Literate choice bicycle

The cycling of our country has reached unprecedented proportions. If ten years ago a cyclist was a rare occurrence, now almost every fifth resident of a large city has a two-wheeled vehicle. And if a person has not bought a bicycle yet, then he will definitely think about it. All this is explained by the availability of a bicycle - it is not necessary to postpone the entire salary for several months to purchase it.

If you also want to buy a bike soon, then we hurry to warn you about one problem. Initially, they all seem similar to each other. But in reality there are several types and even subspecies of bicycles, not to mention the different mounted equipment. If you are not prepared for the choice of a bike, then you risk to be trapped. A vehicle that is not suitable for your driving style will cause certain inconveniences. Be sure that after a year you will want to sell a bicycle, and it will seem to you that your body is not to blame for this, which is not adapted for such physical activities. In fact, you simply chose the wrong bike. Therefore, we recommend that you read this text, which will tell you about how different bikes differ from each other.

Bicycle type

First of all you need to decide on the type of bike. To do this, you should focus on the further method of using a two-wheeled vehicle. Surely you have heard that some people travel by bicycle, conquering distances of several thousand kilometers. Of course, for these purposes requires a specialized model, characterized by the presence of the trunk, high-quality attachments and robust design. Other people ride much less frequently, driving only a few dozen kilometers at a time. In this case, you should not spend extra money - it is quite suitable for an entry-level recreational or mountain bike.

Road bikes

These vehicles have a thin frame made of a particular material. In this regard, the bike gets the minimum weight, and this greatly simplifies acceleration - rolling resistance is minimal. But not for nothing that such an “iron horse” is called a highway - a light frame can not withstand the loads when driving outside asphalt. And the narrow range of gear is not conducive to off-road walks. A road bike is worth buying only to those people who are going to ride on the asphalt, spending a minimum of time on the ground.

Road bikes

These bicycles are popularly known as city bikes. They are distinguished by a planetary gear shifting mechanism (and sometimes it is simply absent), chain protection and an average frame weight. They also have at their disposal rear and front fenders that protect the cyclist from the effects of riding through puddles. Direct landing is not conducive to aerodynamics, and therefore you can forget about high speeds. But it is very convenient for moving around the city for short distances. A basket clings to the steering column of such a bicycle; a stable trunk can be mounted above the rear wheel. In short, the road bike is ideal for those people who are going to ride only in their city and do not think about any long-distance travels.

Courier bikes

Such bikes are very difficult to find in Russian stores. They are distinguished by minimum weight and fixed gear. Most often they use a foot brake, as in children's bicycles.Usually, amateurs turn a road bike into an express bike by removing all the extra stars, as well as performing other simple operations. Named such vehicles in honor of the American couriers, so loved them.

Touring bikes

We have similar two-wheeled "horses" are also extremely rare. It so happened that for cycle tourism in our conditions it is easier to use a highway or mountain bike. Although practice shows that tourist bikes are much more reliable - this is a kind of compromise between the two types of vehicles mentioned above. When buying it, you can forget about high speed, instead getting a wide range of gears, high strength and space for luggage. This is an ideal option for those who wish to go on a bike tour.

Track bikes

This type of vehicle will only interest athletes. Such bicycles are used only on open and closed cycle tracks. Everything is done in it for the best aerodynamics and fast acceleration. A side wind can banally blow it off the road. For the sake of relief track bike he got rid of brakes and other less necessary components. Also, such a vehicle has a fixed transmission and one gear ratio.

Children's bicycles

They can be completely different. For example, in the shops you can find a children's bike Merida, which has a minimal number of differences from its mountain prototype (but the cost will be scary). More popular are the simplified versions, similar to the famous "Schoolboy". Most often, these bikes have a foot brake and fixed gear. But there are exceptions, because the child should be trained to hand brakes as quickly as possible - they are equipped with almost all adult bikes. Options for the smallest have attachments for two supporting wheels. They are needed in the event that the child has not yet learned to keep balance. Finally, there are tricycles, which ride children, whose age does not exceed 3 years.

Bmx

A relatively recently invented type of bike. It has a low rider position and low weight. In fact, this vehicle is not intended for movement over long distances. Most often, BMX is used to perform tricks on ramps, jumps and flat platforms. Special protrusions on the front hub allow you to drive even on the front wheel. The acquisition of such a bike is recommended for extremes who have little skateboard, roller skates and snowboard.

Mountain bikes

The most popular type of bike in our country. There are several subspecies of such vehicles. Dvuhpodvesy most strongly stand out. If an ordinary mountain bike has only one shock absorber (built into the front fork), then the double suspension is additionally endowed with a special spring located somewhere under the rider. This allows you to drive on so uneven areas that they would scare any other cyclist. Not every mountain bike supports trunk installation. Also, all of them are initially equipped with tires with a high tread, they help to pass even on the sand. However, such tires do not contribute to speeding on asphalt, which is why they often get a half-slick for the replacement. The mountain bike has a wide frame, because of which it can not weigh very little. All this suggests that such a vehicle should be of interest only to someone who does not want to make multi-day trips.

Ligerad

So called a recumbent bike, the least popular among the people. He least burdens the back of a cyclist, since he is in a supine position. However, this greatly influences overcoming the ascents - a person does not have the opportunity to step on the pedals with all his weight.In connection with this, the edge car is only suitable for driving on flat areas that have an asphalt surface. Such bikes are most common in Europe, where they are used by tourists.

Wheel size

When you have decided on the type of bike - it is time to pay attention to the size of the wheels. It can vary from 12 to 29 inches. Small wheels are usually mounted on children's bicycles - otherwise the child simply could not get to the saddle. Medium wheels are equipped with road bikes used to get around the city. Urban and road bikes usually get wheels that range in size from 26 to 29 inches, although exceptions do occur.

If 29-inch wheels are installed on the vehicle, they will cover a greater distance in fewer revolutions. Also, they will literally swallow up small obstacles, less loading the suspension fork and hands. However, the weight of such wheels with tires will be more. In this regard, it is difficult to overcome the climbs - in many cases you will have to dismount for this. If you know that you will have to ride not only across the plain, it is better to limit yourself to 26-inch wheels. Also, this option is ideal for constant movement around the city - large wheels allow you to accelerate to high speed, and in urban environments it is simply not necessary.

Frame size (size)

The size of the frame primarily depends on the convenience of the trip. If you buy a bike that is too big, you simply cannot take it. It is necessary to select a two-wheeled "horse" so that from the seat tube to your groin there is a distance of at least 5-7 cm. At the same time, you must stand on the ground, and not on the pedals.

There are several frame sizes. You can get acquainted with them in the table below.

The size	The size	Inches	Centimeters
Very small	XS	14	35,4
Little	S	16	40,6
Average	M	18	45,7
Above the average	L	20	50,8
Big	XL	22	55,8
Very big	XXL	24	60,8

The following table shows which frame of a road or road bike is ideal for a person with a particular height. However, it should be remembered that all this is only in theory. Two people of the same height can have legs of different lengths. You should also not forget that with different wheels the same frame will be of different heights. In this regard, it is not recommended to order and buy a bike on the Internet - it can turn out to be great for you. It is better to go to the nearest store and try the bike there.

Frame	Height (cm)
14 inches	135-155
16 inches	150-165
18 inches	165-178
20 inches	175-185
22 inches	185-195
24 inches	from 190

Attachment Equipment

Under the attachment most often refers to the brakes and switches. At any time they can be easily changed. Attached equipment can be completely deprived of children's bicycles - there they brake with the help of legs, and the gear shift is not necessary at all. The more expensive the equipment, the better it works and weighs less. It also affects the reliability - high-quality brakes and switches can operate stably for many tens of thousands of kilometers.

Brakes

V-brake type brakes are still very popular. So called pads that clamp the rim between each other. The main advantages of such brakes are minimum weight and low price. That is why only they are used by cyclists, athletes, daily surmount several hundred kilometers on asphalt. Unfortunately, the pads are quickly erased, in connection with which they need to be changed regularly. For one season with active driving, you can change a couple of pads. Also, such brakes can become useless if the wheel gets a "eight".

More reliable are disc brakes. Usually neither G8, nor rain, nor dirt influences their work. Disc brakes can last for many years.But it must be remembered that they can not be installed on each bike - they require special holes in the frame. Usually their installation is impossible on bicycles, the cost of which is less than 15 thousand rubles.

Switches

On the bikes are put the front and rear switches. The number of speeds depends on the number of stars on your bike. The front derailleur is least intricate to use. If you put it right - it can serve for years, without fear of dirt and rain. If problems start - just wash off the accumulated dirt. Yes, and the front switch works without any problems, even if it belongs to the amateur class.

But this can not be said about the rear derailleur. His metal cock is the most vulnerable spot. This part regularly moves towards the spokes and back. It is easy to damage, and if the switch is not set up correctly, the rooster can get into the knitting needles, with the most unpredictable consequences. After buying a bike, it is recommended to go to the bicycle workshop and ask them to adjust the switch so you save yourself time and nerves. To customize this element is recommended only with the advent of experience.

The stable operation of the switches helps to overcome the rises with less effort, as well as develop a huge speed on a flat surface. Cheap switches transfer the chain from one star to another with some effort and delay. Switches of the initial sports or tourist group work noticeably more adequately, but their cost is slightly higher.

Shifters

Braking and switching speeds cyclist performs with the help of shapers - special mechanical devices located on both handlebars. Their design may differ depending on the cost. On the cheapest shifters shifting is done by rotating the wheel. This is inconvenient, since for this it is necessary to remove one of the hands from the steering wheel.

Higher quality shifters allow you to switch the speed by clicking one of the two levers. The current program is always indicated on the shifter. The brake is activated with the help of a large lever - usually just two fingers are enough for this.

Cables

When you press the brake lever or shift the gear, the corresponding element of the bicycle is set in motion with the help of a cable. The longer it is, the sooner problems are identified. That is why the rear switch must be regularly adjusted, giving him a smaller cable length (it tends to stretch). This is done with the help of a small wheel on the switch itself or on the shifter. It is also necessary to always keep the "shirt" clean - the braid, inside which is a metal cable.

In more expensive bikes, the brakes can be operated using hydraulics. Cables in this case are replaced by tubes with a special fluid. Hydraulic brakes are needed if you regularly ride on mountain slopes. The cables are gradually stretched, because of which the brakes work worse. And with the liquid, nothing will be for a long time. Fully pressing the brake lever in this case stops the wheel tightly. Hydraulics are a little more difficult to maintain - when replacing a wheel or tire, special clamps are required, due to which fluid does not flow out of the tube.

Depreciation

When choosing a bike you should definitely pay attention to the suspension. Cheap and children's models are completely devoid of it. Such bicycles can go on the ground and asphalt with potholes, but a person will feel all the irregularities on himself. With a long ride on this surface can get sore hands. A few years of regular trips can lead to not the most pleasant diseases. A bicycle without shock absorbers is called a rig, and buying it is recommended only when austerity is needed.

Hardtails are much more popular.Most mountain bikes belong to them - the lack of a front shock absorber would make driving on a stone and dirt surface particularly unpleasant. Depreciation fork can be made by different technologies. The cheapest is a fork with a twisted metal spring. Its main drawback is a decent mass. Also in such a fork there may be oil, due to which depreciation stably works several seasons in a row.

Much more expensive are air plugs. Their work is best manifested at the end of the turn, which makes it possible to overcome major obstacles with greater comfort. But most of all these forks like for a small weight - they are at least 150 g lighter than spring counterparts.

You should also pay attention to the method of adjusting the suspension fork. In cheap bikes, it may not be adjusted at all. But most often the plug can still be adjusted to your weight, as well as block its work (this is necessary on an asphalt road, so that all efforts go into pedaling).

Dvukhpoddyy are also gaining more popularity now. These bikes are complemented by a rear shock absorber, so that the fifth point of the cyclist practically does not notice potholes on the road and other obstacles. If you are going to drive only on rough terrain - your two-suspension should be your choice. But it is recommended to look towards more expensive bicycles, because only in them the rear shock absorber works most adequately.

Frame material

Bike frame can be made of alloy steel or aluminum alloy. Steel is most often used in the production of road bikes. This material has a large mass, and therefore the frame is trying to make as thin as possible. The main advantage of steel is its excellent resistance to stress. The efforts of the cyclist can bend the metal slightly - he will definitely straighten back. It is possible to break such a frame only when falling from a great height or under the wheels of a car.

Aluminum alloy with various additives has a lower weight. Also, this material is not afraid of moisture - the frame does not need to wipe after rain, for fear of corrosion. But aluminum is not famous for its reliability. It is difficult to bend. But if you do this - back to straighten the frame pipe will not work. In most cases, the aluminum alloy frame does not bend, but simply breaks. And if steel is easily brewed at any auto repair shop, then such focus will not work with aluminum. That is why mountain bikes have such a thick frame. This does not allow it to break even under considerable load, while the weight remains quite sane.

Gradually, carbon frames are used. However, so far carbon fiber remains a very expensive material, and therefore bicycles from it cost a lot of money. High-quality carbon hard to break. But if it happened - get ready to buy a new frame, such a failure can not be repaired. The main advantage of carbon fiber is that it weighs almost nothing. The frame created from it can have a mass of 1-2 kg.

There are also bicycle frames assembled from titanium. However, working with such material is technologically difficult, which is why large companies do not practice this business. If the cyclist desperately needs such a frame, then the only option is to place an order with one or another plant working with titanium. A distinctive feature of this material is low weight (more than carbon-fiber plastic, but less than aluminum), corrosion resistance and high strength.

Most Popular Bicycle Manufacturers

Cube

The Cube trademark was founded in 1993 in Germany. Germans produce a wide variety of bicycles, products are shipped to three dozen countries. The company's product range includes women's, children's, mountain, road, tourist, and even electric bicycles. All of them are developed in Germany, and some models are even tested by German professional athletes.Welding and painting frames in specialized factories in Asia. Installation of the steering wheel, pedals, attachments and other elements involved in the German city of Waldershof.

Gt bicycles

GT Bicycles was founded in 1975. Its headquarters is located in Southern California. It is now part of the Canadian Dorel Industries (it also owns the brands Mongoose, Cannondale and Schwinn). The lion's share of GT Bicycles products is mountain hardtails and dvuhpodvesy.

Stels

Bikes under the brand Stels are produced by the holding company "Velomotors". The company was founded in 1996, its location is the city of Lyubertsy (Moscow region). The range of this manufacturer has both budget products, and much more expensive. The most popular are children's and city bikes. But no less famous line is Stels Navigator, which has several good mountain bikes.

Forward

The history of Russian Forward bikes began in 1999. Since then, the company's turnover has grown to several tens of millions of dollars. The headquarters of the company is located in Perm. The basis of the company was the plant "Velta", which once produced the famous "Kama" bicycles. Products under the Forward brand are designed for both budget amateurs and professionals. The company produces mountain, city (regular and folding), children's and even women's bicycles.

Ktm

These bikes are manufactured by the Austrian company KTM Sportmotorcycle AG. The company is much more known for its motocross bikes, so you should not be surprised that its bicycles are mainly mountain. Especially popular are its dvuhpodvesy, in demand in our country.

Stern

If you are in search of the cheapest bike, then it is worth looking towards Stern. This trademark belongs to the sport store chain "Sportmaster". Bicycles are distinguished by good quality and attractive appearance. There are both mountain, and city and children's Stern bicycles.

Merida

Merida was founded in 1972. The headquarters is located in Taiwan, welding frames takes place in China. Now it is one of the largest manufacturers of bicycles - products are supplied to many countries. The company regularly becomes a sponsor of highway teams or athletes participating in pro-tour races. Merida produces relatively affordable mountain, as well as children's and road bikes.

Specialized

Specialized Bicycle Components is engaged in the production of not only bicycles, but also tires, pumps and other accessories. It was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in California. The annual turnover exceeds $ 300 million. The company's product range includes electric bicycles, hybrid, road, mountain, children’s, road and some other bicycles.

Trek

The American company Trek Bicycle Corporation annually produces hundreds of thousands of bicycles. They are shipped to all major continents. Budget products differ unnecessarily cheap attachments. But more expensive bicycles serve their owners faithfully for many years. In the assortment of the company there are bikes of any type, including courier. The most expensive frames are made from carbon.

Commencal

This manufacturer is based in Andorra. It was founded in the near 2000. Specializes in the latest developments in the field of mountain bikes and sports equipment. His vehicles should appeal to athletes and extremes who are fond of dauhinhill and other mountain disciplines. The reliability of products is indicated by the victories of athletes with these bikes at major competitions.

Orbea

The Spanish company Orbea was founded in 1840. Now its staff includes 280 people, and the annual turnover exceeds $ 75 million. For a long time, the manufacturer specialized in building revolvers and other types of firearms. But after the end of the Second World War, he switched to road bikes. Now the company also creates mountain, city, pleasure and children's bicycles.

De rosa

The Italian company De Rosa was founded in 1953. She specializes in the production of road bikes, designed for both amateurs and professionals. Frames are made of aluminum or carbon. Also in the model range includes several track bikes.

Pinarello

The headquarters of this company is located in the Italian city of Treviso. Masters of Cicli Pinarello S.p.A. are engaged in the production of track, mountain, highway, teenage and other bicycles. Some models are based on a carbon frame (material supplied by the Japanese company Toray). In the production of other bicycles involved titanium, magnesium and aluminum. Most often, the assembly is carried out manually.