[dropcap]W[/dropcap] hen I first started cycling, I felt overwhelmed by choices. I knew some of my friends had road bikes, but I didn’t know what that really meant and how it differed from the mountain bikes of my youth or a bike of which I had never heard: hybrids.
Since a good bicycle is a major investment, I knew I had to do some research, and I’d like to pass it along to you, Dear Reader, to save you some time and energy.
I ended up buying a hybrid for a number of reasons. I knew I wanted a bike with some speed, as I am ultra-competitive, and I knew I would want to do a triathlon one day. For those who don’t know, a triathlon is a race made up of three activities: cycling, running, and swimming.
The lengths can vary, but a standard triathlon includes a .93-mile (1.9-kilometer) swim, a 25-mile (40-kilometer) bike ride, and 6.2-mile (10-kilometer) run. It is not for the feint of heart, but it can do wonders for your health.
At any rate, biking 25 miles with the thick tires of a mountain bike would be slow-going. You see, the thicker the tires are, the slower your bike will go. Basically, wider tires will flatten out on smooth terrain (like roads), which increases the amount of tire on the road.
This increases weight and friction, which slows you down. Thinner tires do not flatten as much, which increases your speed.
However, those thin tires do not perform well on rough terrain, as you can feel every bump in the road. Since I was using my bike for racing and commuting, I purchased a…
I won’t cover traditional road bikes much in this article, but they are what you will see people riding in the Tour de France. They have extremely thin tires, which makes them relatively impractical for day-to-day use.
As you may have already figured out, hybrids (or flat bar road bikes) are good for both speeding through smaller races and riding to and from work or school.
City Bikes has been in business since 1988, and they’re experts in the cycling field. They lay out the pros and cons of each type of bike:
Pros
Cons
Options
There are two exciting options on Amazon.com that you may want to check out.
Keep in mind that, for each of these reviews, some of the cons are based on the experience people had, putting the bike together, as they ordered it online. If you purchase your bicycle from a dealer, that will be done for you.
Also, for each bike, the price is dependent upon the size and color that you order.
The bike is currently listed for $289.95 to $360.84. It has 3.8 out of 5 stars.
Pros
Cons
Overall
Most people say that this is a great starter bike that is sufficient for short commutes to and from school or work. However, if you plan to do more serious riding, you’ll probably want to shell out the money for a better quality bike.
This bike has 3.9 out of 5 stars and is listed for $167.07 to $202.42.
Pros
Cons
Overall
These bikes are fun and an inexpensive option for commutes. You will need a higher quality bike if you want to ride faster and farther, though.
The Takara Sugiyama Flat Bar Fixie Bike is odd in that it can be used as a traditional hybrid or a fixed gear bike. What does that mean? Basically, a “fixie” is simple to use because you don’t have to shift as you do with a traditional bike.
Also, to keep moving, you need to pedal your legs constantly. Because of this, it’s easier to stop. Many people do not even use the breaks on the bike. You can stop by just not pedaling and holding your legs straight.
These bikes are considered fun and unique, so many people will paint and customize them.
If you just want a reliable commuter bike, a fixie may be a good option for you.
Fixies are also called single-speed bikes. The LiveStrong website breaks down the advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
Cons
Options
Let’s check out some single-speed bikes on Amazon.
This bicycle is currently listed at $311.91 to $349 and has 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Pros
Cons
Overall
Reviewers had few criticisms, but many mentioned that you will probably want to pick up some toe or foot straps, as it will help you break and make pedaling easier.
On Amazon, this bike is selling for $204.99 to $499. Its overall review is 3.9 out of 5 stars. Even at the inexpensive cost and with the generally positive reviews, I would NOT recommend this bike (see below).
Pros
Cons
Overall
This bike seems to have a pretty MAJOR problem. Several people complained of the handles just snapping off. In fact, one person was nearly killed on the road, and her bike was totaled after the handlebars snapped off when she was taking a turn.
Even with the positive reviews, I cannot recommend this bike, as it seems like a pretty major flaw—even if it’s only happened to a few people.
My first bicycle, which I remember fondly, was a mountain bike (it was a Mongoose).
It was blue and gold, the colors of my high school football team, and I loved riding up and down the streets of my neighborhood, ringing my bell at neighbors. I could also ride through trails and gravel a bit further out (in areas where I wasn’t supposed to be).
If you like racing through places where you’re not supposed to be, a mountain bike may be perfect for you. City Bikes offers the following pros and cons:
Pros
Cons
Options
Amazon is selling three bikes right now that you might want to check out.
As there is only one size and style option, the bike is $271. Its overall rating is 3.8 out of 5 stars.
Pros
Cons
Overall
A great, inexpensive mountain bike that’s good for light use through trails. If you regularly ride over rough terrain, though, you’ll want to pick up a higher end bicycle.
Again, as with a lot of mountain bikes, there is only one color and size available. The cost is $314.40, and it is rated 4.2 out of 5 stars.
Pros
Cons
Overall
This bike is great for beginners. While it is easy to put together, even expert riders suggested taking it to a bike shop for adjustments before riding.
This bike boasts 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Right now, it is listed between $349.99 and $599 (cost depends on size). Let’s take a look at the reviews:
Pros
Cons
Overall
Nearly all reviewers gave this bike glowing reviews. You’ll want to factor in some additional costs at the get-go, though, as you may need it adjusted by a professional when you first get the bike.
Switching things up quite a bit here. You’ll see all of the bikes above on the roads, as many people use them to commute or get some exercise. BMX Freestyle bikes are a special breed, though, and are not really intended for simple riding.
Sierra Trading Post describes the bikes as having a, “compact, robust frame and smaller wheels,” so they are, “designed for BMX racing and freestyle riding, which includes jumps, half pipes, rails and other skate park obstacles.”
As such, BMX Freestyle bikes are intended for kids and teens. You’ll want to check these out if you want to encourage a young person in your life to take up the sport.
Options
This bike is listed on Amazon for $99.95 and has 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Pros
Cons
Overall
This would be a good starter bike for your little one, but from the reviews, it seems imperative that you replace the breaks right away. Several reviewers said that the ones that came with the bike were unreliable (and, thus, dangerous).
Overall, this bike is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars and is listed at $206.46. Unlike the Razor High Roller, this bike is intended more for teenagers than kids and pre-teens.
Pros
Cons
Overall
While this bike is a bit more expensive than the Razor High Roller, it has better parts, so you won’t need to replace things like the breaks or tires right away. Also, this bike will work for your child well into his or her teens. It seems like the perfect bike to start learning tricks.
I cannot tell you the type of bike that I think you should buy, as everyone is different, and your needs will not be the same as mine. As I mentioned, I wanted a bike that could handle cracks in the road while also increasing my m.p.h.
I wouldn’t dream of buying a BMX and cruising to a skate park. Figure out what you want to use your bike for, and this guide can help you find your dream bike.
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