|
Whether you want to help the environment, cut down on your gasoline expenses, or simply exercise in the great outdoors, cycling is a great way to get fit and have fun at the same time. And it’s one of the fastest growing leisure activities in the United States, where 1.3 million adult bicycles were sold in 2004 alone. But buying the right bike isn’t as simple as visiting your local "big box" retail store. First, you must think about exactly where you will be riding and how often. Is comfort your biggest concern or do you care more about how the bike looks? Will you be taking leisurely rides around the countryside or are competitive races more your speed? Whatever you decide, there is a bike that fits. Here are the six most popular types of bicycles for adults, along with details that will help you pick the best one for your needs. Mountain bikes ($400+) are rugged. They're built with stronger components and frames than other bikes because they're intended for off-road riding on hills and over rocks and logs. The knobby tires and suspension systems on these bikes give them better traction and shock absorption on this varied terrain, but you can ride a mountain bike on-road too. With most mountain bikes you can expect: 26-inch wheels, 21-27 gears, a forward-leaning position when seated (which can be uncomfortable, especially if you have lower back problems), and lower gears for easier hill climbing. Trail bikes and light-duty mountain bikes ($200+) are similar to mountain bikes, but a little heavier, less rugged, and less expensive. Meant for trail and road riding, these bikes can't handle the rough terrain that true mountain bikes can. These bikes are ideal for a casual riders such as college students, commuters, and recreational riders. Most trail bikes will have: 26-inch wheels and 21-24 gears. Comfort bikes ($200+) are similar to both mountain and trail bikes, but are designed to be more comfortable. With a shorter distance between the seat and the handlebars, you'll sit in a more upright position on a comfort bike (which is good for people who have lower back problems). Expect a smooth ride on a comfort bike, as most will have: 26-inch wheels, 7-24 gears, and other comfort-enhancing features like wide, soft saddles (seats), wide pedals, and shock-absorbing seat posts, handlebar stems, and front forks. Touring bikes and road bikes ($400+) are aerodynamic, lightweight and fast—very different from the bikes described so far. They are built for pavement (on-road) riding, so they have smooth and narrow tires, skinny saddles, and "turned-down" handlebars. These bikes are ideal for long-distance riders who want more speed and intense workouts. Both touring and road bikes tend to have 27-inch (700C) wheels and 14-27 gears. You can expect most touring models to have a longer wheelbase, greater shock-absorbency, and a variety of ways to attach carrying racks and bags. In contrast, road bikes usually have a slightly shorter wheelbase (for faster response) and weigh less. Continued › |
|
SparkPeople advertisers help keep the site free! Learn more
Fitness Articles › Focused FitnessTips for Buying the Right BicycleAn Introduction to Styles, Frames and Sizes-- By Leanne Beattie, Health & Fitness Writer & Nicole Nichols, Fitness InstructorSparkPeople advertisers help keep the site free! Learn more
Related Content
About The Author
Leanne Beattie
A freelance writer, marketing consultant and life coach, Leanne often writes about health and nutrition. See all of Leanne's articles. 
|
.jpg)
If people only ate when they felt true hunger, few of us would struggle with our weight. So why (and where) are we eating so much, and what can we do about it? Start here.
Read More
Balancing Seated Torso Twists with Medicine Ball
Tighten your core with this twisting move!
Tighten your core with this twisting move!
Get a personalized diet and fitness plan, great newsletters, post to our message boards, and even your own personal SparkPage!
Join Now For Free!
Join Now For Free!
Member Comments
As an avid cyclist (3,000 - 4,000 miles per year), I was hugely disappointed in this article. It was not well written nor researched. I'd like to know when the authors threw a leg over a bike last. The biggest tips for buying a bicycle is to go to a Local Bike Shop (LBS) not Wal-Mart or Target, Be prepared to spend money and get a proper bike fit from a certified bike fit professional - and make sure part of that fit includes a saddle fitting too. There are bikes for every budget, but when you pay more you get more, just like with a car. The lighter the bike, the more comfotable it will be and you'll see an equally higher price too.
Oh and learn to wear a helmet properly. They DO NOT sit, tipped back onto the rear of one's head. Anyway that is my .02. - 11/9/2011 12:34:26 PM
It is OH-SO-IMPORTANT to work with your local bike shop in choosing a bike as they may help you explore issues and angles you may not have thought of in selecting your bike.
For instance I thought I would want a hybrid bike because I thought I would be too uncomfortable with a road / touring bike with drop-down handlebars. However after discussing with the LBS and other experienced cyclists my desire to cycle longer distances (50+ miles) I received much encouragement to consider a road bike with drop-down handlebars. Taking the plunge I can now say in hindsight that this was SUCH a smart move! My hands used to go numb on my old mountain bike. With the various hand positions offered on my drop-down handlebars I no longer have this problem. PLUS the improvement in SPEED! Woo hoo!
We each have our own personal goals, preferences and motivations which draw us to cycling. Your LBS will tremendously help you begin to hone in on this and make a bike choice that best suits your needs.
Don - 11/9/2011 8:32:41 AM
What better way to ride over 2,000 miles in 2 months than on recumbent bikes? Several of my family members just did that! They put in some long, hard days and it was really cold to ride bikes over mountaintops, but they made it through everything. - 8/11/2011 7:27:06 PM
She doesn;t een mention cyclocross bikes, road-bike geometry with thin knobby tires, and beefed up frames.
These are perfect for road and light train riding, I would never buy a comfort bike for anyone under 70.... - 6/7/2010 4:25:31 PM
As far as materials go, beginners really don't have to consider this. The vast majority of low end bike shop frames are aluminum now because they are light and inexpensive to produce. Steel frames mostly exist at the extreme low and high ends of the market. Department store bikes with stove pipe frames and hand built boutique bikes. Carbon fibre and titanium bikes are very dear.
New cyclists are best off going to the best bike shop in town and building a relationship there. It isn't worth it to save a few bucks and buy from a cheesy bike shop that will not stand behind their products or go out of business shortly. - 2/10/2009 12:18:46 PM
One note on recumbents - the same rules apply for getting on fitted and finding the style uyou like. Test ride them. The more the better. Then pick one you'll ride. A bike you don't like is just a waste of money (IMHO).
Rick - 10/30/2008 12:05:24 PM