Components on Road & Mountain Bikes

[Grayskull]

Obviously the two disciplines are very different, so structurally bikes are made to suite the needs of each terrain.  But why are ALL the components so different as well?  Even some of the basic components that dont strike me as critical to be changed, are different ie. peddles/cleats and saddles

 

So can anyone please explain the differences of these components between Road and Mountain bikes:

Peddles & Cleats

Saddles

Brakes - Disk vs. V-brakes

Gearing - Deore vs. Sora/105/.etc...

 

Thanks

[Free]

Go ride some mtb with your road peddles(sic) and your road groupset... You'll soon see why you get mtb specific components.

[LazyTrailRider]

Pedals

Two things: 1) Mud is a major problem with MTB riding, 2) A wider platform and double-sided engagement are two things that are difficult to do without.

 

Saddles

Not necessarily much difference, except that on an MTB, you sometimes need to drop behind the saddle on steep drops, so the design needs to accommodate easy sliding off the back. That, and a little more strength is needed to keep rails from snapping after a year's vibration. For example, I wouldn't ride with a carbon-railed Arione on an MTB.

 

Brakes

More power and modulation (dead stops occur often) and specifically the ability for discs to not be affected by mud.

 

Gearing

Firstly, terrain and speed varies hugely on an average MTB ride, so ratios need to reflect this. Secondly, return springs require a bit more power to cope with mud and dirt clogging things up.

[Grayskull]

 

starting to get the picture

thanks

 

Grayskull2009-06-25 08:27:12