|
New
Vs Current |
|
If you already own a bike, then it's time to consider whether you want to purchase a completely new bike, upgrade to a state of the art frame, or simply upgrade a few of your parts.
If your existing frame fits and doesn't have too many miles on it, then you may want to think about updating any old, or worn-out parts. Consult our fit section to determine if your current bike works for you.
If your existing bike fits your body geometry well, then remember to try and duplicate that position (seat height, seat position forward and backward, and stem length/height) on your new frame or bicycle.
There's no need to
reinvent the wheel when you can just copy the size your currently riding. However, different manufacturers & different models within that same manufacturer may use different sizes
so you may certainly want to visit your local shop when it comes to sizing.
|
|
|
Bike
Types - What Kind Of Bike Do I Need? |
Before you say "I know what I
need", ask yourself how many people have asked your opinion on this subject. Now you can refer these newer riders to this page or better yet, you can be more informed or better educated on the subject.
Ever have a computer question and asked a friend of yours for a little help. Most of the time, your
friend will jump at the chance to show their skills because they are excited about computers. Most cyclists I know are also excited about bringing a new rider under their wing too. But it's helpful to acknowledge that a newer cyclist may have a different view or vision. There's a bike out there for every purpose!
When considering your new purchase, you should first consider the type of riding you would do. If you want to do trail riding over rocks and uneven ground, you should consider a mountain bike, which are ideally suited with wide tires and sturdy frames. Road bikes are meant exclusively for cruising on smooth pavement and covering longer distances with speed. Hybrid and
Cyclocross bicycles are based on the road-bike design, but are beefed up with mountain-bike style brakes, wider tires, stronger frame materials and often have flat, mountain-bike style handlebars. Comfort and cruiser bikes are based on the mountain-bike design, are sturdy and generally built for relaxed riding on bike paths and low-to-medium distance rides on flatter stretches of road. Check our individual categories below for more detail on all of these bikes.
Mountain Bikes
Mountain bikes use knobby, wide tires for better traction and stability. Many feature front suspension, shock absorbing forks on the front end to smooth out rough trails and terrain. Mountain bikes usually come with three chainrings in the front and eight or nine gears on the rear wheel, for a total of 24 or 27 speeds. The three chainrings on the front allow for more gear choices for easier pedaling on steep, difficult hills. Some mountain bike designs also use rear suspension, which allows the rear wheel to move and smooth out bumps for added comfort and control. Mountain bikes without suspension are available for less aggressive riding on smooth surfaces. These rigid bikes are generally lighter, and less expensive than their suspended cousins are. However, the more expensive suspension mountain bikes weigh even less than the cheaper "hard tail" version. Lower weight equals higher cost and that's a decision you'll have to be comfortable with.
Road Bikes
Road bikes are light, sleek and built for covering mega-miles on smooth pavement, with surprising speed. The tires are thinner than hybrid or mountain styles, which make them faster and somewhat less stable to newer riders. If you haven't shopped for a road bike in a while, you will be amazed by the advances of the past decade. The biggest benefit to a new road bike is the integrated shifter and brake levers. This revolutionary advancement allows you to change gears and put on the brakes without moving your hands from the brake levers. Road bikes designed for casual and pleasure riding use a triple chainring in the front, with nine cogs on the rear wheel, allowing wider gear ranges for steep hills. Bicycles geared for performance riding and racing usually feature two chainrings up front and nine gears in the rear, because racers require higher gears for competition. The curved handlebars of the road bike offer more hand positions, and a lower, more aerodynamic position than a mountain bike and may take some getting used to. These newer bikes have almost nothing in common with that old 10 speed that might still be down in your basement. The investment in a newer road bike is well worth the investment and will re-invent the world of cycling if you're trying to re-establish yourself.
Touring Bikes
Touring bikes are variations on the road bike theme but feature mounts for racks and panniers (bags) to carry gear. Touring bikes generally use mountain-bike brakes for more stopping power and heavier frame materials to combat the stress associated with the weight of increased loads of touring with gear. Wider tires offer more stability and resistance to flat tires than a narrow racing version might. A rider's position on a touring bike is generally more upright to relieve strain on the lower back and to afford a good perch to watch the colorful world glide by. If you're into the popular group ride scene, this may be the bike for you.
Hybrid
A hybrid bike is the Sport Utility Vehicle of the bicycle world. It is essentially a mountain bike with larger wheels (700cc, same size as a road bike) and narrower tires. The idea is that the larger wheels and narrower tires enable you to travel more efficiently over longer distances while still being stable and worthy of the occasional jaunt on an unpaved fire road or non-technical singletrack. Hybrid bicycles are perfect if you are looking for the comfortable upright position and multiple gear selections offered by a mountain bike and the smooth efficiency of a road bike. If you're a causal cyclist, check out the Hybrid style bike.
Comfort/Cruiser
Comfort and cruiser bikes are built for recreational riding, generally on bike paths, over flat terrain. Tires can be very wide and soft, as on a "beach cruiser," but are usually a smoother version of a mountain bike tire. Comfort bikes have an upright position, unlike a racing bike on which the rider is crouched to slice through the wind. Many comfort bikes include shock-absorbing seats and suspension seat posts which help to make the ride as cushy as possible. Weight is less of an issue, and many cyclists add rear-view mirrors, lights, panniers for carrying items, and reflective tape to their comfort bikes. The theme of this style is comfort.
Cyclocross
Cyclocross is a quirky sport started in Europe by professional racers who desired to stay in shape through the cold, dreary, winters on the Continent. Effectively the marriage between mountain biking, road racing and running, 'cross is the fastest growing segment of the U.S. racing scene. Most races last about an hour and are conducted on short courses that are off-road, but not as technically demanding as a mountain bike course. There are periodic barriers. Racers must dismount for these sections and carry their bikes while they run. The
Cyclocross bike is essentially a road bike that has a more durable frame, wider and knobbier tires, and mountain bike brakes, but is still light enough to carry while running. A 'cross bike will have a lower, more race-style position, than a touring bicycle. If you aren't into racing
Cyclocross, these bicycles often make great recreational road bikes and or touring bikes. Some feature mounts for racks and other accessories.
Triathlon Bikes
Triathlon bikes are variations on the road bike theme. Tri-bikes, as aerodynamic cycles for triathlon are called, use clip-on aero-bars (short for aerodynamic handlebars) to allow you to ride in a more aerodynamic position. Aerodynamic wheels and drinking systems are commonly spotted on tri-bikes.
BMX
Bicycle motocross, or BMX as it's commonly known, is a sport for smaller bikes ridden off-road on a dirt track. BMX has several disciplines that include jumping, ramp riding, racing and freestyle. There are variations on the standard BMX bike, but most use the same style: 20-inch wheels with knobby, wide tires, a small frame and beefy components designed for rough use. Freestyle bikes will have foot pegs, or extensions off the frame on which to stand when performing stunts, while jumping bikes may have a slightly different frame. There is also a cruiser style BMX bike, with 24-inch wheels for faster riding and more stability.
 Back
To The News Pages
|
|
Home