What Are the Differences Between Dirt Bikes & Pedal Bikes?

The differences between dirt bikes and pedal bikes range from the construction to the common uses. The most obvious difference is that a dirt bike has a motor. Some other differences are in weight, braking and wheels. Whichever your preference, both dirt bikes and pedal bikes offer physically and mentally rewarding rides.

  1. Weight

    • Dirt bikes weigh significantly more than pedal bikes. Most adult-size dirt bikes weigh from 150 to 250 lbs., whereas most pedal bikes weigh 25 lbs. or less. Much of the difference is attributable to the dirt bike motor. It is important for a dirt bike to weigh more in general because of its greater speed capability and the torque a motor puts on a frame. The weight goal for a pedal bike is often just the opposite, where the lighter the bike, the faster the rider can propel it.

    Braking

    • A pedal bike has a simple braking mechanism in which pads squeeze tires.

      The braking mechanism on a pedal bike is quite simple, typically involving a brake lever, a brake cable and brake pads that manually stop the wheels on the rims. On a dirt bike the braking system is more complicated, although the idea is the same. A dirt bike has disc brakes or drum brakes, in which hydraulics use fluid pressure rather than the manual pressure of a cable to stop the bike when the rider squeezes the brake lever or presses the brake pedal.

    Wheels and Tires

    • A dirt bike generally has large, stocky, thick tires with thick tread.

      Size and weight are the main differences between dirt bike wheels and tires and those on pedal bikes. Dirt bike tires are essentially stocky, thick, heavy versions of pedal bike tires. Pedal bikes often use lightweight wheels and tires and less tread, even for off-road models, because they make speed easier to achieve. Dirt bikes use larger, heavier tires with larger treads, because they provide traction for the bikes to safely propel forward and reach higher speeds.

    Motor

    • A dirt bike has a gas-powered motor controlled by a throttle, which is a handlebar version of a gas pedal. The motor propels the dirt bike to speeds exceeding 60 mph in some cases. A pedal bike uses human power. An elite cyclist on a road bike can average 25 mph or more over a long distance, and hit 50 to 60 mph going downhill.

    Common Uses

    • Dirt bikes are commonly used in off-road settings, such as a dirt track and racing through trails in the woods. Some farmers use dirt bikes as a fast way to check fences, and on occasion some dirt bikes have blinkers, mirrors and brake lights added to make them legal to drive in traffic. Pedal bikes are most often ridden on paved areas or established off-road trails.