If you liked a three-speed as a kid, you might still find it a fun bike. If you didn’t like the road bike you bought a few years ago, maybe it would be best to try a mountain bike. If you are buying a bike to use in a group, together with fellow cyclists, you may want to buy something similar to what they ride or you will not be able to keep up with road bikes if they have a mountain bike or a cruiser. And, at the same time, a road bike won’t fit whether you’re going to use it on dirt or sand.
When trying to decide on the best type of bike, think about these questions:
• What did you like in the past?
• What did you dislike?
• Where would you like to ride your new bike?
Once we understand this we can move on to better understand the type of bikes that exist and their differences.
Table of Contents:
Types of bikes: from road bikes to mountain bikes
Road bike
Road bikes are designed to be ridden quickly on smooth pavement. They have smooth, thin tires and “drop” handlebars and can be used for street racing. They are usually lighter than other types of bicycles. They can be driven on paved paths, but most people find them uncomfortable and unstable on dirt paths. Most road bikes cannot carry heavy loads, so they are not very suitable for commuting or touring
Touring bicycles
Touring bikes are another special type of road bike. They are designed to be driven on the pavement but are more durable for use over long distances. They have all the mounting bolts needed for roof racks and fenders, and although they still have drop handlebars, they usually have a more flexible frame design. Hence, the rider is more upright, for greater comfort when riding long distances for several days at the same time. They have a lower gear range than regular road bikes, to allow for carrying heavy loads up steep hills. They are also great commuter bikes, thanks to their durability and ability to carry heavy loads.
Triathlon bikes
Triathlon bikes are a type of road bike with a special design that maximizes their aerodynamic properties. The handlebar also has a special aerodynamic design that allows you to crouch forward while riding, to minimize wind resistance against your body. Triathlons usually have staggered starts, where each runner starts alone; these bikes usually cannot be used in series start races.
Mountain bikes
Mountain bikes are designed for riding on rough off-road trails. They have flat or upright handlebars and a very low gear range for pedalling on steep trails. Most have some kind of shock absorber or suspension. Mountain bikes with front suspension only are called hardtails while mountain bikes with front and rear suspension are called full-suspension or duallies bikes. Mountain bikes without suspension are called rigid.
Road bike and mountain bike combined: hybrid bikes
Hybrid bikes were originally designed to provide the benefits of both road bikes and mountain bikes. Their large padded seats and upright handlebars provide a comfortable riding position and are ideal for casual neighbourhood or bike lane driving, short-distance commuters and city errands. They can be ridden on paved roads, but are not as light or efficient as road bikes. They are ideal for paved or dirt bike paths but are not suitable for rough terrain for off-road mountain biking. The tires are usually medium-width with a semi-smooth tread pattern, to provide a smooth enough ride on asphalt, but enough grip and cushioning on unpaved trails. Most hybrid bikes have front suspensions to smooth out small bumps, but some are stiff.
In both cases, the brand to consider regardless of which type of bike you want to choose is the White Bicycles: a guarantee for decades, both for vehicles and accessories.