Just because it has two wheels and moves forward when you pedal doesn’t
mean it’s the bike for you. Here’s our quick sure-cycle checklist to
make sure you pick the right bike for your fitness goals.
Bikes come in all shapes and sizes, but did you know they also come in
many different types? What style of bike you go with depends on where
you plan on taking it.
Let our bike guide steer you in the right direction.
Mountain Bike:
It's the bike that tends to easily stand out in the crowd. The average
mountain bike isn't built for speed but for durability and power. A
strong frame and oversized tires (larger than an average bike) help
give the rider the support and balance they need to push over whatever
dares to get in their way.
The tip-off: A set of straight handlebars for more support traveling downhill, deep-treaded tires and a thick frame:
Best for: Cyclists who do most or all of their riding off-road.
Road Racing Bike:
Built to travel at top speed, this aerodynamic style of bike is
wafer-thin and superlight. These bikes are built with less distance
from axle to axle to make them extra responsive to the conditions of
the road.
The tip-off: Most road racers typically have 12 or 18
gears and feature options that let you push the bike through faster
speeds, such as a pair of aerobars (compressed handlebars that aim
straight ahead) and composite wheels (three-to-five spoke wheels) for
less resistance.
Best for: Intermediate and advanced cyclists who like to race or simply appreciate speed.
Hybrid Bike:
It's exactly what it sounds like, a cross between a mountain bike and a
road racer. This 21-gear bike looks like a sleek version of a mountain
bike, complete with a set of straight upright handlebars. This
combination of qualities allows a hybrid to be ridden on a variety of
surfaces, but it's not as fast as a road racer or as aggressive as a
mountain bike.
The tip-off: Its seat is positioned to keep the body
in an upright riding position. It also has a set of straight handlebars
and wider tires (similar to a mountain bike) attached to a pair of
road-racing size wheels.
Best for: Beginning or intermediate cyclists who aren't sure what style of cycling they want to try.
Touring Bike:
If a road racer is the equivalent of a sprinter due to its powerful
bursts of speed over short distances, the touring bike is built more
like a marathoner. It's not the fastest bike on the lot, but it's the
most comfortable, at least during long-distance trips that may extend a
few days. To stave off muscle fatigue and pain as you ride, there's
even a set of drop handlebars that allow you to change hand positions
to help switch body positions.
The tip-off: These 21-gear road
handlers tend to have plenty of places to hook your travel gear onto,
such as fender racks and saddlebags. If it looks like a ski rack with
wheels, it's probably a touring bike.
Best for: Long-distance cyclists interested in using their bikes for a relaxing journey.
Sport Touring Bike:
The sport touring bike sacrifices a bit of the comfort you would expect
from an average tourist bike for extra power to push over hills and
more control when going downhill. Its 18- to 21-gear system also allows
the rider to travel at a speed that's faster than a touring bike but
slower than the average road racer.
The tip-off: Looks like a touring bike, but usually has a set of drop handlebars that allow you to change your hand positions.
Best for: Long-distance cyclists who cover long stretches on a daily
basis and need a bike that's responsive to speed when necessary.
Trackback(0)
 |
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
