If you’re thinking of buying a bike but haven’t a clue which bike to buy then hopefully we can help. We are not experts in all the different kinds of bikes and the technology involved etc and don’t claim to be. That doesn’t mean that we can’t help you make a decision on what bike to buy. What we can do is explain to you in an easy to understand, jargon-free language on the main difference between the main different types of bikes available.
There are a vast amount of different types of brands and types of bikes available. What we aim to do is help you to make an informed choice based on your individual needs. We will also provide references and links to other sources of information should you want to research further.
The main types of bikes are:
- Road Bikes
- Mountain Bikes
- Hybrids
- Gravel Bikes
- Electric Bikes
One of the first things you will need to do is to ask yourself the question:
What do I want the bike for?
The two most common reasons for wanting to buy a bike are to exercise or commute to and from work.
If you are considering buying a bike to gain a certain level of fitness or to lose a certain amount of weight then you might want to consider how hard you want to work to gain that level of fitness or lose that amount of weight.
Also you may want to consider if you can maintain the enthusiasm with a certain type of cycling. For instance you could possibly get bored of riding on tarmac roads with small or little gradients and want to consider something a little more challenging such as downhill mountain biking on trails etc
The main categories of bikes and general uses are as follows:
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Road Bikes
As the name suggests, these are for use on the roads and are therefore more suited to relatively smooth surfaces such as tarmac. They are ideal for travelling long distances and riding fast. They are lightweight, have skinny tyres and have dropped handlebars. They also have higher tyre pressures which make them more prone to punctures.
Pros: Great for riding long distances and riding fast
Cons: More susceptible to damage from uneven road surfaces and more prone to punctures
Summary
If you want to gain a level of fitness and want to or have the option to travel long distances on smooth surfaces to reach that goal then a road bike could be the best option for you
Mountain Bikes
Mountain bikes are more suited to uneven surfaces such as un-tarmacked roads and off-road such as woodlands, dirt tracks, gravel etc. They have wider tyres with deeper tread for extra grip and better braking on uneven surfaces and tend to be heavier than a road bike. Due to the extra weight and chunkier tyres they tend to be a lot slower on smoother surfaces such as tarmac.
If you are likely to be riding on slightly uneven and bumpy surfaces you may want to consider a bike with front suspension, called a Hardtail. These are available with 29 inch wheels which make it easier when riding over uneven surfaces. For more extreme terrain you may want to consider a full-suspension mountain bike.
Pros: Great for off road muddy and bumpy surfaces such as mountain bike trails
Cons: Slower on smooth surfaces such as roads, especially with the suspension option set to open
Summary
An ideal bike to have fun on all types of different terrain such as mountain bike trails and rough terrain. Also okay to travel relatively short distances on smooth surfaces but will require more effort than a road bike, gravel bike of hybrid.
Hybrid Bikes
A hybrid is similar to a mountain bike with it’s high and upright position but has skinnier tyres and less chunkier tread making it more suitable to smoother surfaces such as tarmac. They are capable of going fast when you want them to but are also capable of handling bumpy roads and moderately uneven surfaces. If you are unsure of what bike you need or are likely to be using it to commute to and from work then a hybrid is probably a good option for you. Just like a mountain bike, they have an upright riding position but the wheels are not as wide and they have less tyre tread.
Pros: Very capable on smooth surfaces such as tarmac
Cons: Unsuitable for rough terrain such as mountain bike trails
Summary
A more than capable bike for smooth and relatively bumpy surfaces with minimum effort but not suitable to rough terrain due to the narrow tyres and lack of tread.
Gravel Bikes
A gravel bike is very similar to a road bike but is much more capable of riding on surfaces such as loose gravel, slightly chunkier gravel (bigger stones) and slightly rockier ground. It also can be referred to as cyclocross or adventure bikes. This means it is not only easily capable of speed on smooth surfaces similar to a road bike but can also go off-road. The tyres are not as wide as mountain bikes and not much slimmer than a road bike. They have a little tread which helps with the rougher ground but not as much as a mountain bike, which can slow you down on smooth surfaces. Similar to the hybrid they are a good choice for someone who hasn’t quite decided on the best bike for them. The difference between the two though is the riding positions with the hybrid being higher and upright making it harder to reach speed on smooth surfaces but easier to handle on rougher smoother ground.
Pros: Great for speed on roads and other smooth to moderate surfaces
Cons: Not really suited to too bumpy a surface such as moderate to difficult mountain bike trails
Summary
A great bike which can be ridden fast on the roads and other smooth surfaces such as gravel and some novice to moderate trails. This makes this a great choice for a beginner who hasn’t quite decided what type of bike they want or for someone commuting too and from work.
Electric Bikes
The Electric bike is available in all the types of bikes we have mentioned. The beauty of the electric bike is that you have all the features of the type of bike you have but with the added bonus of an electric motor to help you pedal. This will help you climb the bigger hills or travel the extra miles you may not have been capable of before.
Pros: Makes riding long distances or up steep hills much easier, allowing you to ride for longer
Cons: More expensive and little heavier due to the electric motor and possibly a little unappealing for the die-hard fitness enthusiast who just wants to push themselves to the limit without any help.
Summary
If you are willing to spend a bit more money to save yourself from exerting more energy, therefore giving you a more pleasurable experience, or maybe you just want to enjoy riding for longer then the electric bike could be the bike for you.
