Cycling is considered one of the most common outdoor activities during the warmer months. But for cycling to be enjoyable, you need to choose the right iron horse for your goals: amateur trips on weekends, the beginning of an athlete's career, or professional training with a mentor.
Variety of bicycles
Specialist shops offer a wide selection of different models of bicycles, suitable for different conditions and purposes of use.
Road bikes are made for city travel at low speeds. Basically, there are models with several speed modes. This is a walking bike for riding on flat paved roads. When choosing such a bike, remember that the landing assumes a straight back position, which causes discomfort during long rides.
One of the varieties of these bicycles is considered to be comfortable models, which are more advanced. They allow you to drive outside the city on rough roads, however, also not at the highest speeds.
Another type of road bikes are cruisers, which differ little in characteristics, but attract with their interesting design.
The next similar type of bikes are road bikes. They are also designed for driving on flat roads, but at high speeds. They are a kind of racing bikes. Due to tires that are too narrow, it is impossible to ride off-road outside the city on them.
The opposite of conventional road bikes are mountain bikes designed specifically for cross-country riding. All components of this bike are more durable and can withstand all the stress from uneven roads. Mountain bikes can be with one or two shock absorbers, softening descents, ascents and other features of the relief of mountain slopes.
BMX bikes and hardtails are specially designed for various tricks on rough terrain. They are designed for such extreme sports as bike cross, trial, country cross, slalom, street bike. They are not used for ordinary cycling, and therefore only professionals are interested in them.
There are also special hybrids, which are a combination of mountain and road bikes. They can be driven on various road options. From mountain bikes, they took a solid construction, derailleurs and braking system. From city bicycles they got a steering wheel, various additional elements in the form of dirt protection, a trunk, speed limits and other details.
Specifications
Of the technical characteristics that are important when choosing a bicycle, they traditionally consider:
- Frame material (strong and lightweight aluminum, cheaper but heavy steel, lightweight, durable and expensive titanium, modern lightweight and durable carbon). It is worth noting that the fewer different plastic parts a bike has, the better.
- The diameter and width of the wheels, depending on the purpose of the bike. The principle of any design is that the wider the wheels, the better the bike's cross-country ability, but the lower its speed qualities.
- Regular or disc brakes. For amateur city and country walks, ordinary brakes are suitable, for extreme sports - disc brakes.
- The rim of the wheel, which is responsible for its rigidity. The single rim is suitable for city trips on flat roads. The stronger double rim ensures greater reliability and is suitable for cross-country riding.
- Speed characteristics.
What else should you pay attention to?
When buying a bicycle, you need to rely not only on the goals for which it is needed, but also on other features, including the individual characteristics of the cyclist himself. So, if a person weighs more than 130 kg, you need to look for more durable models with a reinforced frame. The owner's height is also taken into account: it is necessary that the leg, being on the pedal in the lower position, fully unbent, and the owner himself should calmly stand above the frame (feet on the floor are spread on both sides of the frame).
It is better to choose models from those firms that specialize only in the production of bicycles. They are more reliable and guarantee no breakages. Among them are firms such as Merida, Silverback, Giant, Stevens, Corratec, Scott, Lapierre, Cube and some others. It is advisable to purchase a bike from a specialized bike shop that cooperates with a repair shop. Popular sporting goods chains usually sell substandard bikes at very high prices.
When buying, it is advisable to try a bike ride in order to appreciate the convenience and comfort of movement. If you have any questions, a consultant in a specialist store will help with setting up your bike or choosing another option.
