If you’re itching to purchase your first real bike and cannot decide between a mountain bike (MTB) or a road bike, know first that each serves a different purpose.
Road bikes, as their name suggest, are intended for smooth, paved roads. Those skinny, narrow tires ride best on concrete, so they’re well-suited for tours. The handlebars are usually curled, but you have the option to get a flat-bar type if that’s more comfortable for you. Road bikes are built for speed; they’re the kind used in Tour de France, so expect a good cardio workout when you’re in the saddle.
MTB, meanwhile, is designed for tough trails. The huge tires allow you to maneuver in mud, rocks, branches, logs—depending on your skills, of course. Since you will be maneuvering a lot, you’ll be using many muscle groups in the process. You can take this on the road with you, but MTBs are heavier than road bikes so expect to lose speed—especially when going uphill. (I once rode an MTB during a Baguio to Sagada tour, and while I never stepped down from my bike until I finished the tour, it was one of the most punishing, painful rides I had ever experienced.)
But if you just need a bike to go around your village, then get a commuter bike. It’s still going to give you a good workout.
Trek Bikes on Two Parkade, 30th Street, Bonifacio Global City, offers bikes for different kinds of personalities. Trek is one of the largest bicycle brands in the world. Bike price ranges from P15,000-plus all the way up to hundreds of thousands.
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