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Types Of Bikes
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Published: August 17, 2006
Roaming through aisles of tall racks holding an assortment of different types of bikes, one can easily become intimidated and confused. There are types of bikes with horn-shaped handlebars and others with horizontal handlebars; types of bikes with thin, smooth tires and ones with wide, grooved tires; types of bikes needing only two fingers to lift up and others requiring two strong arms to move it.
As one can see, the varieties are in the details, but the details are undoubtedly vast and potentially overwhelming. The most influential aspect of deciphering which bike is which actually has nothing to do with the bike itself.
Choosing the most efficient and safest bike depends on the surface the biker will ride on. However, after some basic and brief clarifications on the three most popular types of bikes, the confusion will settle as the enthusiasm heightens.
Mountain Bike: Made for off-road biking, the mountain bike is designed to withstand rough and rugged surfaces and relatively small jumps. With its seemingly unbreakable frame, most mountain bikes today contain a suspension system providing the rider with more comfort and safety over unstable grounds. Its wide tires with distinctively-designed treads increase traction over wet or slippery surfaces. Mountain bikes tend to have horizontal handlebars with brake handles underneath to maneuver during unstable surfaces. The mountain bike's purpose can vary from basic cross-country riding to actual mountain biking and extreme riding.
Popular Mountain Bike Manufacturers: Kona, Fuji, Haro, Giant.
Trek Road Bike: Also called racing bikes, road bikes are created for flat surfaces, mainly paved roads. Since road bikes are primarily concerned with speed, these ultra-light machines contain horn-shaped dropped handlebars to keep the rider in an aerodynamic position. Road bikes, which cyclists use in races like the Tour de France, gracefully glide on the road with smooth, thin tires, which can consequently result in crashes if mishandled. Subclasses of road bikes include time-trial bikes and indoor racing bikes.
Popular Road Bike Manufacturers: Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, Giant.
Hybrid Bike: The hybrid bike is derived from combining the road bike and the mountain bike. With a sturdy, yet relatively light frame, hybrid types of bikes can be used on both flat road and off-road surfaces. Its handlebars are somewhat turned and its wheels are as wide as two road bike tires, giving it the ability to ride across non-cement road surfaces, such as gravel or dirt. The hybrid provides the relaxed position of the mountain bike, but also the effectiveness of a road bike. Subclasses of hybrid bikes include urban bikes, easy off-road bikes and comfort bikes.
Popular Hybrid Bike Manufacturers: Bianchi, Trek, Cannondale.
There are additional modifications of these bikes, such as tandem bikes, which allow two people to ride the bike simultaneously, or recumbent bikes, permitting the bike rider to sit more comfortably in a chair-like apparatus. However, these brief descriptions represent the most popular types of bikes.
The details are evident and the functions diverse, but each of these types of bikes has the essentials: two wheels, a frame and brakes. Regardless of the location of the brake handles, the width of the tires or the metal of the frame, all bikes perform the same powerful function: they take you where you want to go. You just have to choose the path.
As one can see, the varieties are in the details, but the details are undoubtedly vast and potentially overwhelming. The most influential aspect of deciphering which bike is which actually has nothing to do with the bike itself.
Choosing the most efficient and safest bike depends on the surface the biker will ride on. However, after some basic and brief clarifications on the three most popular types of bikes, the confusion will settle as the enthusiasm heightens.
Mountain Bike: Made for off-road biking, the mountain bike is designed to withstand rough and rugged surfaces and relatively small jumps. With its seemingly unbreakable frame, most mountain bikes today contain a suspension system providing the rider with more comfort and safety over unstable grounds. Its wide tires with distinctively-designed treads increase traction over wet or slippery surfaces. Mountain bikes tend to have horizontal handlebars with brake handles underneath to maneuver during unstable surfaces. The mountain bike's purpose can vary from basic cross-country riding to actual mountain biking and extreme riding.
Popular Mountain Bike Manufacturers: Kona, Fuji, Haro, Giant.
Trek Road Bike: Also called racing bikes, road bikes are created for flat surfaces, mainly paved roads. Since road bikes are primarily concerned with speed, these ultra-light machines contain horn-shaped dropped handlebars to keep the rider in an aerodynamic position. Road bikes, which cyclists use in races like the Tour de France, gracefully glide on the road with smooth, thin tires, which can consequently result in crashes if mishandled. Subclasses of road bikes include time-trial bikes and indoor racing bikes.
Popular Road Bike Manufacturers: Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, Giant.
Hybrid Bike: The hybrid bike is derived from combining the road bike and the mountain bike. With a sturdy, yet relatively light frame, hybrid types of bikes can be used on both flat road and off-road surfaces. Its handlebars are somewhat turned and its wheels are as wide as two road bike tires, giving it the ability to ride across non-cement road surfaces, such as gravel or dirt. The hybrid provides the relaxed position of the mountain bike, but also the effectiveness of a road bike. Subclasses of hybrid bikes include urban bikes, easy off-road bikes and comfort bikes.
Popular Hybrid Bike Manufacturers: Bianchi, Trek, Cannondale.
There are additional modifications of these bikes, such as tandem bikes, which allow two people to ride the bike simultaneously, or recumbent bikes, permitting the bike rider to sit more comfortably in a chair-like apparatus. However, these brief descriptions represent the most popular types of bikes.
The details are evident and the functions diverse, but each of these types of bikes has the essentials: two wheels, a frame and brakes. Regardless of the location of the brake handles, the width of the tires or the metal of the frame, all bikes perform the same powerful function: they take you where you want to go. You just have to choose the path.
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