| Bicycles can be used for a number of | | | | depending on the type of bicycle. |
| purposes, including recreation, fitness, | | | | |
| transportation and sports. If you are | | | | Steel |
| planning on purchasing a new bike, consider | | | | |
| the terrain you will be riding on as well as | | | | The most commonly used frame material is |
| your body weight. Are you finding it | | | | steel. Chromoly (chromium-molybdenum steel) |
| difficult to choose a new cycle? Go through | | | | is lighter than carbon steel, but both are |
| this buying guide for exhaustive information | | | | strong and durable. |
| on bicycles and make the right choice. | | | | |
| | | | Carbon Fiber |
| What types of bicycles are available? | | | | |
| | | | These strong and lightweight frames offer a |
| Different types of bicycles, such as BMX, | | | | good ride. |
| road, racing, touring, comfort, kids, womens, | | | | |
| tandem and more, are available for sale. Here | | | | Titanium |
| is an in-depth look at some popular models. | | | | |
| | | | Titanium is one of the most rugged, durable |
| Road Bikes: | | | | and costliest frame materials you can get. |
| | | | |
| Road bikes are built for paved roads. They | | | | Aluminum |
| have thin tires, dropped handlebars and | | | | |
| lightweight frames made of aluminum or | | | | Aluminum is a stiff and strong material. |
| carbon. The majority of these cycles have 21 | | | | Aluminum frames are good for riders looking |
| speeds. Sport bikes, touring bikes, racing | | | | for lightweight bikes. |
| bikes, triathlon bikes, cruisers and choppers | | | | |
| also fall under this category. | | | | Suspension: |
| | | | |
| Mountain Bikes: | | | | Hybrid, comfort and mountain bikes feature |
| | | | suspension forks. Forks assist you in riding |
| Mountain bikes are durable enough to | | | | over rough tracks more easily and |
| withstand serious off-road racing. Sturdy | | | | comfortably. |
| frames, strong brakes, flat handlebars and | | | | |
| 26-inch wheels make these bikes highly | | | | Wheels: |
| popular. Their low gears assist you in | | | | |
| off-road racing, especially when going uphill | | | | Wheels play a vital role in bikes. |
| and riding through mud. These cycles are | | | | Single-alloy hubs with rubber axle seals, few |
| heavy and can withstand rough handling. In a | | | | spokes and sealed bearings are recommended. |
| few models, the front suspension and rear | | | | Stainless steel spokes and aluminum rims are |
| suspension offer comfort, even while riding | | | | lightweight and rust free. |
| over uneven ground. | | | | |
| | | | Gears: |
| Comfort Bikes: | | | | |
| | | | Gears are crucial to ride on uneven surfaces. |
| These bikes are good for beginners. Comfort | | | | On flat surfaces, only 3 or 4 gears are |
| bikes come with adjustable vertical | | | | needed. When it comes to hills and |
| handlebars, comfy seats, 26 inch wide and low | | | | challenging terrain, a bike with a 21, 24 or |
| pressure tires and suspension forks. They are | | | | 27 speed drivetrain is necessary. Go for |
| made for short rides on well-maintained bike | | | | bikes with gears that are easy to shift. |
| paths. | | | | |
| | | | Brakes: |
| Hybrid/Cross Bikes: | | | | |
| | | | Most bikes are equipped with either rim |
| These all-purpose bicycles combine the | | | | brakes (V-brakes), linear brakes or hub |
| features of road and mountain bikes. They | | | | brakes. Disc brakes, the latest brake type, |
| have a wide gear ratio, upright handlebars | | | | provide brilliant braking and low |
| and narrow tires. Their frames are | | | | maintenance, but are expensive. |
| lightweight, making these perfect for | | | | |
| pavement riding and minor off-road racing. | | | | Seats: |
| Hybrid/cross bikes usually come with | | | | |
| mudguards. | | | | Look for anatomical shapes, flexible frames, |
| | | | gel padding and cushioning springs in your |
| Recumbent Bikes: | | | | seats. |
| | | | |
| If you cannot handle the physical strain | | | | What accessories are available for bicycles? |
| associated with traditional bicycles, | | | | |
| consider recumbent cycles. These bikes can go | | | | If you are getting a new bicycle, you should |
| fast and provide comfortable seating. | | | | check out the following accessories. Some |
| However, they do have some pitfalls. They are | | | | accessories are absolutely necessary, while |
| expensive compared to most standard bikes and | | | | others are strictly for your own convenience. |
| their transportation by car may prove to be | | | | |
| more difficult as well, especially long | | | | Helmets: |
| wheelbase models. | | | | |
| | | | Helmets are vital accessories to avoid head |
| BMX Bikes: | | | | injuries. They come in kid and adult sizes as |
| | | | well as many colors. |
| BMX (Bicycle Motocross) bikes owe their | | | | |
| invention to the popularity of motocross dirt | | | | Locks: |
| bike racing. These bikes can be ridden | | | | |
| through woods or around dirt-tracks. Though | | | | Protect your bicycle from theft with a bike |
| BMX cycles resemble mountain bikes, their | | | | lock. Locks are highly recommended if you |
| wheels and frames are comparatively smaller. | | | | plan on leaving your bicycle in any public |
| These bikes are suitable for kids and young | | | | area unattended. |
| riders. BMX racing bikes are built for racing | | | | |
| on dirt tracks. BMX freestyle bikes are | | | | Flat Kits: |
| designed for doing tricks whereas BMX dirt | | | | |
| jumping bikes are made for getting airborne | | | | For long rides, it is wise to carry a flat |
| on dirt tracks. | | | | kit and a small frame-mounted pump to fill |
| | | | your tires with air. The kit should include a |
| Chopper Bikes: | | | | new tube, basic patch kit, tire iron, wrench, |
| | | | rag and small seat bag. |
| These bikes are based on chopper motorcycles. | | | | |
| Chopper bikes feature wide rear tires, large | | | | Pumps: |
| cushioned seats and extended handlebars. | | | | |
| These bikes are not recommended for off-road | | | | To fill your tires with air whenever you |
| racing. | | | | need, buy bicycle pumps. |
| | | | |
| Womens Bikes: | | | | Computers and Monitors: |
| | | | |
| Womens bicycles are smaller, designed to suit | | | | A cyclocomputer is a digital speedometer that |
| the build of the average woman. They have | | | | shows speed, distance and time traveled |
| narrow handlebars, short top tubes and wide | | | | during your bicycle ride. High-end models |
| saddles. | | | | come with GPS functions and can measure your |
| | | | heart rate and power output. |
| Kids Bikes: | | | | |
| | | | Mudguards: |
| Is your child pining for a bicycle? Compact | | | | |
| bikes with small frames are ideal for | | | | Keep yourself and your bike clean with |
| children. These bikes are easy to ride and | | | | mudguards. |
| durable. Many kids bicycles come with | | | | |
| training wheels attached. Other cycles give | | | | Baskets and Panniers: |
| you the option to attach separately sold | | | | |
| training wheels. Go for kids bikes with spoke | | | | Attach baskets and panniers to your bike to |
| guards and coaster brakes that allow children | | | | carry heavier loads. |
| to stop when pedaling backwards. | | | | |
| | | | Covers/Storage: |
| Tandem Bikes: | | | | |
| | | | Protect your bicycles with cycle covers and |
| Do you want to make cycling more fun? Get a | | | | storage solutions, such as lightweight |
| tandem bike that accommodates two or more | | | | aluminum storage stands. |
| people at one time. | | | | |
| | | | Carriers: |
| What are other factors to consider when | | | | |
| purchasing a bike and getting into the | | | | For small cars, carriers (also referred to as |
| rewarding sport cycling | | | | bike racks) that attach to the roof are |
| | | | ideal. For big cars, like vans an SUVs, use |
| Frame Materials: | | | | carriers that attach to the rear of your |
| | | | vehicle. |
| Frames are made of different materials | | | | |