Cycling is one of the most pleasurable outdoor excursions with many health benefits. Having a bicycle that fulfills all your needs can enhance your whole experience. If you are new to riding, picking the right bicycle isn’t as simple as you’re thinking.
There are countless choices to choose from, and not every bike is used for the same purpose. To make your cycling journey smooth and pleasant, we have prepared a buyer’s guide to bikes.
Types of Bicycles
Before shopping for your perfect bicycles, know about their different types and what they are used for. Let’s take a look at that.
1. Road Bike
It’s one of the common types that you must have already used while learning how to ride. Road bikes are made to provide a smooth ride on roads, pavements, and bike paths. They are designed to offer speed and convenience to the rider; therefore, the newer designs are so lightweight.
Primarily Used for:
- Touring
- Road racing
- Commuting
Design
The design of these bikes is based on aerodynamics. It has thin tires, a lightweight frame, and handlebars with 24 gears. This unique build allows higher speed and transversing up hills during the ride. Besides day-to-day activities or leisure, you can even use road bikes for racing because of their top speed.
You’ll have to lean forward to ride the bike; this position might feel a little aggressive at first, but you’ll get used to it. Most road bikes don’t have suspension as they are mainly for roads and pavements.
Its Other Variants
While searching for road bikes, you may come across many options within this category because of their various purposes. There are road racing bikes with more aggressive framers and aerodynamics, or some comfortable road bikes can be best for touring or longer rides.
Read: Top 5 Road Bikes to Buy
2. Mountain Bikes
After road bikes, mountain bikes are the most common. They are built for off-road use, but you can also use them on-road. They are a lot heavier than usual road bikes, so you need more effort for pedaling.
Primarily Used for:
- Off-road riding
- Trail riding
Design
Their design is sturdier than road bikes since they are built for mountain riding. It has a strong frame with thick tires that offers a good grip on any surface. Moreover, they have power disc brakes and various gears that easily help ride up or down a steep mountain. Mountains are usually bumpy, so these bikes are made shock-proof with some suspension for a smooth ride.
Other Variants to Look for
The mountain bikes are also of two types, hardtail mountain bikes, and full suspension bikes. The hardtail bikes only have suspension on the front, whereas the latter has suspension on both the front and back.
Learn more: 5 Best Mountain Bikes for Beginners In 2022
3. Hybrid Bikes
You might have already guessed it right; hybrid bikes offer the features of both road and mountain bikes. Although mountain bikes can be used on the road, their heavy weight makes them impractical for everyday use. Hybrid bikes are perfect for daily commutes, and you can take them to the mountains. You can even get a hybrid e-bike for more convenience.
Primarily Used for
- Trailing
- Commute
- Touring
Design
Hybrid bikes don’t have the same aerodynamic build or high speed as a road bike but are more lightweight than mountain bikes so that you can enjoy both bikes in one. Their frame is not as aggressive as road bikes and is lower-back friendly. Its design includes extended or flat handlebars, unlike the drop handlebars of road bikes.
In addition, it has powerful disc brakes that let ride smoothly during wet weather or traffic. Most hybrid bikes also offer mounts to attach bags for more convenience. There are more electric
Check out 5 Best Hybrid Bikes Under $1000 To Buy In 2022
4. Electric Bikes
Electric bikes or e-bikes have gained much traction along with other latest technical advancements. These bikes are the same as regular road bikes but use an electric motor for pedaling, so you don’t have to. Electric bikes are great if you have long commutes or have trouble riding manual bikes.
Here are the 10 Electric Bikes to Buy Right Now 2022
5. Touring Bikes
Touring bikes are an excellent alternative for hybrid or road bikes because they keep you comfortable throughout your cross-country adventure. They are designed to handle heavy loads of rough roads and maintain stability.
Most people love cycling days or weeks to enjoy the scenic route; these bikes are made for them. It also comes with racks to store the stuff. Therefore, there are many options for touring bikes depending on the terrain, weight of luggage, duration of riding, etc.
6. Folding Bikes
These bikes are super convenient as they fold and fit anywhere. People carry them around in subway trains or keep them inside their apartments. They have tiny wheels and come with an aluminum and steel frame.
Other Bikes
Some other bikes available in the market are:
- Cruiser bikes: Mainly used for casual cruising on the beach. They come with ample and relaxed seating in a comfortable position.
- Gravel bikes: Same as a hybrid bike but are more suitable for riding on dirt or paved roads.
- Cyclocross bikes: primarily used by cycle racers in their tournaments
- Single-speed bikes: They are light bikes with fewer moving parts, so you don’t need much maintenance. Perfect for quick rides.
Don’t Forget to Set the Budget
The budget must be the essential thing to consider before finalizing any bike. Bikes can range anywhere from $80 to $1000 or more. If you are a beginner and need one for learning, we’d suggest getting a cost-friendly yet reliable bike. High-end bikes are great for the long term, but they have expensive running costs; however, they will require less maintenance.
If you love outdoor activities and are always looking for great product reviews, you can explore our website. Outdoor Trends is the ultimate platform that reviews everything, including professional hoverboards, best hardtail mountain bikes reviewed and rated, kayak fish finders, and more.
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