HOME
Your Subtitle text
| BICYCLE TYPES | |||
|
Definitions of Bicycle Types
Mountain (or All Terrain) bicycles (MTB or ATB) are designed primarily for use on unpaved surfaces such as dirt trails. They have wide knobby tires. Designs are highly specialized: fully rigid (no suspension); dual or full suspension (front and rear shocks); hard tail (front suspension only); and soft tail (small amount of rear suspension only). Designs can also be oriented towards many disciplines, including cross country, enduro (or all mountain), freeride, and downhill. List
Return to top of page
Road (or racing) bicycles are designed primarily for use on paved roads. They are fast, lightweight and aerodynamic. They have drop handlebars and multiple gears. List
Return to top of page
Hybrid (also known as Comfort, Commuter or Utility) bicycles are designed for light recreation, such as running errands around town or short commutes. Though they tend to be heavier than road or touring bicycles, they are sturdy, durable, and practical. They can be used on paved roads or dirt paths. There are many varieties of hybrid bikes, reflecting emphasis (e.g., road or dirt trails) and marketing considerations. List
Return to top of page
BMX (Bicycle Motocross) bicycles are designed for racing on dirt tracks or the performance of tricks. They normally have 20-inch wheels and are single speed. List
Return to top of page
Touring bicycles are designed for bicycle excursions. They are robust, comfortable and capable of carrying loads. They can be used for short day tours around the neighborhood or lengthy tours across the country or around the world. List
Return to top of page
Tandem bicycles are designed to be ridden by two people (fore and aft). Two sets of cranks are mechanically linked by the chain and turn at the same rate. Tandem bikes generally are available as road, touring or hybrid set-ups. They are also available as recumbents. List
Return to top of page
Recumbent bicycles are designed to allow the rider to sit in a supine position against a back support. There are a number of specific set-up options, e.g., placement of the handlebar, wheelbase, and wheel size can vary. List
Return to top of page
Women’s bicycles are designed specifically for the physical characteristics of women, especially in regard to the geometry of the frame. They are becoming increasingly common. However, this does not necessarily mean that bikes not made specifically for women are inappropriate for them to ride. In fact, many bikes are considered appropriate for either gender. List
Return to top of page
Single speed bicycles are designed for the ultimate in simplicity – they have only one gear. List
Return to top of page
Youth bicycles are smaller than normal bicycles and are generally hybrids but are also available as mountain, BMX, hybrid and even track bicycles. While they are normally unisex, boy- and girl-specific designs are also common. They are available in various sizes. List
Return to top of page
Track bicycles are designed to be used on a velodrome, a specially designed arena with steeply banked oval tracks. Track bikes have fixed gears, i.e, they have no freewheel, only one gear ratio, and a sprocket screwed directly on to the hub. As a result, a fixed gear can’t coast; whenever the rear wheel is turning, the pedals are turning in the same direction. Stopping is accomplished without brakes; to stop or slow down, the rider resists the forward motion of the pedals. List
Return to top of page
Cruiser bicycles were the standard American bike from the early 1930s through the 1950s; they are experiencing a resurgence due to their comfort, style and affordability. They have balloon tires, simple mechanical components, and single speeds. List
Return to top of page
Time trial/triathon bicycles are similar to road bikes but are modified to reflect the fact that the discipline of time trialing (racing against the clock) disallows drafting, i.e., the practice among cyclists of riding in a close line to minimize wind resistance. The main modification is the addition of aerodynamic (aero) bars, which allow the bicyclist to ride in a tucked position, thus cutting down on wind resistance. Frames and components may also be designed to minimize air resistance. List
Return to top of page
Cyclocross bicycles are designed for the sport of cyclocross. The sport consists of several laps of about 2 miles across pavement, grass hills, trails and obstacles. The rider needs to dismount often and carry the bike across difficult terrain. Cyclocross bicycles have features similar to both road bikes (e.g., light weight, drop handlebars), and mountain bikes (knobby tread tires, cantilever brakes). List
Return to top of page
Folding bicycles are designed to fold, or be taken apart, to become compact. This is usually accomplished through the use of hinges or couplings. Folding bikes are popular with commuters who may not have much space to store their bikes, and travelers who wish to carry their bikes easily on planes and urban transport. List
Return to top of page
Bicycle Frame Materials
The most common materials for the fabrication of bicycle frames are aluminum, carbon fiber, steel, and titanium. In some cases, frames are constructed from 2 or more of these materials (combination frames). The main relevant characteristics to consider in regard to frame material are: weight; stiffness (which affects comfort and power efficiency); and strength (which affects crash-worthiness and durability).
Aluminum
Aluminum frames typically (but not always) weigh less than steel but also have lower strength than steel. Also, unlike steel and titanium, which have unlimited fatigue endurance, aluminum can fail if subjected to repeated stress. However, using good mechanical design, construction practices and high quality alloys can extend the useful life of aluminum frames to acceptable levels.
Return to top of page
Carbon Fiber
Carbon fiber is a composite, non-metallic material that has become increasingly common in the manufacture of bicycle frames. Although somewhat expensive, it is light-weight, corrosion resistant and strong. Another advantage is that it can be formed into almost any shape desired. The result is that it can be fine-tuned for specific strength where it is desired, while allowing flexibility in other frame sections for comfort.
Return to top of page
Steel
Steel frames are often built using various types of steel alloys including chromoly. They are strong, easy to work, and relatively inexpensive, but heavier than many other frame materials. Steel tubing is often less rigid than tubing in other materials; this flex allows for some shock absorption giving the rider a slightly less jarring ride compared to other more rigid tubings, such as aluminum.
Return to top of page
Titanium
Titanium, originally developed for the aerospace industry, is perhaps the most exotic and expensive material commonly used for bicycle frames. It combines a high strength to weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and reasonable stiffness. It is more difficult to machine than steel or aluminum, which raises its cost.
Return to top of page
Combination
Recently, many bike manufacturers have begun to construct bicycle frames from a combination of materials (typically, one or more metals for the frame and carbon fiber for the seat stays). The result is the desired stiffness, compliance, or damping in various areas better than can be accomplished using a single material. Note that, while it is quite common in many bikes for the fork to be made from a different material than the frame, this does not qualify as a “combination” frame since the fork is a separate piece than the frame.
Return to top of page
Home | How To Find A Bike | Bike Types/Materials | About Us/Contact | Disclaimers/Pricing | Privacy Policy | Mountain Bikes Road Bikes | Hybrid Bikes | BMX Bikes | Touring Bikes Tandem Bikes Recumbent Bikes Women's Bikes
Single Speed Bikes Youth Bikes | Track Bikes | Cruiser Bikes | Time Trial Bikes | Cyclocross Bikes | Folding Bikes