The Right Bike for You

Now that you have decided to buy a bike, which type should you pick?


Trail bikes or light-duty mountain bikes:
Similar looks and features as mountain bikes, but usually not as light, rugged, nor expensive as real mountain bikes. This bike is fine for trail and road use but won’t take the abuse mountain bikes can. Ideal for commuters, family and recreational riding.


Comfort bikes:
Similar to light mountain/trail bikes, but with less distance between seats and handlebars, a higher front end for more upright seating. Usually have shock-absorbing seat posts for seat comfort, some have flexible, shock absorbing handlebar stems or telescoping, shock absorbing front forks, wider, softer saddles, and wide pedals. Ideal for comfortable recreation, trail, commuter users. Very popular with adults wanting more comfort and more upright seating.


Mountain bikes:
Have rugged stronger components and frames, intended for rougher, off-road riding in rugged terrain, over rocks and logs, but are often used on-road. Have fat knobby tires for more traction and cushion, flatter-profile handlebars for a more leaned-over seating position, very low gears for easier hill climbing. Some have suspension systems for greater shock absorption. This bike is for riders wanting the off-road experience on a bike.


Road, touring, and comfort bikes:
Built for pavement riding, increased aerodynamics, and speed. Have smoother, narrow tires, turned-down handlebars, and often skinny saddles. For riders wanting more speed, to ride longer distances, or a more aerobically intense workout. Road models are usually lighter with a slightly shorter wheelbase length for more nimble, quick response. Touring models have a longer wheelbase, increased road-shock absorbency, and various threaded eyelets for attaching carrying racks and bags.


Hybrid or cross bikes:
Combines mountain-bike seating and handlebar position with wider tires on road-bike diameter wheels. Excellent for use on both pavement and dirt trails, but not intended to be a great road bike or mountain bike. Some have shock seat posts and handlebar stems and either straight-across handlebars (causing riders to lean slightly forward), or cruiser bars curving back towards the rider (who sits more upright). More expensive models have front telescoping shock absorber forks. This bike is enjoyed by serious and recreation riders riding more on pavement who want more nimbleness and speed.


Cruisers:
Fat tire bikes. Usually heavier bikes with one speed and coaster brakes, or multi-speed with hand brakes, wide tires, upright handlebars and seating position. For road, boardwalks and riders who want a bike “like I had as a kid!”