Bicycles were introduced in the late 19th century in Europe, and by the early 21st century, more than 1 billion were in existence at a given time. Now in some countries, they 'rule' the streets. Let's go for a ride!
Bicycles Without Battery Are Still The Cleanest
These numbers far exceed the number of cars, both in total and ranked by the number of individual models produced. They are the principal means of transportation in many regions. They also provide a popular form of recreation and have been adapted for children's toys, general fitness, military and police applications, courier services, bicycle racing, and bicycle stunts.
The basic shape and configuration of a typical upright or "safety bicycle" has changed little since the first chain-driven model was developed around 1885. However, many details have been improved, especially since the advent of modern materials and computer-aided design. These have allowed for a proliferation of specialized designs for many types of cycling.
The bicycle's invention has had an enormous effect on society, both in terms of culture and advancing modern industrial methods. Several components that eventually played a key role in automobile development were initially invented for use in the bicycle, including ball bearings, pneumatic tires, chain-driven sprockets, and tension-spoked wheels.
Flying Pigeon is a state-owned Chinese bicycle company based in Tianjin, a direct-controlled municipality in North-eastern China. Since 1950, more than 500 million Flying Pigeon PA-02 bicycles have been made.
Bicycles Without Battery, so Many Choices!
When trying to decide on the best type of bike, think about these questions:
- Who do you ride with?
- What do they ride?
- What have you had in the past that you liked?
- What have you had in the past that you disliked?
- Where would you like to ride your new bike?
If you are buying a bike to ride with a group of friends, buy something similar to what they ride. You will not be able to keep up with road bikes if you are on a mountain bike or cruiser. And a road bike cannot go on the dirt or the sand. If you enjoyed a three-speed as a child, you might find this a fun bike again. If you disliked the road bike you bought a few years ago, perhaps a mountain bike would be better.
Bicycles for on the roads
Road bicycles are designed to be ridden fast on smooth pavement. They have smooth, skinny tires and "drop" handlebars and can be used for on-road racing. They are usually lighter than other types of bicycles. They can be ridden on paved trails, but most people find them uncomfortable and unstable on unpaved trails. Most road bikes cannot carry heavy loads, so they are not very suitable for commuting or touring.
Cyclocross Bicycles
Cyclocross bicycles are a special type of road bike designed to be raced on a mixed surface course (pavement, unpaved trails, gravel, grass). They have a drop handlebar like regular road bikes, but the tires are a little wider for more off-road traction, and they have a different brake style that helps prevent mud buildup in the frame. Cyclocross bicycles are sometimes called 'cross bikes or cx bikes for short.
Touring Bicycles
Touring bicycles are another special type of road bike. They are designed to be ridden on the pavement but are more durable for self-supported long-distance riding. They have all of the necessary mounting bolts for cargo racks and fenders. Although they still have a drop handlebar, they usually have a more relaxed frame design so that the rider is more upright, for more comfort when riding long distances for multiple days at a time. They have a lower gear range than regular road bikes to carry heavy loads up steep hills. They also make good commuter bicycles because of their durability and ability to carry heavy loads.
Adventure Road Bicycles
Adventure Road Bicycles are one of the newest categories of the bicycle. They are sometimes called all-road bikes, any-road bikes, or gravel bikes and are the most versatile sub-category of a road bike. Similar to cyclocross bikes, they have drop handlebars and the ability to use wider tires. The frame geometry is longer and more upright than a cyclocross bike, making these bikes more suitable for long days in the saddle, light touring, and commuting.
Triathlon/Time Trial Bicycles
Triathlon/Time Trial Bicycles are road bikes with a special design that maximizes their aerodynamic properties. The handlebars are also a special aerodynamic design that allows you to crouch forward while riding to minimize the wind resistance against your body. Triathlon/time trial races usually have staggered starts, where each racer starts on his/her own; these bicycles are usually not allowed to be used in mass-start races.
Fitness Bicycles
Fitness Bicycles have most of the advantages of regular road bikes--lightweight frames and relatively narrow tires for efficiency on the pavement--with a flat or upright handlebar. These bikes are designed for people who want a light, high-performance bike but don't like the drop-handlebar riding position of a regular road bike. These bicycles are sometimes called flat-bar road bikes or performance hybrid bikes. Most of them can accept somewhat wider tires to make them suitable for use on unpaved trails. They usually have the ability to mount cargo racks and fenders, which makes them good commuter bikes.
Bicycle inventions
Bicycles Without Battery: We Just Forgot They Are Cleanest. New bicycle inventions that are on another level
Track/Fixed-Gear Bicycles
Track/Fixed-Gear Bicycles or fixies are designed to be ridden on a velodrome, a banked oval track specifically for bicycle racing. However, some commuters prefer track bikes due to their simple design, which makes them easy to maintain. They have a single gear that does not provide the ability to coast, so if the bike is moving, your feet must be pedaling. Some riders prefer not to have brakes for even more simplicity since the fixed-gear mechanism can act as a brake. Most track bikes have drop handlebars, but some riders outfit theirs with flat or upright handlebars.
Mountain Bicycles
Mountain Bicycles are designed to ride rough off-road trails. They have flat or upright handlebars and a shallow gear range for pedaling up steep trails. Most mountain bikes have some shock absorbers or suspension. Mountain bikes with front suspension only are called hardtails; mountain bikes with both front and rear suspension are called full-suspension bikes or duallies. Mountain bikes with no suspension are called rigid. Mountain bikes can be outfitted touring or commuting bikes, although they would not be as light or efficient as traditional touring or commuting bikes. Fat bikes, with their extensive tires, are included in the mountain bike category.
Hybrid Bicycles
Hybrid Bicycles were originally conceived to provide the advantages of both road bikes and mountain bikes. Their large, padded seats and upright handlebars provide a comfortable riding position. They are best for casual riding around the neighborhood or bike paths, short-distance commuting, and errands around town. They can be ridden on paved roads but are not as lightweight or efficient as road bikes. They are ideal for paved or unpaved bike trails but are not appropriate for rough off-road mountain bike trails. The tires are usually a medium-width with a semi-smooth tread to provide a fairly smooth ride on the pavement but enough grip and cushion on unpaved trails. Most hybrid bikes have front suspension to smooth out small bumps, but some are fully rigid. Hybrid bikes also can be referred to as cross bikes, but that term is not used anymore to avoid confusion with cyclocross bikes (see above).
Dual-Sport Bicycles
Dual-Sport Bicycles are a sub-category of hybrid bikes oriented towards riders who want a hybrid bike's multi-surface versatility but want a little more aggressive style and riding position. They have a flat or upright handlebar, although not as upright as regular hybrid bikes; they usually have a smaller, more performance-oriented seat than a large comfortable seat. Most have front suspension. Dual-sport bikes make good commuter bikes and are also good for touring on unpaved trails.
Cruiser Bicycles
Cruiser Bicycles are similar to hybrid bikes in that they are designed for casual riding and have a very comfortable, upright riding position and a large, comfortable seat. Cruisers usually have wide "balloon" tires and handlebars that are even more upright, and in some cases, swept-back compared to hybrid bikes. Most cruiser bikes are single-speed or 3-speed and have the old-fashioned coaster brake (where you pedal backward to stop). They can be used for short-distance commuting and errands, as long as your route is fairly flat. Some cruiser bike manufacturers make a wide array of colorful models available to suit any bike aficionado's fashion tastes.
Flat-Foot Comfort Bicycles
Flat-Foot Comfort Bicycles are a sub-category of cruiser bikes. They have an elongated frame design that pushes the pedals a few inches forward of the seat. This allows you to ride with the seat low enough to place your feet flat on the ground when you are stopped, but you still get the full extension of your legs while pedaling. All Electra Bicycle Company bikes have flat-foot technology; some other manufacturers have created their own flat-foot designs.
City Bicycles
The term "city bike" doesn't really refer to a specific category of bikes; it's more of a general descriptive term. They might also be called "commuter" or "urban" bikes, although many of the bikes listed on this page can be used quite well to ride and commute in a city. However, there is a certain type of bike that some people have in mind when they use the term "city bike." This bike has characteristics of both a hybrid bike and a cruiser bike--usually the upright riding position of a cruiser, but the wheel size of a hybrid bike.
A city bike might also have some or all of these features that make it more amenable to riding in regular clothes, as opposed to cycling-specific clothing:
- Fenders
- CChainguardSkirt guard on the rear wheel
A city bike might also have an internally-geared rear hub for ease of use and maintenance and a built-in generator and lights for safety when riding after dark. These bikes are sometimes called "Dutch bikes" because they resemble Amsterdam's everyday bikes and other bike-friendly European cities.
Recommended: The Bicycle Metropolis: Why Still Investing In Car Parking?
BMX Bicycles
BMX Bicycles are popular with kids because of their small size, but they are used by adults and kids alike for various trick and stunt riding styles.
Folding Bicycles
Folding Bicycles are ideal for those who need to travel by their bike, want a bike to keep on their boat or plane, or live in small apartments and don't have a lot of storage space. They're also good for commuters who need to take their bike on a bus or train for part of their commute or who don't have a safe place to park their bike at work. Most folding bikes have smaller wheels, making the bike a little less efficient and trickier to handle than a standard bike, but most folding bike fans feel the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.
Recumbent Bicycles
Recumbent Bicycles have a long, low design and a full-size seat with a backrest. Recumbents are available in two-wheel and three-wheel designs. Many recumbent riders feel that they are the most comfortable option available for bicycling. However, they are more difficult to pedal up hills, and they can be a challenge to carry from one place to another in a motor vehicle.
Tandem Bicycles
Tandem Bicycles are "bicycles built for two." They come in all styles, from cruiser tandems and hybrid tandems for the bike path or boardwalk, off-road mountain bike tandems, and high-performance road racing tandems.
Adult Tricycles
Adult Trikes are ideal for older folks who still want to get around under their own power or those with balance issues or other special needs. They are also popular in environmentally-conscious industrial/warehouse applications.
Source Century Cycles. Cover photo by Maria Soledad
Before you go!
Recommended: Sustainable Bicycle From Recycled Plastic. Great!
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