| Depending on the type of riding you prefer there is a | | | | weight. Carbon frames are available on more |
| bicycle specially designed for that style. It can be said | | | | expensive bikes. The tires will be wide, in some |
| that there is not one bike that can do it all. Try | | | | instances over 2 inches, with a low air pressure of |
| taking a road bike down a mountain trail and you will | | | | about 40psi. |
| not like the results. And although a downhill bike can | | | | The geometry of an MTB varies given the style of |
| certainly follow the trail of a road bike, it will not do | | | | riding it was designed for, but like the road bike the |
| so very effectively. | | | | geometry will be designed for efficiency in mind given |
| There are three major categories of bicycles, road, | | | | the bikes purpose. A downhill racer will be much |
| mountain, and hybrid. Each of these categories will | | | | different than a cross country model. Almost every |
| have sub categories further defining a specialized role. | | | | type of MTB will have some form of suspension |
| And even then these sub categories can be broken | | | | which will vary again due to the particular style of |
| down into different types as well. A good example | | | | riding the bike is meant for. |
| of this would be a mountain bike in the all mountain | | | | The hybrid category is best described as a cross |
| sub category falling into one of two different types, | | | | between a road bike and an MTB. Designed for |
| full suspension or hard tail. | | | | general purpose all around riding it can perform well in |
| Road bikes are the easiest type of bicycle to explain. | | | | both on road and off road conditions. But there has |
| They are meant primarily for riding on hard paved | | | | to be some compensation therefore the hybrid will |
| surfaces. The frames are very lightweight and stiff. A | | | | not equal the performance levels of a road bike or an |
| stiff frame equates to a very responsive ride | | | | MTB. |
| without the soft feel that you would feel in other | | | | Similar in geometry to an MTB the hybrid puts the |
| types of frames. There will not be any suspension on | | | | rider in an upright position. It will have thinner tires |
| a road bike. The tire will be very narrow and pumped | | | | than an MTB, more similar to those of a road bike |
| to a high pressure of over 100psi. | | | | for better performance on paved surfaces. But for |
| The dropped handlebars put the rider into a riding | | | | off road use the tires will be wider than those of a |
| position that is extremely effective in transferring the | | | | road bike. These features are what give the hybrid a |
| rider's energy through the drive train to the road. All | | | | wide range of riding situations but with some |
| of the characteristics of the road bike are for this | | | | performance limitations. For an aspiring cyclist a hybrid |
| reason, to transfer energy effectively. For example a | | | | can be a wise choice for general all purpose riding. |
| suspension system would dampen some of that | | | | It is not uncommon for an avid cyclist to own more |
| energy reducing the effectiveness. | | | | than one bike, different bikes for different rides. In |
| Mountain bikes are much more complex to describe | | | | some European countries it is normal for people to |
| due to the many different types. Mountain bikes, | | | | have four or five bicycles. In the U.S. two to three |
| often referred to as MTB's, will have several | | | | bikes is common among serious riders. Given the fact |
| categories and sub categories. In general however | | | | that no one bike can do it all, then perhaps if you can |
| MTB's share many common features. | | | | afford to do so owning more than one bike is a wise |
| MTB's will have large diameter frames for durability. | | | | decision. |
| Most frames today are made of aluminum for light | | | | |