19 types of bicycles and their uses

 Hi guys,

I'd like to feature something a little different for this edition.

Let's talk about types of bicycles and their uses.

In our list today, we will feature 19 bike types and provide basic details about them.

I know you would be curious to know about the types of bicycles and what their uses are.

After reading this edition you will have a better idea of different types of bikes, their names, and their uses.

Bicycle's background.

The earliest record showed the unveiling of a bicycle in 1500 AD and it is attributed to  Gian Giacomo Caprotti. He was a pupil of Leonardo da Vinci.

In 1817 Baron Karl von Drais invented what he called the running machine. Just like a modern bike but without paddles and chains. In 1819 the British got the idea from Germany and made an improved model and started selling it. The public then nicked named it the hobby horse.

From the 1820s to the 1850s more wheels were added to the bicycle. In 1830 the first mechanically propelled two-wheel vehicle was built by a Scottish blacksmith maned  Kirkpatrick Macmillan.

In 1890, the first safety bike was made, changing the public's perception of bicycles as man's toys into an everyday machine that women can use. 

In the 20th century, the derailleur was made in France, and in 1930  European racing organizations allow racers to use gearing. Also,  In Word Word 2, multiple-speed bikes were used by the militaries.

In the 21st century, bicycles continue to evolve especially the frame. They continue to get lighter without compromising their strength.

The first bicycle to be unveiled in 1500AD was called the running machine 

                         1. Road Bikes 

Bicycle Type: Road bike 
Use:  Design to ride on the road 
Wheels & tires: Skinny  tires
                               Handlebars:    Drop handle bare that curve downwards.
            Track types:      On paved roads and smooth surfaces

  

2. Mountain bike 

Bicycle Type: Mountain bike  

Use: Mountains and off-road trails 

Wheels & tires: Knobby tires. Some have front and back suspensions.

handlebars: Flat and wide handlebars.

Track types: Off-roads and mountain trails

3. Commuter bike

Bicycle Type: Hybrid/commuter bike 

Use: Commuting, getting around town, and sometimes can be modified and used for off-road.

Wheels & tires: Slicker and narrower tires but sometimes the tires can be changed to off-road tires.

Handlebars: Flat

Track types: Towns and off-road 

                     4. Gravel bike 

Bicycle Type: Gravel bike  

Use:  On and off-road trails 

Wheels & tires: Multiples tire sizes 

Handlebars: Drop handlebar

Track types: On and off-road, including gravels 

5. Folding bike 

Bicycle Type: Folding  bike  

Use:  Commuting, can be folded and taken on the train, etc. 

Wheels & tires: Small sizes

handlebars: Flat and short

Track types: On and off-road

6. Cross bike 

Bicycle Type: Cross bike 

Use:  Can be used on a combination of pavement, unpaved trails, gravel, and grass

Wheels & tires: A little wide

Handlebars: Drop handlebar 

Track types: On and off-road

7. Touring bikes 

Bicycle Type: Touring bike 

Use: Design for pavement and long-distance rides. They have all the necessary bolts and spaces for mounting cargo racks and fenders.

wheels & tires: Skinny wheels

Handlebars: Drop handlebar 

Track types: On the pavements

8. Triathlon/Time Trail Bikes 

Bicycle Type: Triathlon 

Use: Road bikes with special design to maximize their aerodynamic properties

                          Wheels & tires: Skinny

Handlebars: Special aerodynamic design

Track types: On race tracks and pavements

9. Fitness bike 

Bicycle Type: Fitness bike 

Use: Use for multiple purposes like commuting and touring. They have space for mounting racks and fenders 

                                      Wheels & tires: Space for bigger tires 

Handlebars: Flat handlebars

Track types: Efficient on paved but can be fitted with bigger tires for unpaved

 

10. Fix gear bike 

Bicycle Type: Fix gear bike 

Use: Designed to be ridden on a velodrome. It is a bank oval track, especially for bike racing. 

                                Wheels & tires: Skinny  

Handlebars: Drop handlebars

Track types: On the race track but can be used also on pavements for commuting  

11. Hybrid bikes 

Bicycle Type: Hybrid bike 

Use: Good for casual riding around the neighborhood, bike paths, short-distance commuting, and errands around town.

                                Wheels & tires: Medium-width with a semi-smooth tread 

Handlebars: upright handlebar.

Track types:  Ideal for paved or unpaved bike trails.

12. Dual sport bike 

Bicycle Type: Dual -sport-bike 

Use:  Riders to experience  multi-surface versatility and a more aggressive style and riding position

                         wheels & tires: Wider tires

handlebars: Flat or upright handlebar.

Track types: Good commuter bikes, and are also good for touring on unpaved trails.

13. Cruiser bikes 

Bicycle Type: Cruiser bikes 

Use:  Design for casual riding, have a very comfortable, upright riding position, and a large, comfortable seat.

               Wheels & tires:   Wide "balloon" tires,

Handlebars:  Upright handlebar, and can be swept back 

Track types: Short-distance commuting and errands.

14. Flat-foot commute bike 

Bicycle Type: Flat-foot commute bike  

Use: Very similar to a cruiser bike but allows low seat riding so your foot can be on the ground.

                  Wheels & tires:   Wide 

Handlebars:  Upright handlebar, and can be swept back 

Track types: Short-distance commuting and errands.

15. city bike 

Bicycle Type: City bike  

Use: Use quite well for riding and commuting in a city. The bike has characteristics of both a hybrid bike and a cruiser bike.

                                                 They have some special features

• Fenders
• Chain guard
• Skirt guard on the rear wheel

                                   Wheels & tires: Wheel size of a hybrid bike. 

Handlebars:  Flat handlebar 

                          Track types: On pavements and in urban centers.

                                      16. BMX bike 

Bicycle Type: BMX bike  

                 Use: Kids bikes but can be used by adults to perform various tricks 

                                               wheels & tires:   Wide 

Handlebars:  Upright handlebar, and can be swept back 

                                                    Track types: On pavements.

                                  17.  Recumbent bike 

Bicycle Type: Recumbent bike  

                  Use: For comfort ride. Difficult to transport and ride uphill.

                        Wheels & tires:   Different sizes 

Handlebars:  Upright handlebar, and can be swept back 

                                      Track types: On pavements.

                                  18.    Tandem bike 

Bicycle Type: Tandem bike   

 Use: The bikes are designed for two and can be ridden on various tracks. They come in all styles  of cruiser tandems and hybrid tandems

                                       Wheels & tires:  Medium size

                                    Handlebars: Flat handlebars 

Track types: Bike path or boardwalk, off-road mountain bike tandems, and high-performance road racing

                                                19.  Adult Tricycles 

Bicycle Type: Adult Tricycles 

 Use: Ideal for old folks and those with special needs.  Also good for industrial warehouses.                                                            

                                    Wheels & tires:  Medium size and a little wide

                                        Handlebars: Upright

                                    Track types: Pavements.