How to choose a bike – expert opinions

Currently, the popularity of bicycles is experiencing another, hitherto unseen, rise. Both in cities and in villages, this type of transport is becoming the main one, with its help it is often faster to get to the place of study or work than by car. This is especially true of large cities with their numerous traffic jams and a large number of cars during rush hour, as well as rugged countryside, the quality of the roads in which leaves much to be desired. In addition, a huge plus of a bicycle is its beneficial effect on the body – everyday cycling has a positive effect on the respiratory and circulatory systems of the body, allows you to strengthen the muscle corset and contribute to weight loss. It is these and many other reasons that make people think about buying a compact bike even for those people who cannot imagine their own existence without a car and are skeptical about two-wheeled vehicles. And all that is required of the future rider is to determine the specific features of the bike, as well as to choose the most suitable model, based on their own budget and operating conditions.

Top manufacturers

Buying a quality bike is a very responsible business that requires a certain level of knowledge and experience. However, the first thing to look out for is the manufacturer of your future bike. The quality of its assembly in general and the elements used in particular depends on whose hands the bicycle is created from, as well as how smooth the operation will be later. Experienced specialists who have been working in this field for a long time, unanimously advise to give preference to products of the following brands:

1. Gt bicycles

2. Merida

3. Shimano

4. Forward

5. Author

Each of the above-mentioned brands has in their catalogs a great variety of models designed for certain operating conditions, regardless of whether the rider is a teenager, an adult man or a fragile young lady. However, one should not limit oneself to catalog information alone – on the Internet there are a great many reviews of buyers who managed to break in one or another bike and definitely have something to say. Such reviews are both positive and negative and also indicate the shortcomings of a particular model. Such information is definitely not found in the official brochures of the manufacturing company, but very often it is this information that carries the maximum benefit for the end customer.

Types of bicycles. What designs are popular on the market?

More recently, the range of bicycles that can be found on sale was limited to the frame 'Stork', its 'ladies' counterpart, devoid of the upper crossbar, as well as a folding bike with funny little wheels. Since then, almost three decades have passed, and the number of bicycles on sale has grown tenfold, which played a cruel joke with the buyer, making the choice of a particular model many times more difficult. However, one should not despair! Before giving away your hard-earned money, you should answer one simple question – 'why am I buying myself a bicycle? Under what conditions will I operate it? ' And as a kind of answer to it, the most common classes can act, to which 99% of the bicycles on sale in one way or another belong.

Universal bikes (All-round MTB)

This class of bicycles accounts for the largest number of sales. It is not surprising – universal bicycles have their name for a reason. Being a kind of simplified version of 'mountaineers', these bikes are equally well suited for operation in off-road modes, and when riding on a flat asphalt-concrete road. The developed tread of the road shape, wheels with a diameter of 23-25 ​​inches and above, a sensitive and effective braking system, as well as a thoughtful algorithm for changing the gear ratio, including both short-stroke and 'long' gears, designed for fast driving on the highway – these are the main characteristics of universal bike models.

Advantages

• High quality workmanship;

• Long stroke of the shock absorber system and the fork in particular – 90-110 millimeters;

• Wide and powerful wheels equipped with a tenacious tread, having a diameter of 23-25 ​​inches or more;

• Reliable and functional mechanisms that allow you to regulate the speed of movement, to precisely dose the braking forces and provide maximum maneuverability in any operating mode

• Universal characteristics that allow operation both on moderate off-road and on good asphalt surfaces;

disadvantages

• They are unlikely to 'survive' extreme off-road use;

• Most advanced road models;

City bikes

Compact devices, the frame of which resembles the good old folding bike in its slightly modified form. The main mode of their operation is measured skiing in the urban cycle. Landing on such bicycles is almost vertical, as convenient as possible for a measured and unhurried ride through the city streets. The speed controller has similar characteristics – you should not expect a large number of gears, their maximum number does not exceed 6-8. In addition, mudguards on both wheels and a trunk are the hallmarks of city bikes.

Advantages

• Compact design;

• The presence of a trunk;

• Comfortable fit;

• Simplicity and unpretentiousness in maintenance and care;

• Small own dimensions;

disadvantages

• Are not expressways;

• Almost all devices of this class are devoid of shock absorbers;

• Mediocre braking system;

Mountain bikes

They are designated by the abbreviation MTB (Mountain Bike) and are positioned as an ideal option for cycling trials and all kinds of off-road rides. Their key features are powerful wheels with a developed tread, the diameter of which is not less than 25-27 inches, a shortened frame with pronounced stiffening ribs, and a carriage located quite high above the ground. It will not do without a powerful and reliable system for changing gear ratios, as well as an advanced braking system that allows you to stop the bike almost instantly.

Advantages

• High cross-country ability;

• Maximum resilience regardless of the mode of operation and the nature of the route;

• Excellent damping properties thanks to the suspension equipped with a long travel center fork;

• A large number of gear ratio switching algorithms (usually 20-22 or more);

• Unpretentious and powerful construction;

disadvantages

• High price;

• Active driving assumes a special position that is not comfortable and ergonomic;

Road or track bikes

Sport in its purest form. Road bikes can be distinguished with the naked eye – their main difference is a thin lightweight frame and a downward-curved handlebar. Wheels also stand out – less than 29-30 inches in diameter are not installed on such bicycles, in principle, and their tread has a minimum thickness and contributes to the development of maximum speed. The presence of an advanced gear shifting system (up to 30-35 speeds), as well as a powerful braking system, which will allow the bike to stop even at high speed, are also mandatory.

Advantages

• Minimum weight;

• Functional gear shifting system;

• High-quality braking system;

• Large wheels with a low tread profile;

• Strong and compact frame;

disadvantages

• Not suitable for use on bad roads and off-road;

• Inconvenient fit;

• High price;

Children's bicycles

A child's bike can also be spotted with the naked eye. By their appearance, such bicycles resemble city or universal bikes, but their size is 1.5-2 times smaller than usual. These bikes are designed for the smallest riders and are great for learning to ride. These bicycles are mounted on compact wheels, the diameter of which almost never exceeds 15-17 inches, and the standard delivery set includes small additional wheels that are fixed at the rear of the bike and give it additional stability.

Advantages

• A great option for beginner cyclists;

• Low price;

• Can be customized for a baby of any height;

• Simple and reliable design, not afraid of careless handling;

disadvantages

• Flimsy frame;

• It is impossible to buy 'for growth' – after the baby grows up, the bike will remain unclaimed;

The main criteria for choosing a bike

Having decided on the class of a particular bike, the functional features of which will suit your operating conditions in the most optimal way, it's time to consider the key technical characteristics that need to be paid the most close attention. Just like a car, a bicycle also consists of a large number of different elements, each of which directly affects the functional characteristics and the ability to operate the bike in certain conditions.

Frame design and material from which it is made

1. Frames made of steel are installed on budget bike models. Their advantages are the minimum price and high strength, and the disadvantages include high weight and tendency to corrosion;

2. Aluminum is a much lighter and more user-friendly material. The disadvantages of aluminum frames are oxidation and relatively low mechanical strength;

3. Chromium-molybdenum. Frames made of chromium and molybdenum alloy. They are used in inexpensive bicycles and represent a kind of golden mean between steel and aluminum – they are not subject to corrosion and oxidation, and also perfectly withstand stress and have high strength;

4. Lightweight frames – titanium, magnesium, carbon fiber – are the lot of professional models of the highest price range. These frames are exceptionally strong, tough and durable, yet virtually weightless. There is only one drawback of such frames: an extremely high price.

Choosing a bike by height and weight

Considering the frame, one cannot fail to note such an important parameter as its height. The proportions here are quite simple: the taller the rider is, the higher the bike frame should be. It is measured in a straight line from the carriage of the pedal assembly to the place where the saddle is attached. There are special formulas for converting a person's height to the length of the frame, but pivot tables have long been compiled and they will not be difficult to find on the Internet.

Pay attention to the weight of the bike frame. The good old formula – 'the heavier – the stronger' is currently practically not used: you can find a great variety of bicycles on sale, the frame of which, with its own minimum weight, can easily cope with dynamic weights up to 180-200 kilograms in equivalent. It is for this reason that the following figures are a kind of reasonable minimum that can be guided by:

1. Classic city bikes and universal bikes should not weigh more than 15-17 kilograms;

2. Road and track models, the main task of which is to develop maximum speed, require a minimum dead weight of the structure. 10-12 kilograms for such bicycles is the optimal value;

3. Mountain bikes, experiencing serious physical activity during operation, require slightly more dead weight. Models are considered optimal, the weight of which is 14-16 kilograms;

Shock absorber system

The comfort and feeling of the rider from the riding process depends on how the shock absorption system matches the operating conditions. The main purpose of the shock absorbers, as well as in a car, is to hide road irregularities that one has to encounter while riding. The main focus here should be on the shock absorbers installed in the front fork of the bike.

1. The most budgetary are classic spring shock absorbers. They are more than enough for driving in the urban cycle, and given the low cost of springs, the vast majority of city and universal bicycles are equipped with this type of shock absorbers. The disadvantage of this system is identical to automobile springs – over time, the metal gets tired and the springs cease to perform their functions;

2. Oil shock absorbers are similar in principle to those in cars. The glass of such a shock absorber is filled with special oil, with the help of which the device operates. More advanced analogs are gas-oil shock absorbers, which allow you to adjust the rigidity of the mechanism and withstand the rider's weight up to 100-120 kilograms;

3. Air shock absorbers are considered the softest and most comfortable, but they are recommended to be used only on flat roads. Off-road rides are able to disable them quickly enough. The most expensive road and track bikes are equipped with these shock absorbers.

Brake system

Any experienced rider will surely say that it's not enough to accelerate quickly, you also need to be able to stop your bike in time. And in this regard, the quality of the braking system plays an important role.

1. Pedal brakes are well known to all of us. They activate braking when the rider presses the pedals in the opposite direction, and the stronger the pressing force, the higher the braking force. Most budget models are equipped with this particular brake system. It cannot be called optimal – in some cases, such a system is capable of lagging and even slipping;

2. V-brakes. They are a special metal v-shaped caliper that grips the wheel rim with compact pads. They work out the tasks assigned to it only if the rim is dry and clean, otherwise the braking efficiency drops dramatically;

3. Disc brakes – unlike v-brakes, they brake the wheel hub itself, which has a positive effect on braking efficiency and eliminates dependence on external factors;

Transmission system design

When choosing a bike, each of us will probably prefer the model that will be equipped with a multi-stage transmission system. With its help, you can change gears and change the force that must be applied to travel at a given speed. When choosing a transmission, attention should be paid to the following factors:

Number of gears. When it comes to city bicycles, for which gear shifting is not a priority, a 5-7 speed transmission is sufficient. In contrast, track and mountain bikes will require a powerful and reliable 'box' capable of 25-30 speeds;

Manufacturer of brake mechanisms and accessories. You should not save here – you should give preference to quality products made by Shimano or SRAM. Shimano Deore and Alivio, SRAM X3 and X5 – these are the names of mechanisms that are considered among the best among riders;

Convenience and ergonomic nuances of the gear knob. The most popular are handles of two basic designs – grip-shift (rotary handle) and lever design. Which of these models to prefer depends only on the preferences of the rider.

Choosing a bike for specific tasks

In order to choose a bike that will become a faithful assistant both in urban conditions and off-road, the characteristics described above are more than enough. And as a kind of collective image, you can cite several examples that are optimal for specific situations.

Choosing a bike for a teenager

Teenage bikes are a cross between kids' models and full adult bikes. Preference should be given to models with an aluminum or chrome-nickel frame, equipped with wheels with a diameter of 20-24 inches, V-brakes and Shimano transmission.

Choosing a bike for a man

Bicycles for adult men are best chosen with an eye on the operating conditions, as well as the budget available to the buyer. The so-called All-round MTB will probably be the best option for buying, the supporting element of which will be a lightweight aluminum or chrome-nickel frame. The braking system should be preferred to the disc type, the drivetrain should be of the same quality – the Shimano Deore and Alivio models, SRAM X3 and X5 are among the best.

Choosing a bike for a woman

Nowadays the appearance of the so-called 'ladies' bikes is quite different from all other bikes. First of all, the upper crossbar of the frame in such models is either absent, or is shifted as far down as possible. Secondly, bicycles for women are much lower in weight, which directly affects the ease of use. Only fairly high requirements for the type of braking system and transmission remain unchanged – you should choose those bicycles that are equipped with exclusively high-quality mechanisms from well-known manufacturers.

And finally, it is necessary to remind once again that the above requirements are universal and are suitable for choosing bicycles of any design and type. The latter is chosen solely from the operating conditions and the needs of a particular buyer: there is no point in buying a mountain bike for urban use, and the classic road model will be useless on off-road and rough terrain.

In the following articles, our experts will tell you how to choose a bike for the city, the secrets of choosing a bike for a triathlon and the peculiarities of choosing a bike by height.

Bike selection video

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.