What bike to choose for the city and off-road: review, expert advice

Regular cycling increases the body's endurance, trains muscles, improves the psychological state. As a result, a person feels more active and more vigorous, easier to bear the load. And also it is a great way to save on public transport. Not surprisingly, over the past couple of years, cycling has become widely popular. Given the amount of exhaust fumes and the size of traffic jams in major cities, many people today are choosing a bicycle for commuting around town.

Choosing a bicycle for the city

City bicycle is designed for riding on paved surfaces. Most often such models are equipped with pedal brakes, aluminum or carbon frame. There is a trunk, chain protection, the wheels are installed non-removable shields. The landing in such a bike is high. This is specially made for a comfortable ride, so you can look at the shop windows and look around. Experts recommend choosing models with wide and padded seats, equipped with shock absorbers and a spring-loaded seatpost. Wheel diameter should be 26 or 28 inches.

When choosing a bicycle for city travel, you also need to consider its model. On sale are:

• Cruiser bikes - large, bright and stylish bikes. They are distinguished by a massive and heavy frame, wide wheels;
• Chopper bikes - big cruisers;
• Retro-bikes - styled like the old days, with large 28-inch wheels, elegant steel frame, leather handlebars and saddles;
• folding bicycles are mobile and easy to carry in the car;
• trekking or touring bicycles - a hybrid of mountain bike, city bike and road bike. They have high wheels, lightweight and high-quality frame, planetary hub;
• Urban bike - lightweight, minimalist, tough and stylish transport for the city. It is equipped with disc brakes, so it allows you to ride in bad weather;
• fixie - a bicycle without brakes;
• single-split bicycle - a model with one gear.

In addition to traditional models, electric bicycles are excellent for the city. Depending on the battery capacity, the range can be up to 50 km and more. But its main advantage is that the movement can be carried out not only from the battery, but also on its own, pedaling. There are models in which pedaling even recharges the battery. This greatly increases the range.

What bike to choose for off-road?

Experts recommend choosing bicycles for off-road riding with a strong, lightweight and rigid frame. To ride safely and comfortably, bikes should be equipped with good shock absorption, transmission, a wide handlebar (about 710 mm). Also for riding on bumps and bumps suit models with deep tire tread and industrial bearings with protection against dust and moisture. As for wheel diameter, the most common bikes with 26-inch wheels. Models with 29-inch wheels accelerate slower. However, they have better traction and allow you to ride a greater distance for less effort.

For out-of-town trips off-road, experts recommend choosing such models of bicycles:

• Hardtails - lightweight (frame made of aluminum), there is no rear shock absorber;
• mountain MBTs - a universal model, have good shock absorption, a soft front fork, which provides good control on rough roads and comfort for the hands;
• double-suspension - equipped with rear suspension and two shock absorbers, making the ride more comfortable;
• cross country - suitable for riding on uncomplicated natural landscapes and dirt roads. Equipped with a medium-hard fork and medium aggressive tread;
• comfort - equipped with wide wheels, anti-blocking and a shock-absorbing pin hidden under the saddle.

There are also hybrid bikes, which are suitable for mixed trails: both off-road and city. They usually have light and thin wheels, good shock absorption, a stable frame and an aggressive highway handlebar.