Types Of Bicycles And Which One To Choose

Types Of Bicycles And Which One To Choose

The decision to choose a bicycle looks easy but it’s not, especially, when you have a variety of bicycle for sale to pick from and we are not talking about brands but the types.

Before you get overwhelmed by the types, this guide will serve as an introduction for you on the most common bicycle types you will see in a bicycle store.

1. Road Bicycles As the name suggests, these are meant for riding on roads. In fact, they are designed for riding on smooth pavements since they have skinny tires and drop handlebars. You can also ride them on paved trails but remember, things will get unstable.

2. Mountain Bicycles These bicycles are designed for rough off-road trails. They either have upright or flat handlebars. They come with suspensions which serve as shock absorbers. You can also use them for commuting or touring. However, they are not as light as a traditional bicycle.

3. Cruiser Bicycles

Cruisers are quite comfortable and so they are a perfect fit for casual riding. They have a large and comfortable seat and wide balloon-like tires. The handlebars are upright. The bicycle store will either have a cruiser bicycle in single-speed or 3-speed. It is the kind of bike you would want to keep for running errands.

4. Hybrid Bicycles A hybrid bicycle was designed to provide the advantage of a mountain and road bike. It comes with a large seat and upright handlebars so if you like going on casual riding around your neighborhood, run errands or bike on the path, it’s a perfect fit. The only problem is hybrid bikes are not as efficient as the road bikes. They usually come with medium width semi-smooth tread tires so you can expect a comfortable ride on the pavement.

How To Choose A Bicycle?

Now that you know the common types of bicycles, the next important thing to focus on is which one to choose. Here is a brief criterion for it:  Type of bicycle  Features/components  Bike fit  Budget Your decision should be based on the aforementioned factors. Let’s talk about each one.

You will first have to figure out what type of bicycle do you want and that depends on where you plan to ride. If you have plans on going on off-road adventures, you need a mountain bike. If you simply need one for commuting, you can either pick a hybrid bike or cruiser bike, depending on what you are comfortable with.

The next thing is the features. Components like brakes, gears, and suspensions determine how well a bicycle performs. As mentioned before, you will come across lots of brands and to narrow down your options, make a list of the features you want in your bicycle to make a quick decision.

Then comes the fit. It is extremely important to make sure the bicycle fits you and it is comfortable. Otherwise, even the one with great features isn’t going to be of any use.

The last thing is your budget. How much can you afford?

Once you have answers to all these questions ready in your head, you will come out of the bicycle store with the right bicycle.