1x setup, indicating that they have one front chainring and more rear cassette like a 10-48T. This allows you to pedal at a comfortable cadence ranging from 4mph to 20mph. So, you’ll have more gear range than on a cruiser bike.
A cruiser has one gear making them popularly known as a single-speed bike. This will be advantageous and disadvantageous at the same time since you’ll have challenges going uphill. You will not have it easy pedaling at a slower cadence or having not to sit while overcoming the hill with one gear.
However, it will give you an easy time since single-speed bikes don’t require much maintenance as no adjustments are needed. Also, no derailleurs reduce the parts you should take care of or replace. Additionally, you’ll not have to keep replacing the chain after it drops when changing gears.
Brakes
A mountain bike has powerful disc brakes and works best, allowing you to be in control on the challenging trail. The disc brakes also enable your bike to ride in any weather without worries. The disc brakes work better than the rims brakes, except they’re expensive and require regular maintenance.
Most cruisers use rim brakes which makes them not perform well on wet trails. Since the cruiser isn’t designed for long-distance riding or difficult courses, the choice of brake is just fine. However, you’ll enjoy cruising the bike around your neighborhood, efficiently controlling it with the rim brakes.
Riding Position
A mountain bike’s frame geometry and flat handlebars make you ride in a unique position that lets you balance power, control, and aerodynamics. Since these are racing bikes, you should remain comfortable throughout the journey while on the saddle and out of it. Its design lets your hands be far apart on the handlebars, but the frame’s geometry enables you to remain upright to have better control.
On the other hand, a cruiser lets you stay comfortable in a more upright posture. You will not have to lower your back or bend your head like on mountain bikes. The riding position of a cruiser is considered to be more upright than the other types of bikes.
Handlebars
A mountain bike has flat handlebars, which means they are wider. Sometimes the handlebars might curve backward or up to improve the design. A flat handlebar will require you to have a wider grip to handle the bike better, especially on the turns and the bumpy trail.
However, cruisers have a unique handlebar that has the features of a flat bar and drops bars. They are curved to form a U-shape which enables you to control the bike while sitting upright, which allows your wrist to be more natural. You can even fix a rack in front of the handlebars because of its design. The handlebars of cruisers are weighty, which requires you to be patient to be able to get used to them. You will also have challenges getting out of the seat with these handlebars.
Suspension
Mountain bikes have two types of suspension, hardtail, and full suspension. The hardtail mountain bikes have front suspension on the fork. This enables the suspension to compress when your front wheel passes over a rock or ditch, cushioning you against the shock that can cause pain in your arms.
The full suspension mountain bike has suspension on the rear and front wheel. They work harmoniously to cushion you from shock when riding on a strenuous trail. The two suspensions work together with the dropper post enabling you to go downhill and overcome bumpy paths. They also improve the bike’s traction and stability.
However, the suspension is another feature you can use to differentiate between a mountain bike and a cruiser. This is because cruisers don’t have suspension, making them lighter, requiring less maintenance, and cheaper but making you undergo a bumpy ride. Some manufacturers have now incorporated suspension on cruisers.
Which Bike Should You Go For, Mountain Bike Vs Cruiser?
Choosing between a mountain bike vs. cruiser shouldn’t give you a hard time. To do this faster, know where you want to go riding the bike. After that, you’ll be able to know the best bike for your trail. For example, a mountain bike best suits a bumpy rugged pathway because it has a stronger frame and tires. However, a cruiser will work best on tarmac or paved roads.
Apart from that, you should consider your budget and the aesthetic of the bicycle. The bike’s aesthetic will be much more important if you don’t intend to use it for any race but rather for fun around the neighborhood. A cruiser looks more beautiful than a mountain bike.
A mountain bike costs more than a cruiser which requires you to prepare adequately, especially if you target the high-end MTB.
Is It Easy to Ride a Mountain Bike Than a Cruiser?
Mountain bikes can be easy to ride if you’ve been riding a bicycle before. But it won’t be easy to ride it if it’s your first time which is the same case when riding a cruiser. What makes the bike easy to ride is regular practice and persistence.
This is despite a mountain bike having bigger tires with knobby treads, which increases traction on a rough trail. The bike’s suspension will only cushion you against bumps and not make it easy to ride. So, if you want to have an easy time riding any of the bikes, take your time and learn the tricks that will make you a pro.
Bottom Line
Choosing between a mountain bike vs cruiser can be a real task as they share similar features that require you to be extra keen. Look at each bike’s frame, brakes, tire, gears, and suspension to understand the difference.Â
A mountain bike has a 1x setup, rear and front suspension, disc brakes, and wider tires, enabling it to go over the rocks, bumps, and roots easily. However, a cruiser has no suspension but has thicker tires and a bigger seat and works best on a tarmac or paved road.