Bicycle Types: How to Pick the Best Bike

Many of us love the idea of riding a bike, from our very smallest ages even up to adulthood, riding a bicycle can be fun and a good way to keep fit. Choosing the right bike for you is not such a simple task though, as there are so many things to consider. If you are looking to buy kids bicycles or BMX bicycles in Sri Lanka, there are many vendors who sell these around the island, and the same goes if you are looking for road or city bicycles in Sri Lanka, as these are one of the most popular types.

Bicycle type: When you walk into a bicycle shop the first thing they will ask you is what kind of bike you are looking for. There are numerous types of bikes available for sale, and they will want to know what purpose you will be using the bike in order to see what type will suit you the best.

Here are a few examples of the different types of bikes:

Mountain bikes – For rugged, off-road use, but can be used on the pavement as well.

Trail bikes – For beginner mountain bikers for use on dirt road or trails.

Road/city bikes – Mainly for city use, and riding around on flat roads. These bikes are built for speed. A very popular type of bike is city bicycles in Sri Lanka, due to the high traffic on roads. Most city bicycles in Sri Lanka are widely used by tourists for cruising along the beaches etc as well.

Hybrid bikes – These are a mix between mountain bikes and road bikes, but are not as speedy as road bikes. Ideal for commuting.

Cruising bikes – Used for casual rides such as along beaches or in the park.

BMX bikes – BMX bicycles in Sri Lanka and elsewhere are very popular among teenagers and slightly older boys. They are very durable and hence good for performing jumps and minor stunts, and also for off-road biking.

The right fit: the bicycle you buy should fit your body size. If it is too small or too big for your body size, it will be very uncomfortable riding the bicycle and also hard to control. You must select a bike that suits you, so the bike frame must be the ideal size for your height and your inseam.

Handlebars: The positioning of the handlebars is also very important when buying the right bike for you, so you will need to check if the distance between the seat and the handlebars and its height are a comfortable distance for you.

Gears, suspension, brakes: Different bikes come with different gears, and what you choose again will depend on what purpose you will be using the bike for. If you are hoping to ride on hills and climbs you will need a bicycle with more gears, as opposed to riding on flat surfaces.

With regard to suspension, if you are looking for a mountain or rugged use, you will need one with full or front suspension, as it increases traction and control. Since city Bicycles In Sri Lanka are used for flat roads and surfaces, the suspension may not be included at all.

It’s also a good idea to be familiar with the different types of braking systems that could come on your bike, although you might not really have a choice in the matter.

After choosing the bike of your choice it is always a good idea to actually get on the bike and check if it fits you before buying it. The salesperson at the store will usually be able to adjust the fit of the bike to suit you.

If you can get a test ride on the bike before actually paying for it, it is even better. If you do get the chance to take the bike on a test ride, make sure you check it thoroughly for comfort, ability to handle terrain (depending on the type you choose), and carrying capacity. Most city bicycles in Sri Lanka come with a rack or basket for carrying goods, hence it’s a good idea to check what the carrying capacity is if you intend carrying heavy loads on the bike while you commute.

I'm Jennifer Lawrance. From London, United Kingdom. I'm a freelance article writer.