The benefits of cycling are many. It’s a heart-healthy exercise if you like cycling, and it strengthens many muscle groups in your body too.
In a way, cycling also trains your balancing skills and force you to be alert. If you don’t own a bicycle yet and would like to get one, you’d probably want to know more about the options available first. So here they are.
Road Bikes
Road bicycles are developed to be ridden quickly on smooth pavement. They have smooth, slim tires as well as “drop” handlebars, and also could be utilised for on-road racing. They are often lighter compared to various other kinds of bicycles. They could be used on smooth tracks. However many find them uncomfortable and unstable on unpaved trails. Most road bikes are not efficient in carrying heavy loads.
The cyclo cross bicycle
Here’s a unique kind of road bike created to be used on mixed areas (combination of sidewalk, unpaved trails, gravel or grass). It has a drop handlebar like normal road bikes, yet the tires are slightly larger for even more off-road grip. The bikes have various designs of brakes that assist to stop mud accumulation in the structure. Cyclocross bikes make excellent commuting bikes, due to the adaptability, sturdiness, as well as the capability to carry light loads. Cyclocross bicycles are occasionally called ‘cross bikes’ or cx bikes for brief.
Touring bicycles
The bikes are a unique sort of road bicycles. They are designed to be used on pavement, yet are much sturdy for usage on self-supported long-distance riding. They have every one of the required mounting bolts for cargo racks and fenders, and although they still have a drop handlebar, they have actually a much more relaxed structure type to ensure that the cyclist is much more upright, for comfort and convenience when riding far away for multiple days each time.
Triathlon/Time Test Bicycles
These are road bicycles with a unique style that optimises their aerodynamic properties. The handlebars are aerodynamic and enables you to crouch ahead while riding, to decrease the wind resistance versus your physical body. They’re usually not permitted to be used in mass-start races.
Flat-Bar Road Bicycles
These bikes have most of the benefits of normal road bikes – lightweight structures and slim tires for effectiveness on sidewalk – with an upright or level handlebar. They are created for folks who desire a light, high-performance bike however do not like the drop-handlebar of a regular road bike. These bikes are occasionally called fitness bikes or performance hybrid bikes. Many of them can be fitted with bigger tires, to make them appropriate for usage on unpaved tracks. They normally have the ability to mount cargo racks and fenders, making them great traveler bikes.
Track/Fixed-Gear Bicycles
These bikes are designed to be used on a velodrome, which is a banked oblong track particularly for bicycle racing. Some travelers tend to use these track bikes due to their straightforward pattern, making them very easy to maintain. For much more simplicity, some cyclists forgo the brakes, because the fixed-gear system could work as a brake. A lot of track bikes have drop handlebars, however some cyclists equip theirs with upright or level handlebars.
Mountain Bicycles
As their name suggests, these are designed for riding rugged off-road tracks. They have upright or level handlebars, as well as a low gear range for pedaling up high tracks. The majority of mountain bicycles have some kind of shock absorbers or suspension. Mountain bicycles could be equipped for usage as touring or commuting bikes, although they may not be as convenient or as lightweight.
Hybrid Bikes
The hybrid bicycle was initially developed to offer the benefits of both road bicycles as well as mountain bicycle. Its huge, upright handlebars and also cushioned seat offer a comfy riding position, most ideal for laid-back riding around neighbourhoods or bike courses, short-distance travelling, and also for errands around town. They could be used on paved roads, however they are not as lightweight or efficient as road bikes. They can be used on paved or unpaved bike trails, yet are not ideal for rugged off-road mountain bikes tracks.
Performance Hybrid Bicycles
These bikes are oriented towards riders who want the multi-surface versatility of a hybrid bike, but with a little more aggressive style and riding position. They have a flat or upright handlebar, although not as upright as regular hybrid bikes; they usually have a smaller, more performance-oriented seat, rather than a large comfort seat. Some have front suspension; some do not. Performance hybrids make good commuter bikes, and are also good for touring on unpaved trails. There is much overlap between the performance hybrid category and flat-bar road bikes, where the terms are often used interchangeably.
Cruiser Bicycles
These are similar to hybrid bikes, in that they are designed for casual riding, and have a very comfortable, upright riding position, and a large, comfortable seat. Cruisers usually have wide “balloon” tires, and handlebars that are even more upright, and in some cases, swept back compared to hybrid bikes. Most cruiser bikes are single-speed or 3-speed, and have the old-fashioned coaster brake (where you pedal backwards to stop). They can be used for short-distance commuting and errands, as long as your route is is on fairly flat ground.
Flat-Foot Comfort Bikes
A sub-category of cruiser bikes, the flat-foot comfort bikes have an elongated frame design that pushes the pedals a few inches forward of the seat. This allows you to ride with the seat low enough so that you can place your feet flat on the ground when you are stopped, but you still get the full extension of your legs while pedaling.
City Bikes
They might also be called “commuter” or “urban” bikes and can be used quite well for riding and commuting in a city. A city bike might also have an internally-geared rear hub for ease of use and maintenance, and a built-in generator and lights for safety when riding after dark.
These bikes are also sometimes called “Dutch bikes,” because of their resemblance to the everyday bikes used in Amsterdam and other bike-friendly European cities.
Folding Bicycles
Folding bicycles are getting more and more popular these days, especially among people who take public transport, but wish to cycle some of the way. They are exceptionally portable and take up little space. Most of these have smaller wheels which makes the bike a little less efficient and trickier to handle than a standard bike, but most folding bike fans feel the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. Best of all, you can take it wherever you go, without needing to park it anywhere.
Recumbent Bicycles
These bicycles have a long, low design and a full-size seat with a backrest. Recumbents are available in two-wheel and three-wheel designs. Many recumbent riders feel that they are the most comfortable option available for bicycling. They are however, a tad more difficult to pedal uphill, and they can be a challenge to carry from one place to another.
Tandem Bicycles
These bicycles that are “bicycles built for two” are available in different styles, from cruiser tandems and hybrid tandems for the bike path or boardwalk, or off-road mountain bike tandems, and high-performance road racing tandems. They aren’t very popular locally, but you may be able to spot them being used in special biking areas.
BMX Bikes
These are popular with kids because of their small size, but they are used by adults for trick and stunt riding.
Adult Tricycles or Adult Trikes
These are ideal for older folks who still want to get around under their own power, or those with balance issues or other special needs. They are also used as environmentally-conscious industrial or warehouse vehicles to get around the premises.
