When it comes to buying a new bike, there are a lot of different aspects to be considered, which makes the process of decision-making, not all that easy. The thing is, buying a new bike is, first of all, a pretty big investment. And secondly, aside from the money, a bicycle is something that you are probably going to end up spending a lot of time using, so – it’s very important for you to choose one that makes that time as enjoyable as possible.
6 Types of Bikes That Might Interest You
Road Bikes
Road bikes are pretty self-explanatory, bicycles that are designed for riding on roads and paved surfaces. They are also made to be lightweight and fast-moving, with narrow tires that ensure more speed on pavement. They also have multiple gears from which you can choose from, some of the bikes having even up to 18! This variety of gears is a great benefit when it comes to moving more quickly on level surfaces, as well as making it easier when you are climbing hills.
It’s getting more and more common for people to opt for road bikes with a small electric motor to supplement the pedals. The thing is, an electric bike is pretty popular with commuters, for the reason that they can get to work faster and with less effort. Another great thing when it comes to electric bikes is the fact that many of them can also run in electric-only mode if you want to catch a breath from all the pedaling.
Mountain Bikes
Mountain bikes are made in such a manner that they can take on even the most rugged off-road terrain that nature can offer. The reason for this is that they are built with aggressive, knobby tires that can find grip on almost any surface. They also have powerful brakes that use motorcycle-style discs and are generally heavier, which makes them more stable.
If we are talking about some more expensive models, they often even have suspension at both ends in order for you to have better control over rough ground. The gearing is, naturally, designed to get you up and down steep terrain, which means that it has a wide range to take on the varying gradients.
Hybrids
Now, road bikes and mountain bikes are the two most basic categories regarding the type of terrain. Of course, the terrain isn’t the only aspect that is important when it comes to bikes, so we need to categorize the purpose for which the bike is used in order to have better fitting categories.
Hybrids are, well, hybrids that have some characteristics of mountain bikes and some of the road bikes that are tweaked in a different manner depending on the purpose of the bike.
Fitness Hybrids
A fitness hybrid is a hybrid that is a great option for those who want to put a little more workout into their bike rides. It resembles a road bike more than it resembles a mountain bike since it’s relatively lightweight and doesn’t offer a suspension as good as a mountain bike does.
There are a few important distinctions from a road bike, though, the biggest one being that they have flat handlebars rather than the dropped, curved ones. Also, they provide a more upright riding position than a typical road bike, which ultimately makes them more comfortable to ride. The last thing is the wider tires, which provide more traction if you go off-road.
Sports Hybrids
A sports hybrid is a hybrid bike that’s closer to a regular mountain bike, but it provides a smooth experience if you want to use it on a terrain that’s less rough. They are a bit slower, though, considering that they are heavier than a regular road bike. They offer disc brakes and front suspension to help them stand up to rough scenarios, as well as rugged tires. When it comes to a wide range of gears found on a mountain bike, sports hybrids provide them as well.
Recommended Read: Finding the Right Bikes your Family Adventures
Comfort Hybrids
The purpose of comfort hybrids, as the name implies, really isn’t for the speed and going off-road, they’re best suited for casual cyclists who plan to mostly use their bikes for short trips. The most prominent features of these bikes are large, heavily cushioned seats, high, raised handlebars that are easy to control as well as tires that are wider than a road bike’s in order to give you extra cushioning and traction.
In the end, it all comes down to you taking time to assess what’s most important to you and if there are some less important things that you can compromise. That being said, think of the major purpose of the bike that you are buying, and start from there. Do your research on different models, read reviews, find out as much as you can, and when you are comfortable with all the information gathered – all that’s left is to make the purchase and enjoy
