How to choose a bicycle for sports. Types and classification of bicycles

By the end of winter, many of us are thinking about buying a bicycle. Someone grows children, someone felt the first signs of impending hypodynamia, or just want to go in for sports, lose weight( and exercise bikes are not an option for them), someone dreams about long-distance routes that they would like to realize.

Given that for today a rather large selection of bicycles of various types, brands, etc., it is rather difficult to make the right choice and understand what is really needed for you. Many people want to buy a reusable bicycle and a universal model. What could have been and on the asphalt to go and to the country house to go and just ride, in order to lose weight or go on a bike trip.

Types of bicycles and their characteristics:

• Mountain biking
  
• Cross-country( CrossCountry, XC racing)
  
• City bikes
  
• Road bikes
  
• Road bikes, road racing bikes - racing bikes
  
• Hybrid( Hybrid)
  
• BMX bicycles
  
• Freestyle
  
• Dirt( Dirt Jumping)
  

Mountain bike

The most common and popular bike is mountain bike - mountain bike - MTB mountain bike.

This model of bike is designed for riding on roads with poor coverage, including off-road, on rough terrain.
Mountain bike is endowed with a high ground clearance due to the lack of slack in the carriage, this in turn allows you not to cling pedals to the ground when riding. Mountain bikes are characterized by the location of the carriage in line with the front and rear bushings, as for conventional models, then the carriage is located below this line. Another feature of mountain bikes is a stretched base and a straight short rudder. Such a rudder is not too convenient for fast, high-speed driving, but it is quite convenient for maneuvering at low speed.


Advantages of mountain bikes:

• mountain bikes are universal, as they allow you to drive both around the city and off-road;
  
• sporty bright appearance;
  
• high-tech equipment;
  
• easy to upgrade and replace equipment - for sale there is a huge number of various accessories and parts for mountain bicycles, ranging from a large range of colors for the caps on the nipple to the winter studded Nokian rubber;
  
• price, there are not expensive models;
  
• allow you to engage in extreme sports;
  
• mass - many people prefer mountain bikes.
  

In case you buy a bike for simple city tours, rest or fitness, you should pay attention to some of the features of mountain bikes:

• mountain bikes have a sport landing, ie everything is done in such a way that the body weight is evenly distributed between the steering wheeland the seat - due to the back will be slightly curved, and the arms are stretched out;
  
• for mountain bikes is characterized by the use of tires with mud protectors, so moving on the asphalt, you can feel small vibrations and noise, therefore, you will have to put more effort than the owner of a bicycle with smooth tires. Therefore, if you mainly prefer to ride on the asphalt, it is better to look at such bicycle models as a hybrid or urban. Hybrids in turn look like mountain bikes, but are equipped with fairly fast 28 inch wheels.
  
• mountain bikes in the standard configuration go without the factory wings, which are designed to protect against water and dirt. This is done for the purpose of saving weight and to match the sports concept of the bike. Wings can be purchased separately. Mountain bikes are divided into:
  
  
  • double-suspension( full-suspension) - front and rear shock absorbers;
    
  • hardtail - shock absorber on the front fork;
    
  • hybrid - front shock absorber like hardtail, but a shorter and more comfortable frame;
    
  • freestyle;
    
  • der.
    
  
  Two-pendants are divided into:
  
  
  • downhill( downhill, DH);
    
  • backcountry;
    
  • freeride( FreeRider).
    
  
  Let's consider in more detail each kind.
  
  Downhill( Downhill) - is designed for high-speed descents from mountains, with all subsequent circumstances.
  
  Key Features:
  
  
  • reliable and powerful frame;
    
  • long-legged fork and rear suspension with a stroke of about 200 millimeters;
    
  • tires have deep off-road protectors;
    
  • attachments of the highest quality;
    
  • hydraulic disc brakes.
    
  
  This bike is designed for riding on an inclined plane, due to the large weight and the presence of a rear shock absorber, which in turn swings the bike during pedaling.
  
  
  Freeride and Backcountry - is a slightly lighter version of downhill.
  
  The frame of this bicycle model is much lighter, with shorter shock absorbers, therefore, riding on such a bike is possible not only from the mountains. As for the quality of the attachments, it is above average.
  
  
  Hardtails are the biggest class of bicycles. This includes almost all types of bicycles, except for jumping and highly specialized bicycles.
  
  
  
  

  CrossCountry( XC racing)

  
  This bike model is designed for high-speed and aggressive cross-country skiing.
  
  Key features:
  
  
  • frame - aluminum stretched out of light-fitting tubing, has a low sport landing;
    
  • fork with medium travel( approximately 60-100 millimeters), in some cases blocked;
    
  • disc brakes;
    
  • wheels 26 inches;
    
  • attachments from medium to high;
    
  • the number of gears 21-27.
    
  
  
  

  City bikes

  
  This type of bike is rich in its variety. There are also classic city bikes( with wings and luggage), and models that combine comfort and speed, folding bicycles, cruisers, etc. Sometimes it is quite difficult to distinguish them, because many models are like mountain bikes, while others are like road bikes. But they have one thing in common - they are all designed for travel within the city.
  
  Advantages of city bicycles:
  
  
  • a wide variety of kinds for any needs - from light folding bicycles and ending with imposing cruisers;
    
  • beautiful and elegant appearance;
    
  • city accessories - factory wings, trunks, side steps, baskets, lights, chain protection, horns and many other useful things( some models that are created for fast trips are not equipped with these accessories);
    
  • comfort - in most bicycles the landing is equipped in such a way that your back rested, and you enjoyed cycling, comfortable, soft seats, special handlebars, safety pedals, etc.;
    
  • for these bikes are characterized by convenient adjustments - basically, in addition to the seat height, you can adjust the slope and height of the steering wheel;
    
  • practicality;
    
  • uses smooth tire covers for the wheels, as a result of which you do not make unnecessary efforts and thereby save your strength.
    
  
  Walking bicycles are also considered fitness bicycles.
  
  Characteristics of city bike:
  
  
  • chrome-molybdenum, aluminum or steel frame, depending on the price category;
    
  • frame with a shortened front triangle, used for comfortable seating;
    
  • uses a short-stroke plug with an elastomer shock absorber, or a rigid plug without a shock absorber;
    
  • are equipped with a wide saddle, some models have shock absorbers;
    
  • brakes v-brake( tick-type);
    
  • attachments in urban bicycles are installed in the category from initial to medium;
    
  • basically protects the carriage unit and chain( gear change mechanism) from dirt, therefore, there is no need for regular maintenance and lubrication;
    
  • wheel size 26-28 inches.
    
  
  
  

  Road bikes

  
  This type of bike is highly specialized, which is quite firmly tied up in fitness, sports and long trips. This includes cyclo-cross, and classic road racing, and triathlon. This type can be safely attributed to such types of models as tourist and hybrid bikes. Each of their sports disciplines makes their demands on the direct construction of the bicycle, but there is a similarity between all models, namely light frames with thin tubes, rolling 28 inch wheels, sports saddles and a lot of gears.
  
  Advantages of road bicycles:
  
  
  • small weight;
    
  • advanced materials - light aluminum alloys, carbon;
    
  • high speed with minimal effort;
    
  • laconism - minimalism, nothing superfluous;
    
  • is an excellent option for maintaining yourself in perfect physical shape( fitness);
    
  • possible movement over long distances;
    
  • the opportunity to participate in world-class competitions.
    
  
  
  

  Road bike, road racing bike - racing bikes

  
  Key features:
  
  
  • aluminum, chrome-molybdenum, titanium alloys, carbon frames, short and high;
    
  • with the presence of hard forks of the same materials;
    
  • curved steering wheel;
    
  • rigid narrow saddle, not too convenient for long trips;
    
  • wheels 27 inches, with narrow tires( up to 28 millimeters);
    
  • has 2-3 leading and 8-10 driven stars, eventually has up to 30 transmissions.
    
  
  On a bicycle of this type, you can accelerate to 70 km / h, given that the coating will be flat. One of the features of the road sports product is that the gearshift mechanism is installed on the brake pens. Because of their fragility, they can be used exclusively for road racing.
  
  
  

  Hybrid( Hybrid)

  
  This mountain bike is adapted for driving on the highway.
  
  Key features:
  
  
  • lightweight aluminum or steel frame with a high and comfortable fit;
    
  • short-stroke fork( 40-60 millimeters);
    
  • 28-inch wheels, double reinforced rims;
    
  • attachments depending on the cost of the bicycle;
    
  • tires of a half-heel up to 44 millimeters wide.
    
  
  The main advantage of this bicycle is that it is universal. Having good mountain properties, it has much better driving performance on the highway compared to other mountain bikes.
  
  
  

  BMX bicycles

  
  Bicycles of this type are not large, do not have shock absorbers, which are used for racing or trick skating. Such models are quite popular among teenagers, as they are quite strong and unpretentious with regard to learning tricks, which distinguishes them from mountain bikes. More expensive models weigh much less and they are much easier to perform complex tricks( somersaults, torsions, etc.).
  
  The abbreviation BMX stands for Bicycle Moto Cross( cycling motocross), ie competitions in which riders are chasing a specially prepared track with low jumps. For this type of race there is a separate category BMX.
  
  Advantages BMX bicycles:
  
  
  • rather strong, due to the rigid design and a strong steel or chrome molybdenum frame;
    
  • maneuverable, therefore, allow you to easily perform various tricks, due to the compact dimensions and special geometry of the frame;
    
  • unpretentious, perfectly repairable in the event of a breakdown;
    
  • provide an opportunity to participate in various competitions;
    
  • compact - easy to transport in cars, trains and other transport.
    
  
  
  

  Freestyle

  
  Bicycles of this type are designed for acrobatic stunts and jumps through artificial or natural obstacles.
  
  Key Features:
  
  
  • is a low and powerful aluminum or steel frame with a rigid fork;
    
  • one transmission;The wheels of the 28 inch
    
  • have 48 spokes;
    
  • equipped with metal stops on the wheel axles( pegs);
    
  • gyro-motor mechanism, which allows you to repeatedly twist the steering wheel without fear to twist the brake cables.
    
  
  This bicycle can be used by both adults and children.
  
  
  

  Dirt( Dirt Jumping)

  
  This type of bicycle is designed for serious jumps with artificial and natural springboards( darts).
  
  Key features:
  
  
  • rigid, powerful aluminum or steel low frame, reinforced in the welding unit of the top and seat tube;
    
  • plug having an oil-air shock absorber of medium travel( up to 120 millimeters);
    
  • hitch above average, with double rims;
    
  • disc or tick brake;
    
  • 18-24 transmission.
    
  
  In some cases it is used for driving around the city.
  
  In the end of this article we offer you to watch useful videos about choosing a two-wheeled friend:
  
  
  The bicycle is an excellent option for outdoor recreation and at the same time for sports. Small daily walks will allow you to maintain yourself in perfect physical shape.