Mountain Bike Vs Road Bike For Commuting. Although road bikes are better designed for racing, there's no shame in wanting to add a little speed to your day-to-day. A mountain bike and a road bike has completely different designs.
If you plan to use your bike for exploration as well as exercise and commuting, though, you will need the more versatile mountain bike. We have attempted here to find a bike for many eventualities – whether you are a road commuter looking for an off-road bike or a mountain biker looking for a road rig. Recreational bikes are designed for road, fitness, commuting and general use, requiring them to be versatile, durable and comfortable.
You need to understand the difference between a mountain bike and a road bike.
However, I would say that a mountain bike can make for a better choice if your possible shortcuts have anything close to a non-street.
The suspension(s), the wide knobby tires and the hefty components make MTBs perfect for rough terrain commutes. They are very light and aerodynamic but unforgiving on rough or unmetalled roads. Yes, a mountain bike is good for commuting if you value comfort and will be riding on rough terrain (streets in poor condition, dirt trails, etc.).