HOW TO CYCLE
Let’s begin with assuming you already know how to ride a bike. Are you interested in learning about long distance cycling or about Mountain Biking? Either way be sure to research the different types of bikes before making your choice/purchase: Mountain and road bikes each have over five different styles/varieties:
NOTE: Simplified abbreviations of certain bikes will appear next to the name in parenthesis.
ROAD BIKES:
Road bicycles are designed for traveling at a constant velocity on paved roads.
Touring bicycles are designed for bicycle touring and long journeys. They are durable and comfortable, capable of transporting baggage, and have a wide gear range.
Randonneur or Audax bicycles are designed for randonnées or brevet rides, and fall in between racing bicycles and those intended for touring in terms of frame geometry and weight.
Hybrid bicycles are a compromise between the mountain and racing style bicycles (which replaced European-style utility bikes throughout North America in the early nineties) That consist of a light frame, medium gauge wheels, and derailleur gearing featuring “touring” handlebars with a curved or straight back which allows for more comfortable consistent upright riding.
MOUNTAIN BIKE CATEGORIES:
- Trekking bike: a hybrid with all accessories necessary for bicycle touring: mudguards, pannier rack, lights etc.
- Cross Country (XC) is biking for extensive periods of time through a variety of diverse terrain that ranges from sharp inclines through loose dirt and mud to a graceful yet accelerated descent on a one bike trail. Regular XC bikes usually have two to four inches of suspension in the front with steep head tube angles (around 75 degrees) which generally provide faster, more accurate and responsive handling. So if your preference is the reward of a smooth speedy descent earned by a steady gradual incline then I would definitely recommend Cross Country for your biking adventures. bikes are usually lightweight with 2″-4″ of front suspension and steep head-tube angles for easier handling.
- Cross Country Racing Bikes (XCR) have been developed to maintain speed, agile control, and a prompt increase in acceleration. These bikes (like most XC bikes) are most commonly built with a lightweight frame usually constructed of carbon graphite (carbon-fiber) or some sort of aluminum alloy. Most Cross Country racing bikes in full suspension keep the suspension close to 100 mm yet in another category we have what is referred to as a “hardtail” which typically means that suspension is only present in the front of the bike.
- Four Cross (FX) would be defined as BMX racing in the mountains. The idea would be to race on a smoothed-over dirt track usually with four or more racers. If you like riding downhill, but don’t feel up to the task of handling obstacles then this might be a good choice. FX bikes have the most suspension out of all the bikes due to the high drops and hard landings it has to cope with. Having a slightly steeper head-tube angle than DH bikes gives FX bikes better control.
- Dirt Jumping (DJ) This bike is a lot like the BMX in that you go maneuver big jumps. This category of bikes is also useful when it comes to urban/street biking; it allows you to maneuver down steps as well as jumping off of high drop ledges. DJ bikes are typically built with a low frame and small front suspension making the response a bit stiff. So to wrap up; if messing around on your bike (dirt or urban) then this would most likely be the right bike for you.
- Down Hill (DH) riding is basically one hundred percent about speed. DH bikes most commonly come equipped with disk breaks (hydraulic or not), suspension ranging from eight to ten inches and a really slack head tube angle. DH biking is dangerous and difficult to master due to sudden slope increases, sheer speed (over sixty miles per hour!) and not to mention how often you’re likely to come across increasingly narrow single track trails that could likely end in a large jump or sudden drop at its end.
- Free Ride (FR) is basically a mix of Down Hill and Dirt Jumping. Many FR places/tracks are typically located at downhill courses. FR consists of but is not limited to; maneuvering over/around man-made obstacles and dropping off of high ledges/cliffs. (Food for thought: professionals ride jumps off of cliffs eighty feet or higher!) So if your fun is labeled dangerous then you might find this style suitable to you.
- All Mountain (AM) is a mountain bike model crossed between the Cross Country, Dirt Jumping and Downhill bikes. Essentially it’s designed to combine ascending/descending abilities yet emphasizing more on the dexterity of your descent. Suspension for these bikes is usually around four to six inches (having been built for more aggressive terrain) with slack head tube angles and usually includes a pair of hydraulic disk brakes.
The most common terrain preferred for this type of bike is near limitless, ranging from uphill to downhill over both smooth and rough trails (or no trail at all!) that might include but are not limited to: jumps, drop offs and powerslides. If your interests lie with the thrill of descent while still wishing to maintain climbing capability then AM is most likely what you’re looking for.
Condition your body. Essential for this kind of biking are a strong core (the mid-region of your body), as well as solid thigh muscles, glutes, as well upper-back and upper-arm muscles.
Advance your conditioning by participating in spinning classes. This is excellent preparation.
This article written by Matt Cromar
