by John Brown
If e-bikes are out of your price range, or you just want a low-tech ride, let’s look at the basics. Trail bikes, fitness bikes, hybrid bikes, and dual-sport bikes all fall into the same category of bicycles. Although these bikes all occupy the same category, they have very different uses. Read on to find out which bike will best fit your needs.
Before buying one of many hybrid bikes, determine where you want to ride
Road riding options
Thanks to bicycle-conscious city planners and influential cycling groups, paved surfaces are more inviting to cyclists than ever before. Bike lanes on city roads, bike paths on retired rail lines, and dedicated cycling trails are just a few of the options open for paved riding. Because of these options, many higher-end bicycles are available for paved riding, as well as for gravel, racing, and touring.
Bikes for path/trail riding
By far, path and trail riders are the largest segment of casual cyclists. This is due to the vast availability of riding options. Because of these options, these bikes are normally designed with fatter tires and flat handlebars to ride comfortably and efficiently.
Bikes for off-road riding
A newly emerging category is casual off-road riding. For this reason, many bicycle manufacturers have developed products to allow riders to enjoy single-track trails comfortably. These bikes are similar to path/trail bikes but usually include tires with more knobs and suspension.
How frequently do you plan on riding?
The cost of a bicycle can range from around $300 up to tens of thousands of dollars. The most basic models use less durable materials, such as plastics for the shifting components and mild steel for the drivetrain and cockpit, rather than metals. As prices increase, stronger materials replace less durable ones, resulting in a bicycle that will hold up better for frequent use. Consequently, at a certain price (different for every category of a bike), the durability doesn’t increase. Instead, the weight begins to decrease. A lighter bicycle is easier to control and accelerate (making for a more enjoyable ride). Determining how often you intend to ride and weighing that against the bikes you are considering will help ensure you get the right bike for your needs.
Bike features
Disc brakes vs. rim brakes
Rim brakes work by two rubber pads squeezing the aluminum rim of your wheel. They are inexpensive, functional, and lightweight. When conditions are good, they work incredibly well. Disc brakes use hardened semi-metallic pads to squeeze a hardened steel rotor. Disc brakes produce an enormous amount of friction, and that friction can overcome poor conditions. To summarize, both brakes work, but disc brakes work better in poor conditions.
Suspension vs. no suspension
Bikes that go off-road typically use suspension forks to silence the chatter of an unpaved path, dirt road, or trail. Bikes with rigid forks tend to handle better because they are laterally stiffer and, due to the lack of moving parts, lighter.
Wheel size
In this category, you will find both smaller and larger wheels. The smaller wheels are usually 26” in diameter and around 2 inches wide. The larger wheels are sized at 700c (roughly 28″ in diameter) and are usually between 28 and 42 millimeters wide.
Differences
Once you have decided where and how often you want to ride and learned about some of the features, it’s time to learn more about the differences between the bikes.
Hybrid Bikes
Hybrid bicycles were once the only bikes in this category. They get their name because they were initially a hybrid of a mountain bike and a road bike. Today, a hybrid is a great bike for fun and fitness. They usually incorporate suspension forks to smooth out the road. Most types use a tire that is 30-40 mm wide and well-suited to gravel roads, rail-to-trail paths, or paved roads. If you are looking for the most comfortable ride across the largest segment of conditions, a hybrid is the right choice.
Fitness bikes
Fitness bikes share many features with hybrids, including similar wheel sizes, riding positions, and gearing. Where they differ is that hybrids incorporate many features to enhance comfort, while fitness bikes focus on efficiency and lightweight design. If you are the type of rider who wants a great workout and to enjoy your neighborhood or local bike path, a fitness bike is the right choice.
Dual Sport bikes
Dual-sport bikes are a new and rapidly growing segment of this category. The sport bike is similar to the hybrid in that it uses suspension. Where it differs from a hybrid is that they are designed for gravel and off-road use. By changing the rider position, incorporating wider tires, and using disc brakes, these bikes excel on slightly more technical bike trails. If your adventure takes you off the beaten path, dual sport bikes are the tool of choice.
How to choose
Paramount to buying the right bike is trying them. Go to a bike shop and start with a bike that fits you correctly. Take it for a good 10-15 minute ride to see how it handles. Ride it on hills and some paths if possible. Next, try some other models that use different features. Test riding will quickly highlight the benefits of disc brakes, suspension, and tire sizes. Once you feel comfortable on a few bikes, try them back-to-back and figure out which is the right fit for you. You may need to visit a couple of additional bike shops that carry different brands to find the one that’s right for you.
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