How To Choose The Right Bicycle For Different Trails
One of the requirements in keeping a healthy mind and body is to practice regular physical activity. Exercise and physical activity come in a plethora of activities, depending on every individual’s preference, such as biking and cycling for an outdoor thrill. Through biking and cycling, you can improve coordination, aerobic and cardiovascular fitness, boost energy, and, most importantly, makes you happier.
While biking and cycling are universal activities meant for everyone, not all bicycles are meant for every type of road or trail. Thus, before purchasing a bicycle, you have to consider choosing the right type according to the trails and terrain.
To give you a comprehensive overview, here’s a rundown of the most common bicycles and which one to choose:
Road Bikes
In terms of paved and smooth roads, road bikes are the absolute option. These bikes are lightweight and support the speed and agility of the rider. Moreover, its “over the handlebar” design ensures that the rider's power will be directly transferred to the bike, and not resisted by the wind.
If your main purpose in purchasing a bicycle is for daily commuting, road bikes are unfortunately not the best choice. Prolonged riding position in road bikes can be tiring and uncomfortable, which will eventually strain the wrists and neck. Still, it can be a good option for short-distance commuting with lighter loads.
Lastly, because of its skinny tires, road bikes won’t stand a chance off-road. It specialises in riding smooth pavements, allowing casual cyclists to enjoy these types of bikes.
Adventure Road Bikes
If you’re fond of exciting adventures, then adventure bicycles equipped with utmost versatility are definitely the ones for you. Also called gravel bikes, all-road bikes, or any-road bikes, these types of bicycles are the newest into the category of road bikes.
Compared to standard road bikes, adventure bicycles have a higher stack height and more relaxed geometrical structure. Sometimes, they also have longer chains, which is helpful in maintaining stability, especially for heavier loads.
Generally, adventure road bikes are perfect for daily commuting and touring. They’re designed to perform on both on-road and off-road conditions. Thus, if you’re someone who commutes daily and goes to biking adventures occasionally, this bicycle combines the best of both worlds.
Mountain Bikes
For rough and unpaved off-road trails, mountain bikes are best for your off-road adventure and experience on rough terrain. These mountain bikes are heavier than road and adventure bikes, have very low gear range, and upright handlebars.
If you’re finding a bike for commuting or conventional touring, consider other options since mountain bikes can be a struggle to carry and walk around.
If fitness and exercise is your main priority, mountain bikes are best for outdoor activities. Some of the best benefits that mountain bikes can offer are:
Improve balance and coordination
Tones the muscles while being easy on the joints
Weight loss and improved metabolism
Reduces stress and improves sleep quality
Increased stamina
Improves ability in riding tougher terrains
Cyclocross Bikes
For a more multipurpose riding than adventure bikes, cyclocross bicycles are curated to traverse terrains with mixed surfaces – gravel, pavements, unpaved trails, and grass. With a tire size between a road bike and a mountain bike, drop handlebar same with ordinary road bikes, and a specially designed brake that prevents the accumulation of mud and dirt, they’re a special type of road bike.
The frame geometry of cyclocross bikes allows the rider to have a more relaxed position crucial for far, no-stop trips. Also, the frame is shorter and can manage to carry a bit of a load, even in rough conditions.
Since cross or cx bikes are proficient in many kinds of surfaces, you won’t have to worry about exploring unfamiliar roads and terrains. If you ever run on unexpected surfaces, you can still manage to get through without struggling with your bicycle.
Folding Bikes
If you’re not too particular with different trails, but need a daily bicycle that you can take anywhere with ease, consider purchasing a folding bike. This type of bike is also beginner-friendly since they have smaller wheels.
These foldable bikes also provide you with the most convenience, especially if you travel often, want to take a bike into a road trip, have small space at home, take a bike into a train or bus, and have no space for safe parking.
However, if you’re opting for a folding bicycle, make sure that the trails are paved and easy to drive. Because of its smaller wheels, it can sometimes be trickier and less efficient to drive, but the practicality and convenience that it can provide totally outweigh those drawbacks.
Key Takeaways
People have various reasons for owning a bike, including fitness requirements, interests in outdoor travel activities, daily travel necessity, and many more. No matter what type of bicycle you’re going to pursue, it’s noteworthy to choose a bicycle that can withstand specific types of trails and terrains to ensure a smooth and hassle-free ride.
