The choice of bike, especially for those who have… quit the sport from their childhood and want to revisit after 10 or 20 years, it can become a headache as the options regarding the past are endless. Bike selection
There are four main ones categories of bicycles aimed at the largest mass of cyclists who want to move flexibly in the city, cover long distances in comfort or ride on dirt and forest tracks. Bike selection
The 4 basic categories of bicycles
City bikes
- They are the most versatile bikes, with which we can do almost anything. To comfortably go for a short walk, to do our shopping at the kiosk or the mini-market, to fearlessly climb a sidewalk but also to take a long walk. In recent years, city bikes have been upgraded and many of them can be safely ridden on mild dirt roads. Usually city bikes have a triple drive with a total of 21 to 24 gears so that cyclists can move comfortably in all conditions, even the most difficult ones, such as long climbs with steep gradients.
- Also, those who have small children should know that city bikes can be fitted with special child seats so they can ride with their child. In these cases, of course, it is recommended that the walks take place on roads with light traffic and always with the child wearing a helmet. Several city bikes are also equipped with disc brakes for more immediate braking. The prices for well-known companies can start from 220 to 250 euros and reach or even exceed 800 euros to 1,000 euros. And not to discourage anyone, with an amount close to 300 euros, we can buy a very decent bike with which we will do many and problem-free kilometers for many years. Bike selection
Road bikes
- This is a separate category of bicycles that has been gaining ground in recent years, as more and more hobbyists who take up this sport a little more seriously, want to cover ever greater distances. A simple road bike, it has an aluminum frame, two discs with a total of 16 to 22 speeds and weighs about 10 kg. However, road bikes can be made from one or a mixture of the following materials: steel, aluminum, titanium, carbon fiber. Those who are new cyclists or simply tired of the city bike and want to cover longer distances more comfortably, then the solution is a road bike.
- They are definitely lighter than the ones in the city, while if you choose a bike with a carbon fiber frame, then its weight can comfortably fall below 8 kg. The lighter a bike is, the easier it can climb a steep hill. A necessary condition, of course, is that it is combined with the corresponding gears located on the back of the bicycle. The "cassette" as it is called, can start from 11 or 12 gears and even reach 30.
- The more "teeth" a cassette has, the more suitable it is for uphill routes and inclines that reach or exceed 10%. The bike you choose should suit your needs. You will need a different bike if you intend to do long Sunday rides of 100+ km, if you simply want to improve your fitness or if you want to use the bike as a means of transport (home/work).
- Prices for a simple road bike with an aluminum frame start at around 450 euros (ideal for a new rider) and can go up to ... astronomical prices. For example, a very light bicycle with a carbon fiber frame, carbon wheels and the top peripherals on the market, can cost you even 10,000 euros. However, there are also excellent carbon fiber bikes at "reasonable" prices, starting just above or below 1,500 euros.
Mountain bikes
- Are you an adventurer? Do you like excursions in nature, in green mountains and inaccessible paths? Then the solution for you is the purchase of a mountain bike. These bikes are – in most cases – made of aluminum, have single (front) or double (and rear) suspensions, offering comfort to riders for long rides in difficult conditions.
- With the development of technology, many mountain bikes have disc brakes, which "catch" on a disc that touches the center of the wheel. The great advantage of this brake system is that it is not affected by mud and rain while at the same time it does not wear the rims of the wheel.
Regarding suspensions, those interested should know that single suspension bikes are lighter and easier to clean and maintain. As for the double suspensions (front and back), they offer more comfort and greater control to the cyclist. If you visit a bike shop to see the bike you want to buy in person, ask the clerk about the different types of double suspension, long travel or short travel, and how they differ in practice.
The wheels of mountain bikes, due to the great stresses they receive from the bad road surface for which they are intended, are quite reliable. Regarding tires, in most cases, those with pads are preferred for better grip on the ground and on slippery terrain. As for the prices, the entry models of the companies start from 400 to 450 euros and the cost goes up the higher the quality of the frame, peripherals, wheels and suspensions.
Electrical bicycles
- Do steep hills bother you? Want to cycle to work and think you'll arrive sweaty, especially in the summer months? Are you looking for an alternative means of transportation in the city at almost zero cost? Buy an electric bike and it will solve all your problems.
Electric bicycles are designed to assist the cyclist with the power of a small electric motor, offering comfort and relaxing rides. Most electric bikes have the rider selectable different levels of assistance from the electric motor. Bike selection
Good electric bikes have a range of over 100 kilometers (can even reach 180), charge in a few hours and the cost to move on the road is minimal. The electric bicycle is environmentally friendly, it is silent, and it does not need a driver's license or a driving license. If we take a look at the prices, we will see that there are electric bikes (clearly inferior to others) which start from 600 euros.
Most, however, which are also the most reliable, exceed 1,000 to 1,500 euros. However, users who have tried them for a long time claim that the payback – especially when they put their car aside – is within a year. Bike selection
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