Choosing the Right Bike

If you are new to cycling, the first thing you maylittle more cushion. Mountain bikes tend to weigh
notice is just how many different types of bikes aremore like 25 to 35 lbs. because they are built to
available these days. Choosing the right bike can behandle much more abuse than a road bike. Mountain
down right daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Let'sbikes are ideal for riding cross country, on single track
try to clear things up. . .trails, dirt roads, and climbing and descending
No one bike can do everything. The first thing youmountain trails.
need to consider is how you want to use the bike.Hybrid Bike
Are you going to be using it mostly on the road? DoA hybrid bike provides the efficiency of a road bike
you want to take it off-road? Unless you're lookingand the comfortable riding position of a mountain
for a trick bike, beach cruiser, or other specialty typebike. The tires are almost as narrow as a road bike
bike, there are really three main types of bikes: roadand a little thicker to provide for a slightly more
bikes, mountain bikes and hybrid bikes.comfortable ride by absorbing small bumps. Hybrid
Road Bikebikes can also be built tough to handle light trails and
Road bikes are made of lightweight materials. Somecross country rides, so they are a little heavier than
high-end road bikes weigh as little as 15 lbs. Theyroad bikes. Hybrid bikes generally don't have a front
have very narrow tires that are filled with so muchshock as mountain bikes do, so they're not meant to
air they are nearly rock solid. Narrow, hard tireshandle a very long off-road ride. On trails it will be
provide for very low rolling resistance, but little to nobumpier, but that's the way it used to be done
shock absorption to soften the ride. The handlebarsbefore shocks came on the scene. The hybrid bike is
are situated so that you maintain a very aerodynamicfor you if:
position. Curved handlebars give you multiple options- You can only afford one bike and like to road bike
for hand positioning. When you take longer trips it'sand do a little mountain biking, or
nice to be able to move your hands around to- You like to road bike but don't like leaning over so
different positions to keep from going numb. Also,far and want a little softer ride, or
bear in mind that carbon bars and forks, saddles, rims- You're a commuter and like the speed of a road
and tires can help with the vibration, as well as barbike but want to sit up a little higher to see traffic
tape. These are nice if you plan on doing a lot ofOf course, there are certainly many more choices
riding. A road bike is suitable for fitness riding, dayout there than just road, mountain and hybrid bikes.
touring and competitions. It is not suitable forBicycle manufacturers are doing everything they can
off-road riding.to differentiate and provide niche products but these
Mountain Bikerepresent the largest share of the bikes available
Mountain bikes come in two types: hardtail andtoday.
full-suspension. Hardtail mountain bikes have only aSome manufacturers actually custom build and tune
front suspension fork with typically 2" to 4" of travelthe bike specifically for you.
that absorbs the bumps while riding (your legs do theThe nutshell. . . If you want to strictly ride on roads
work in the back). Full-suspension mountain bikes alsoand don't mind the bent over position, choose a road
have a front suspension fork and add a rearbike. If you want to ride cross country, on
suspension system as well. Since aerodynamics aren'tsingle-track mountain trails and other dirt roads
quite as important as a road bike the riding position isextensively, choose a mountain bike. If you need
more upright. The tires are knobby, wider than asomething that can be a little bit of both, or you're a
road bike and thicker. They provide for better gripcommuter that likes riding in a more upright, more
and stability on all kinds of surfaces and provide acomfortable position, choose a hybrid bike.