SHOULD YOU BUY A ROAD BIKE OR A MOUNTAIN BIKE?

Lately, a bunch of cycling newbies have been pulling me aside asking the classic question:

“Should I buy a Road Bike or a Mountain Bike (MTB)?”

To give a proper answer, I usually fire back with a few simple — but critical — questions:

• Where do you live?
• What’s your purpose for cycling? (fitness, exploration, speed?)
• How much are you willing to invest in your bike?

Simple as they sound, these questions will pretty much decide your whole cycling journey.

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If you’ve got a thick wallet and can afford both a Road Bike and an MTB — congrats! No need to think too much.

But if you can only get one, then these questions will guide you to the right choice.

Road Bikes – Your best friend on paved roads

Road bikes are sleek and lightweight thanks to their slim frames and narrow tires. They fly like the wind on smooth asphalt.

However, they’re like delicate ballerinas — throw in some potholes, gravel, or rocky trails, and they tap out real fast.

Also, quality road bikes don’t come cheap.

Mountain Bikes – The tough all-terrain warriors

MTBs are the sturdy bruisers: built with suspension systems, thick tires, and solid frames.

They can conquer almost anything — from paved roads to gnarly mountain trails.

The downside? They’re heavier and no match for road bikes when it comes to pure speed on flat roads.

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So:

• If you live in the mountains, love exploring rough trails — go for an MTB.
• If you’re based in the lowlands with nice, flat paved roads, and mainly want to ride for fitness or fun — a Road Bike is your soulmate.

And about money:

You get what you pay for.

A decent road bike usually sets you back tens of millions of VND (several thousand dollars).

If your budget is tighter — say around 7–10 million VND ($300–$400) — I’d recommend picking up a decent MTB.

At that price, you won’t get anything fancy, but it’ll be tough enough to take you pretty much anywhere.

Cheap road bikes? Better save up a bit more. A bad road bike can kill your passion faster than you think.

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At the end of the day, any bike can get you moving.

The most important thing is to genuinely fall in love with cycling.

Once you’re truly hooked, trust me — you’ll find ways to “assemble the whole gang”: MTB, Road Bike, maybe even Gravel or Touring Bikes without even realizing it.

Don’t stress too much. The greatest thing isn’t the bike itself — it’s the journeys you’ll experience with it.

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Mr. Old Man