How to Choose a Bicycle That Suits Your Riding Style
Choosing a bicycle is a lot like choosing a car. It's partially a transportation decision, but it's also a personality or style decision. The goal is to buy a bicycle that you enjoy riding and that meets your needs.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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Cruisers and hybrid bicycles
Commute with a cruiser or hybrid bicycle. Cruisers tend to be a single speed or have limited gears, while a hybrid could have 20 to 30 speeds. This bike is solid enough to withstand the weather and frequent bicycle rack lock up.
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Cruiser, hybrid and basic road bicycle
Go casual with a cruiser, a hybrid or a standard road bicycle. These bicycles usually are made with aluminum or lower cost materials and manufactured to specific price points. There are some design differences you can can see in the pictures. From a drive train and component standpoint, there is little difference in the hybrid and the entry level road bicycle.
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Two types of sport bicyles
Enjoy sport riding. Remember that the materials which compose road bicycles get lighter and the components lean toward a performance orientation. The price points move from $700 to $1000 to $2500. Frames on sport bicycles move from basic aluminum to higher performance aluminum or a combination of aluminum and carbon fiber. It's possible to get a full carbon fiber frame at the higher sport price points. The frame geometry tends to be more aggressive or race-oriented.
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Hybrid and touring bicycles
Tour the world. Touring bicycles are designed for cross-country riding and have racks or panniers to carry equipment. They are similar to hybrid bicycles.
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Cyclocross and mountain bicycles
Veer off the road most traveled. Off-road bicycles present defined differences when compared to rod bicycles. Off-road bikes come in two types, mountain and cyclocross bicycles. Cyclocross is a racing sport that has elements of off-road and on-road sections. The bike used in cyclocross is halfway between a mountain bike and a road bicycle. Tires tend to be wider on both bicycles, and they tolerate more grime and mud.
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Two racing level bicycles
Open your wallet wide. Competitive road bicycles are the lightest bicycles with the highest grade performance components. You can spend $2000 or as much as $15,000 for a racing bicycle. There are also differences in the frame geometry.
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Triathlon or time trial bicycle
Beat the clock. Time trial or triathlon bicycles are built for straight ahead speed and to allow the rider to lean forward in a more comfortable position when trying to deliver maximum power. They are not built to maneuver in a group of riders.
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