Buying a bicycle is a momentous event, similar to marriage: you are acquiring a partner.
Dervla Murphy.
It sounds like a simple task, what else do I need to know if I'm just going to buy a bike. However every bike has its pro and its counter points, and although we see all types of bikes in any type of circumstances, each one is made for a specific type of use, this does not mean that we can not use a mountain bike in the city, but its performance will be affected as well as our comfort during the use of it. So in this post I will show you the most notorious differences between the different types of bikes that we can find in the market.
URBAN BIKE
This is perhaps the most versatile bicycle, and in the last few years we can see more of this bikes on the street, despite its great history the boom of mountain bikes during the 1990s overshadowed its existence, and in the last decade we have seen more brands and more models that point to this type of bikes made for the city.
The points in favor of this bicycle are many, a comfortable driving position, with the back straight and the arms stretched, the greater percentage of weight is supported in the seat therefore the daily and continuous use will not affect in the comfort of the driver. They are usually single speed bikes or at most six speeds, with a basic fork suspension system, or even many times without any shock absorber, as it is not an important condition for urban use. This means that we have less maintenance on the bicycle, less risk of breakage of components, and even a relatively light and agile bicycle.
MOUNTAIN BIKE
Surely one of the most sold bicycles and what more we can see in the street, or at least that happens here. In the early 90's began the furor by mountain bike, sold as a versatile bicycle for any type of daily use. A wide wheel bike with cleats ends up making it very heavy to pedal if our use is reduced to paved streets. It has a comfortable position, but the number of components (24 speeds, 2 derailments, suspension, double disc brake with their jaws, all this makes a relatively heavy bicycle.) It is highly recommended if you live in an area with dirt or gravel roads , or if you simply like to make some escape to places a little more rugged.
FOLDING
Folding bikes have become very popular in recent years, and unlike a traditional urban bike, this is characterized by having the virtue of being able to fold and it can reduce itself even a little less than half its original size.
It is a bike specifically made for short distance due to its small wheel, and to be easily moved on the subway or in a bus.
Beyond being an agile and practical bike, it does not have much more benefits than those, since it will not have a good performance over long distances, also in not great for all terrain and its position in prolonged riding can have its consequences if you are a tall person.
ROAD BIKE
The road bike is perhaps seen as something above traditional bikes, something that only cycling enthusiasts, professionals or people who have a training plan use.
But it is not so, it is a very agile bike, light and fine wheels that will allow us to move quickly and very smoothly. Generally the geometry of the frame makes it have a relatively comfortable handling position, ideal for long distances, training and for a fast urban use.
The biggest cons of this bike are its high prices, due to the materials and costs of the components, and its lack when facing dusty roads or gravel.
FIXIE
The FIXIE bike or fixed gear bikes comes out from the velodromes, a bicycle with no speeds and fixed transmission, what means this? while the bicycle is moving the pedals set to the rear wheel are moving too. In the decade of the 80s these bicycles were very popular into the messengers of New York and Europe, due to a low cost, little maintenance thanks to the shortage of components, and a pedaling aided by the thrust inertia of the same bicycle. With no loss of energy during use, and a very easy high speed these bikes were preferred by the bike message movement at that time, and in recent years this movement has been reborn. The biggest downside of this bike is its uncomfortable posture for prolonged use due to its low geometry, and like the road bike its fine wheels make it difficult to drive on dirty roads.
Remember, regardless of what type of bike you decide to buy, what you should always consider is to have an idea of what your size is, you can consult some site with a calculator in google, or you can ask in your bike shop to advise you on that aspect, a bicycle with a wrong size can end up in an injury to your lower back, or legs. Be sure to be clear about what the purpose of it will be, and always encourage the use of the bicycle, not has benefits for you, but a a benefit for all.
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