More Than Our Story

Choosing The Right Bike For You

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Spring is fast approaching – just yesterday I saw a dad loading his daughter’s new bike into his car, which started me thinking: “How would you go about choosing the right bike?” Bikes have been around for a long time, but the sheer number of specialized bikes has exploded recently. With bikes for every purpose imaginable, choosing the right bike is going to require some carefully asked questions, and more carefully answered ones. So without further hesitation – let’s get to it.

When choosing the right bike, it’s very important to know what you are looking for. Gone are the days of walking into a bike store and choosing between “road” or “mountain”. At the end of the day, choosing the right bike comes down to your needs, and your preferences. Are you a recreational rider, or is this going to be your commuter? Will you be riding strictly on paved roads, or do you want to take your bike off-road? What is your budget? Getting to know the different types of bicycles available today will be your first step towards making the right choice.

Let’s take a look at the types of bicycles available today:

Road Bikes

A road bike.

What They Are: Road bicycles are designed to be ridden fast on smooth pavement. They have smooth, skinny tires and “drop” handlebars, and can be used for on-road racing. They are usually lighter than other types of bicycles. 

Who They’re For: If you’re staying on pavement, a road bike may be right for you. However, they are not capable of carrying heavy loads, so are not very suitable for commuting or touring, and the riding position can be uncomfortable for some, and the wheels and tires susceptible to damage from kerbs and potholes.

Variants:

  • Aero: Intended for racing or time-trialing, they often feature more aggressive rider positions; with an emphasis on speed over rider comfort.
  • Ultralight: Made from the lightest material these bikes are built for long rides and steep hills. Not ideal for all-around use.
  • Endurance: The right pick for most riders. Endurance bikes feature a more comfortable upright rider position, and wider tires. Perfect for long rides.
  • Touring: Lightweight, built for comfort, and they come with extra mounts, for accessories and cargo, for long-distance, self-supported rides.
  • All-Road: A blend of road and gravel bikes. More clearance for larger tires, with road bike geometry, offering quicker steering and an aerodynamic rider position.
Base Price:
3/5

A decent road bike can be a sizable investment, while premium models costing easily over $10,000. The cost rises with the quality of the frame and components.

Gravel/Adventure Bikes

An adventure bike.

What They Are: While looking like road bikes, these bikes were designed to bring road bikes off-road. With larger tires, additional mounts for accessories, and a rider position designed to improve stability and comfort, these bikes open up a new world of possibilities.

Who They’re For: Nearly anyone. These bikes are the most versatile on the market today and can handle almost anything you throw at it. Additional mounts for accessories even make them a good choice for tourers and commuters. More likely than not, a gravel or adventure bike could be right for you.

Variants:

  • Gravel: Gravel bikes are lightweight, racing-style bikes, designed for use on mild off-road terrains. Provide a lighter, faster way of cycling in the great outdoors without the weight and heft of a traditional mountain bike.
  • Adventure/Bikepacking: Built for adventure. With clearance for wide tires, and a study frame with lots of mounts for accessories and luggage, this is the bike you want for bikepacking or  long-distance touring.
  • Cyclocross: Cyclocross is a unique sport. Racers ride around a dirt trail covered in obstacles at various intervals. Bikers must dismount their bikes and carry them over the obstacles, so naturally their bikes need to be lightweight, but also tough. Accessory mounts are usually unnecessary beyond a drink cage or two. 
Base Price:
2.5/5

Expect to pay at least as much as a road bike. Similarly, expect prices to reach into five figures when purchasing top end.

Track Bikes

A track bike.

What They Are: Single, fixed gear bikes, primarily used by racers professional training for races in velodromes. By design, riders cannot coast – to keep moving forwards the pedals must be in motion.

Who They’re For: Professionals. While track-style bikes have become popular as urban rides, these bikes are meant for racing in velodromes. 

Variants:

  • Standard: Like a road bike, but less aggressive rider positioning for longer mass-start events.
  • Sprint: Similar to a road bike but overbuilt to resist the forces of powerful riders doing maximum sprint efforts.
  • Pursuit: Bikes made for timed events, and team and individual pursuits. Like triathlon/time trial bikes, these bikes have a heavy emphasis on aerodynamics.
  • Track/Fixed Gear: Bikes for professional racers training in a velodrome setting.
Base Price:
5/5

The widest range of costs can be found with track bikes. Because there’s so little to them, they can be quite affordable, but high-end track bikes can cost as much as a car.

Triathlon/Time-Trial Bikes

A triathlon bike.

What They Are: Highly specialized road-style bikes built to optimize the rider’s aerodynamics. The frames and wheels are designed to reduce drag, and special handlebars allow riders to tuck into an aerodynamic position.

Who They’re For: Serious athletes, looking for all the advantages on race day.

Base Price:
4/5

Even the most affordable triathlon/time trial bikes will put you well out of pocket, with high end models easily pushing past $10,000.

Comfort/Fitness Bike

A cruiser bike.

What They Are: Not a road or mountain bike, but a category of bike that are more concerned with having fun, than taking themselves too seriously.

Who They’re For: Casual riders, fitness lovers, and commuters that live close to work. You’ll want to pick your style based on what you’ll do with it – fitness bikes are great for staying in shape, hybrids are great for roads and easy trails, and comfort bikes and cruisers are all about enjoying the journey

Variants: 

  • Fitness: Combining road bike speed with flat handlebars for more comfort than a traditional road bike.
  • Hybrid: A commuter favorite. Perfect for covering small to medium distances on good roads in comfort.
  • Comfort: Wider, treaded tires, cushioned seats, and sometimes suspension are the defining features on these bikes.
  • Cruiser: All fun, nothing too serious here. Not a good commuter option but gets you from point A to point B with a smile on your face.
Base Price:
2/5

Cruisers can be some of the most affordable bikes out there. High-end fitness bikes can run fairly steep depending on the component set.

Mountain Bikes

A Downhill Mountain Bike

What They Are: Built for tackling the most rugged off-road terrain. Mountain bikes have sturdy frames, flat handlebars, a wide-range drivetrain, and large, wide tires with lots of grip. They also feature excellent braking systems and shock-absorbers to tame the terrain.

Who They’re For: Loving riding off-road? Love trails and steep terrain? This is the bike for you!  While great for off-road riding, if you plan to spend most of your time on paved roads, you may want to check out a gravel or adventure bike.

Variants: 

  • Hardtail: These mountain bikes add suspension forks on to a rigid frame. They are also often the most affordable type.
  • Cross Country: Shorter-travel rear suspension. Prioritizing low bike weight and climbing efficiency.
  • All Mountain: Mid-travel suspension. Balancing climbing and descending capabilities.
  • Downhill: Long-travel rear suspension. Powerful brakes and aggressive tire treads for prioritizing control in steep, technical terrain.
Base Price:
2/5

A basic hardtail can cost just a few hundred dollars. But don’t be fooled with two stars, as the top end models cost $10,000.

Park Bikes

A BMX bike.

What They Are: These bikes exist to catch air. They’re built solid and sturdy to stand up to repeated impacts.

Who They’re For: People who love catching air, and hanging around BMX courses, dirt jump trails, or skateparks.

Variants:

  • BMX: Originally made for racing around motocross-style courses, these bikes are now more often found in skateparks. These small bikes have equally small tires, no suspension, riser handlebars, and just the one gear. Grinding pegs can be added for skatepark use. 
  • Trials: These bikes are built specifically for the sport of bike trials, which rewards stunts of agility, strength, and balance. Breakdancing on a bike.
  • Dirt Jump: A blend of BMX and mountain bike. They’re made for dirt jumps rather than racing or skateparks. Like BMXs, most have a single gear and rear brake only, but some add suspension and a front brake.
  • Slopestyle: These park bikes are closest to mountain bikes, with their suspension, multiple gears, and front and rear brakes. These bikes are designed for going fast down vertical courses and catching huge air.
(BMX,Trials,Dirt Jump) Base Price:
2/5
(Slopestyle) Base Price:
3/5

Price varies widely in this group. With BMXs the most affordable, followed by Dirt Jump bikes, and a decent slopestyle model costing a few thousand, and rising from there.

Utility Bikes

A folding bike

What They Are: These bikes are the equivalent of an SUV or a Swiss Army Knife.

Who They’re For: If you’re looking for an all-purpose urban bike to get you and your stuff where you need to go – this may be the bike for you. Great for commuting, running errands, or selling popsicles.

Variants:

  • Commuter: If utility is what you value, comfort is high on your list of preferences, and there aren’t any hills around you, this heavier bike may be for you.
  • Fixed Gear: A lightweight frame and just one gear. This variant of a utility bike has all the benefits of lower weight, and lower maintenance.
  • Cargo: If cargo is your main concern – this is your bike. You can fit a lot more in a cargo bike than you realize.
  • Folding: Folding bikes do just that, fold up for easy transportation and storage. Designed for tight spaces of urban environments, and those short on space at home, or at work. They are also highly portable, which means they’re ideal when you might have to hop onto a train or a bus to get where you’re going.
(Commuter, Fixed Gear) Base Price:
1/5
(Cargo, Folding) Base Price:
2.5/5

Commuter and fixed gear models are usually the most affordable. Cargo models can cost anywhere from a thousand, to well over for electric models.

Fat Bikes

A fat bike.

What They Are: Think huge tires. If you’ve seen one of these bikes, chances are you remember. Huge tire width, as much as 4” to 5” wide are the dominant features on these bikes. 

Who They’re For: Anyone really. The larger tires offer better flotation and traction for improved riding in loose soil, sand, or snow. 

Variants:

  • Hardtail Mountain: The original. Think mountain bike, but with oversized tires.
  • Hardtail Full-Suspension: A newer variant. A hardtail fat bike with suspension.
  • Cruiser: The newest variant, you’ve probably seen these cruisers along the beach.
Base Price:
2/5

Fat bikes have a great variety of prices – from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. Like all bikes, you’ll get what you pay for, with higher end options the reason for higher costs.

Recumbent Bikes

A recumbent bike.

What They Are: Long, low bikes, where the rider sits in a reclined size seat with a backrest. Recumbent bikes come in many configurations, including long and short wheelbases, and anywhere from two to four wheels. Steering can also be above or below the seat.

Who They’re For: Recreational and endurance road riders who find conventional bicycle positions too painful or impossible to use. They offer aerodynamic benefits, but are difficult to climb hills in.

Base Price:
2.5/5

Recumbent bikes are specialized, starting at $1000 for an entry model. As with other bikes, high-end frames and components will drive the price well up.

E-Bikes

An e-bike.

What They Are: E-bikes have an electric motor that assists your forward momentum.

Who They’re For: Commuters who don’t want to arrive at work soaked in sweat, and those looking for a little bit of help. 

Variants:

  • Commuter: Focused on urban commuting.
  • Cargo: Focused on hauling cargo, the motor takes the strain off the rider.
  • Mountain: An electric version of a mountain bike, which helps on the way up.
  • Road: An electric version of a road bike. Reduces the effort you need to keep up.
Base Price:
3.25/5

Because of the newer technology, these bikes tend to be on the more expensive side.

Types of Bikes

  • Road Bikes – Lightweight, fast bikes, with drop handlebars (the ones that point downwards) and thin tires. Recreational and racing, mostly on pavement.
  • Gravel/Adventure Bikes – Fast, lightweight bikes, with extra clearance for larger tires, sturdier frames, and mounts for accessories. The most versatile bikes available, suitable for a range of riding experiences.
  • Track Bikes – Specialized bikes used by professional racers, often for training in a velodrome setting. Seen occasionally on urban streets, ridden by serious commuters and bike couriers.
  • Triathlon Bikes – Highly specialized road-styled bikes built to maximize a rider’s aerodynamics, giving them every advantage on race day.
  • Comfort/Fitness Bikes – Not a road or mountain bike – a category that’s more concerned with having fun, than taking itself too seriously.
  • Mountain Bikes – Rugged, heavy-duty bikes, with flat handlebars and wide, grippy tires for off-road trail riding.
  • Park Bikes – Specialized bikes for catching air in specific settings – BMX racecourses, trails, and skateparks.
  • Utility Bikes – Practicality comes first with utility bikes designed. These are designed for commuting, transporting cargo, or running errands.
  • Fat Bikes – If you’ve seen one of these bikes you’d remember. Huge tire widths, as much as 4” to 5” wide are the dominant features on these bikes.
  • Recumbent Bikes – Long, low bikes, where the rider sits in a reclined seat with a backrest.
  • E-Bikes – The key feature of these bikes is the addition of a small, lightweight, electric motor to assist the rider.
SOURCES
Picture of Daniel

Daniel

Daniel is an extremely curious person, a wealth of random knowledge and facts. Extremely passionate about a vast array of interests ranging from health to history, science to athletics, everything culinary and the list goes on. Trust us, you would want to be on his team for Trivial Pursuit. Daniel is also years into his battle with brain cancer. He experienced a seizure while on a Zoom call at work in late 2020 and quite literally, his life changed within minutes. After his operation he started to talk about his story but had always known it was more than just him. From then, More Than Our Story became a PROJECT that has evolved into the starting point it is today.

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