Buying A Bicycle

Buying A Bicycle

There are road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids, cruisers, and many other styles. I am going to go over the most common types of bike out there and break it into categories.


Road bicycle


The term road bicycle is used to describe bicycles built for traveling at speed on paved roads. Some sources use the term to mean racing bicycle. Other sources specifically exclude racing bicycles from the definition, using the term to mean a bicycle of a similar style but built more for endurance and less the fast bursts of speed desired in a racing bicycle; as such, they usually have more gear combinations and fewer hi-tech racing features. Certain of these bicycles have been referred to as 'sportive' bicycles to distinguish them from racing bicycles.
Compared to other styles of bicycle, road bicycles share common features:

• The tires are narrow, high-pressure, and smooth to decrease rolling resistance.
• They usually use multiple derailleur gears; however, single-speed and fixed-gear varieties exist.
• The bicycle is of a lightweight construction.

In short I would define a road bike as any bicycle that is meant to be traveled pretty much exclusively on the pavement. When I was growing up, they were often called 10-speeds. Road bikes tend to have narrow tires, "drop"-style handlebars (they curve out and around) and are built for speed. Most modern road bikes are made out of aluminum for a entry-level model and carbon fiber for expensive models. Here is an example of a typical road bike:

Road Bike

Road Bike

Road Bike

Pros of Road Bike:  Road Bike is Designed for paved streets and going fast. Thinner tires, a lightweight frame and a seating position that puts you bent over the handlebars (which are usually the curvy ones) are all physical attributes you’ll spot with these.
Cons of Road Bike: Using these to travel through woods/off-road/rough terrain is as popular as hiking in high heels. They need somewhat smooth roads/pavement. Expensive.




Mountain Bike:
 
A mountain bike or mountain bicycle (abbreviated MTB or ATB (all-terrain bicycle)) is a bicycle created for off-road cycling. This activity includes traversing of rocks and washouts, and steep declines, on dirt trails, logging roads, and other unpaved environments—activities usually called mountain biking. These bicycles need to be able to withstand the stresses of off-road use with obstacles such as logs and rocks. Most mountain bikes use wheels with rims which are 559mm in ISO sizing, colloquially referred to as "26-inch", although the term is inaccurate as it covers too many rim and tire sizes to be meaningful. Wheels used on mountain bikes usually use wide, knobby tires for good traction on uneven terrain and shock absorption. Since 2000, front wheel suspension has become the norm and full front and rear suspension has become increasingly common. Some mountain bikes are also fitted with bar ends on the handlebars to give extra leverage for hill-climbing.

Mountain Bike

Mountain Bike

Mountain Bike

Pros: With generally heavier frames, wider tires with knobbly bits on them, and typically more comfortable to cycle, mountain bikes are more durable over rough terrain and have seating positions that allow you to sit more upright, with the flat handlebars… which is probably the better option for people who suffer with back problems. These can be considerably less expensive than road bikes. Cons: Their durability and stability in rougher terrain result in a sacrifice of speed elsewhere. The many “extras” one can get on mountain bikes are usually arbitrary features for the average cyclist. Unless your mind is set on particular off-road road routes, where you’re gonna be bouncing all over, an expensive “pimped out” mountain bike may not be for you.


Hybrid bicycle

A hybrid bicycle is a bicycle designed for general-purpose utility and commuting on a wide variety of surfaces, including paved and unpaved roads, paths and trails. It combines features from the road bike and the mountain bike, and includes variants such as the city bike, cross bike and commuter.
In general, hybrids use the mountain bike's triple crank, its handlebars, giving a more upright posture than road bicycles, and its brakes such as linear pull or disc. From the road bicycle they often take the 700c (larger) wheel diameter for higher speeds, but use a wider rim and tire for increased strength.
 Detail:
A hybrid is just that: a hybrid between a road bike and a mountain bike. Kind of like a cyclocross except hybrids generally have flat bars instead of drop bars like a mountain bike. Hybrids tend to run the bigger road style tires, but have wider rims and tires. Hybrids tend to be beefier frame wise and also have hardware slots for water bottle holders and racks. Some also call these comfort bikes. But, the difference is comfort bikes are made more for a bike path than the street. Some hybrids have shocks built into the frame and forks which people either love or hate. Shocks make your ride more smooth, but they also make your ride slower and if you are commuting, that means you need to get up earlier. Still, a hybrid makes a good choice for someone that has been out of cycling for a while, but wants something that can be taken about anywhere. Hybrids can be taken off road, but doing a lot of serious mountain biking on bumpy terrain would not be a great idea. Here is an example of a hybrid I just picked up a couple of weeks ago: Not thee bike, but the same model:

Hybrid Bike

Hybrid Bike

Hybrid Bike

Pros: Basically, hybrids try to take the best of both worlds. Quicker than mountain bikes and more sturdy and comfortable than road bikes, these are considered the best for the average cyclist just looking to take short city cycles, or going to the shops.
Cons: To you and I, there are no major cons to these. However, if you’re a racer, or an avid rough-downhill-mountainy-cyclist-type-person, you’re better off going for one of the “pure bloods” above.