I learned to ride a bike when I was in my first grade. I used to sneak out during siesta and ride around the neighborhood under the sun. Bicycling then was all about fun and when we get older, bicycling becomes an exercise. Nowadays, it has become a lifestyle or an escape from a stressful week-long work. Besides from the above mentioned, it can also be a great way to run errands, commute to work or experience a back-country trail, not to mention more serious pursuits such as touring or racing. Whatever our goals, there are a number of bicycle options that will take us there.
Ride with me in this article as we head into the road to selecting the right bikes, may you be a beginner, a casual rider or one who haven't ridden in a while.
What's Your Primary Riding Style?
Your first consideration is to know where you'll be riding: on pavement, dirt trails or both. Some bicycles are made specifically for a particular kind of riding surface, while others are versatile enough that, perhaps with a quick tire change, they can be ridden in more than one category.
Before you slap down your hard-earned money or swipe that card for a bike, though, ponder why, where and how you're riding or want to ride. Answering those questions will help you figure out what bike will best fit your needs.
So, why do you want to ride — to exercise, commute to work, run errands or just for leisure? Where do you want to ride — potholed city streets, open roads, gravel bike trails, maybe a mix of environments? Finally, how do you like to ride — in an upright position, leisurely paced or always leaning forward, in race mode wherever you go?
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| Image via Wikipedia |
Why: Fitness riding, commuting, long-distance/event rides, touring and racing.
Where: Good for multiple pavement uses
How: Aerodynamic or upright riding position
Road bikes are distinguished by 2 basic handlebar styles:
(1)Drop-bar handlebars are lightweight and aerodynamic and are a better choice if you want to go faster or are more concerned with efficiently transferring your energy into making the bike move forward. They also allow for a greater number of riding and hand positions than flat-bars. Their more aerodynamic riding position (bent over at the waist) may put more strain on your back if you are less flexible.
(2) Flat-bar handlebars combine the efficiency of drop-bar road bikes with a slightly more upright riding position. This allows you to sit up in a higher and more relaxed position so you can better see the road and potential hazards. An upright position also reduces strain on your hands, wrists and shoulders. This increased versatility comes with the trade off of being slightly less efficient (from an aerodynamic standpoint) than the typical drop-bar road bike.
Image via WikipediaWhy: Good choice for commuting because they can withstand potholes and other city obstacles while still providing comfort.
Where: Dirt or rocky trails and gravel roads; OK for pavement too (with tire change).
How: Upright riding position
Mountain bikes come in 2 basic varieties:
(1) Hardtail bikes feature a front suspension fork and a rigid back with no rear suspension shocks.
-less expensive and lighter in weight than a typical full-suspension mountain bike
-more versatile to use for both paved and unpaved surfaces
-less able to safely handle more technical singletrack trails, provides less overall shock absorption and, in some situations, delivers less rear wheel traction.
(2) Full-suspension bikes have both front and rear suspension shocks
-ideal for backcountry trails or technical (steep, bumpy, twisty) singletrack
-best for aggressive riding including jumps or drops of up to 5 feet
-more expensive and generally heavier than hardtail bikes.
Recreational bike
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| Image via Wikipedia |
Where: Pavement or gravel/dirt roads. Ideal for riding around flat neighborhoods, parks and bike paths
How: comfort and ease of handling
There are 2 common varieties of recreational bikes:
(1) Comfort bikes
- slightly wider 26-inch tires than other pavement bikes, a comfortable seat and a very relaxed sitting position
- many styles also offer a suspension seatpost that compresses when you sit on it, providing extra comfort and shock absorption
- some comfort bikes even have internally geared rear hubs for easy maintenance
(2) Hybrid bikes aim to offer the best of the road- and comfort-bike worlds
- comfortable seat, upright sitting position and (often) suspension forks and/or seatposts
- more efficient pedaling of 700-millimeter (700c) wheels versus the comfort bikes with 26-inch wheels
- good choice if you want to commute to work and enjoy leisurely rides through the park
Urban bike - Designed with city streets in mind, urban bikes are rugged and sturdy with tough frames and strong wheels.
Why: city streets biking
Where: Pavement or some gravel roads.
How: upright riding position that allows you to better see, and be seen by motorists
Description: They feature an
Women's bike
Best for: Those who have the more typical woman's body proportions of longer leg length relative to torso length.
Description: These bikes—which can be road, mountain, comfort or hybrid bikes—feature frame geometries, handlebars and wider saddles that are tailored to better fit the typical female body proportion. For instance, the top tube frame lengths on women's bikes are generally about 1 to 3 centimeters shorter than men's bikes, so the reach (saddle to handlebar) is shorter and fits most women better. These bikes also feature shorter-reach shifters that better fit women's hands.
Other Bike Categories
Cyclocross bikes: Cyclocross is a form of bike racing that involves taking laps around courses that feature a variety of terrain including pavement, dirt trails and grass.
Cyclocross bikes are lightweight yet tough enough to deal with extreme conditions.
Folding bikes: a bicycle designed to fold into a compact form, facilitating transport and storage. When folded, the bikes can be more easily carried into buildings and workplaces or onto public transportation (facilitating mixed-mode commuting) or more easily stored in compact living quarters or aboard a car, boat or plane.
Electric-assist bikes: also known as an e-bike, is a bicycle with an electric motor used to power the vehicle.
Fixed-gear bikes: is a bicycle that has no freewheel, meaning it cannot coast, as the pedals are always in motion when the bicycle is moving. The sprocket, or cog, is threaded or bolted directly to a fixed rear hub. When the rear wheel turns, the pedals turn in the same direction. This allows a cyclist to stop without using a brake, by resisting the rotation of the cranks, and also to ride in reverse.
Make Sure it Fits You
Find the frame that best fits your leg length, try this simple stand-over exercise: throw your leg over the bike's top tube and straddle it. Generally you want about 1" of clearance for a road bike and about 2" or more for a mountain bike. Recreation and comfort bikes generally offer plenty of stand-over room already. Wear shoes to get an accurate reading.
Stand-over height
Now consider the seat height. You want to make sure your leg has a slight bend when your pedal is at its lowest point in its rotation. To achieve this may involve making simple up or down adjustments to the seat height.
You should also have the proper reach to the handlebars. Your arms should not be fully extended; rather, your elbows should be slightly bent so that you feel comfortable and not too far away or too close to the handlebars.
A test ride is a great way to discover what the best bike is for you.
Protect Yourself
Bicycling comes with many useful accessories and safety gear. The only real "must have" is a helmet. As with your bike, it's important that a helmet fits you properly.
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