Walking into a bicycle store can be an overwhelming experience, especially for newbies or those getting back into riding after years/decades away from it. There are so many bicycle options to choose from that many riders don’t even know where to start.
So let me help cut through some of the confusion. Below are some descriptions of the different styles of bicycles and what their intended use it. Be aware that these are just generalizations. Talk to the staff of your local bike shop for more in-depth information. These folks are a wealth of information and are more than happy to help introduce you into the bicycling lifestyle.
The most common types of bicycles:
Road bicycles: once upon a time these were called “10 speeds”, for those of us old enough to remember that term. In the modern era most road bikes come with 21 to 27 speeds. Road bikes are the Ferrari’s of the cycling world, because they are fast and nimble (and not so very comfortable). They also tend to be very expensive!
There are several sub-types of the road bicycle genre:
- Endurance/comfort: the geometry of this style is designed to put the rider in a slightly more upright postion than the racing style.
- Race: this geometry is designed to put the rider in a more aggressive and aerodynamic position. The trade-off is that it’s not quite as comfortable as the endurance style.
- Specializations: Triathalon, Time Trial and Gravel: not for your usual rider. You’d know if you needed one.
Mountain Bikes (MTB): Mountain bikes are the Jeep’s of the cycling world. They are designed to go off-road and absorb abuse. The frames are much sturdier than road bikes, and most MTB’s come with some sort of suspension to soften the bumps and dips in the path. The three most popular types are:
- Hardtail: most common type mountain bike. Only has a front suspension, hence the name “hardtail”. Not as comfortable as a full suspension, but longer lasting and more affordable.
- Full suspension: as the name implies, it has suspension in both the front and back. Much more comfortable and better handling over rough terrain. Comes with a hefty price tag, and tends to have a shorter lifespan than the hardtail.
- Fat tire: MTB’s with extra wide tires. Great for riding in snow or sand.
Hybrid (also known as recreation/fitness/commuter) bicycles: These are the family sedan or SUV of the cycling world. They are very versatile and, perhaps more importantly, very affordable. As the name implies, hybrids are a cross between road and mountain bikes. They are almost as light as road bikes but their geometry puts you in a more upright (MTB) position so they’re more comfortable. They are great bikes for commuting and fitness riding. They come in two “flavors”, road or mountain bike style:
- MTB style: these come with a slightly beefier frame of the two styles, and they also come with a front suspension for dealing with ruts and potholes on your local bike trail or dirt path. NOT designed for hardcore mountain biking! The frame and suspension are too lightweight for that kind of riding.
- Road bike style: lighter frame than the MTB hybrid, and comes with a standard front fork. They are built for going farther and faster, and the preferred model for most commuters.
Cruiser/comfort: the mini-van of the cycling world. Built so the rider can sit in a full upright position, they are usually equipped with fairly wide tires and a wide, cushy saddle making them very comfortable bikes. They tend to be fairly heavy and slow. These bikes are for easy, fun rides around the neighborhood or heading to the local park for a picnic.
My ride is a Trek 7.3 road bike style hybrid (click to embiggen).
There ya go, a simplified overview of the most common bikes you might find in your local bike store, with a description that will help you match the right bike for the type of riding you want to do.
