wunderkind : it is definitely not a MTB. Yes it is geared more like a MTB. I have a old 80's Huffy Grand Canyon MTB. The MTB has a road style frame. The Denali is way faster and rides a lot better then the MTB. They both weight about the same. On the MTB I can top out at 22 mph but on the Denali I top out at 31 mph. Both have the same gearing and weight the same. And the MTB has of smooth (non-threaded) tires. The Denalis weight is 29 lbs