so many bike types - which is which?

tsp <[email hidden]> wrote:

: the categories are endless... how are these bikes classified? i've always saw bikes as either
: mountain--beefy, rugged, durable, or road--thin, light, fast.

Whenever they see a new customer segment, the marketing comes up with a new trendy concept :-)

: i've seen some bikes with half mountain bike componentry (deore front derailer, for etc) and road
: componentry (105 rear derailer)... etc... why would they come like that?

On my trike I have road front for higher gears but mountain rear derailleur for wider gear range.

: i assume that TT bikes are for ultimate speed.. plain and simple... but wouldn't triathlon racers
: want the same thing??

In upright racing there are detailed rules about what you can ride in an event. TT and triathlon
bikes might be illegitimate in the other sport.

: i think the parts for cyclo bikes were mainly road stuff, with knobby mountain tires... wouldnt
: that be counter intuitive? similar to having a mountain bike with slick tires... or if you were to
: do a bit of both (pavement + dirt riding), then would you want the former or latter?

A selection of a certain component makes your bike fit for a certain condition. Cyclo bikes are for
going fast on hilly dirt, slick-equipped MTBs work better (?) for urban commuting.

: lastly, the reason for my interest is because i might replace my first "real" bike. its a mountain
: hardtail. i put on some 1.3" semi slicks because i was primarily commuting to/from school. after
: realizing that i will rarely go on weekend trails, i wonder if another bike would be suitable for
: me. i ride a few miles to and from school each day... 5-10 miles for chores/errandas...and 15-30
: miles on weekend rides with friends. as it is right now, i really like the feel of my mountain
: bike alot..perhaps it is because of familiary of mountain frames as a kid? maybe there is
: something even more suitable for me... an "urban" or "commuter" bike?

Why replace it if it's good? Just get the accessories you need like lights etc. If you want much
more speed you could consider a road bike or a recumbent as a secondary bike.

--
Risto Varanka | helsinki.fihpv.htmlOpen ↗ varis at no spam please iki fi

tsp said:

just looking around at marin and trek's webpage alone, i've found cyclocross, hybrid, city, urban,
ALP ("performance of road bike w/ positioning of mountain bike"😉, road, time trial, triathlon,
hybrid performance, hybrid performance, touring, road comfort, etc etc etc

the categories are endless... how are these bikes classified? i've always saw bikes as either
mountain--beefy, rugged, durable, or road--thin, light, fast.

i've seen some bikes with half mountain bike componentry (deore front derailer, for etc) and road
componentry (105 rear derailer)... etc... why would they come like that?

i assume that TT bikes are for ultimate speed.. plain and simple... but wouldn't triathlon racers
want the same thing??

i think the parts for cyclo bikes were mainly road stuff, with knobby mountain tires... wouldnt
that be counter intuitive? similar to having a mountain bike with slick tires... or if you were to
do a bit of both (pavement + dirt riding), then would you want the former or latter?

if someone could clarify all these bikes and give example of their uses, i'd be grateful.

Do you want someone to write an essay for you? Nice thought...

Quoted message said:

lastly, the reason for my interest is because i might replace my first "real" bike. its a mountain
hardtail. i put on some 1.3" semi slicks because i was primarily commuting to/from school. after
realizing that i will rarely go on weekend trails, i wonder if another bike would be suitable for
me. i ride a few miles to and from school each day... 5-10 miles for chores/errandas...and 15-30
miles on weekend rides with friends. as it is right now, i really like the feel of my mountain bike
alot..perhaps it is because of familiary of mountain frames as a kid? maybe there is something even
more suitable for me... an "urban" or "commuter" bike?

There ARE a lot of bike styles out there. Take a look at any crowded transit station bike rack, you
will see a lot more variety than in the car park. Consider keeping your practical and well liked mtn
bike, and adding something new(er) that strikes your fancy. You might like a fast light street
hybrid or a racing bike or a touring style bike. It's nice to change bikes now and then. They never
fit or feel the same, and changing bikes helps you think about your next acquisition
🙂. In a more practical vein, different bike styles get you thinking
out of the box. You realize you can use a triple chainring on your "racing" bike, or skinny slicks
on your "mountain" bike etc. I mean, if you can find the room, how many bikes are too many anyway?
Regards, Bernie

"tsp" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

just looking around at marin and trek's webpage alone, i've found cyclocross, hybrid, city, urban,
ALP ("performance of road bike w/ positioning of mountain bike"😉, road, time trial, triathlon,
hybrid performance, hybrid performance, touring, road comfort, etc etc etc

the categories are endless... how are these bikes classified? i've always saw bikes as either
mountain--beefy, rugged, durable, or road--thin,

light,

Quoted message said:

fast.

i've seen some bikes with half mountain bike componentry (deore front derailer, for etc) and road
componentry (105 rear derailer)... etc... why would they come like that?

i assume that TT bikes are for ultimate speed.. plain and simple... but wouldn't triathlon racers
want the same thing??

i think the parts for cyclo bikes were mainly road stuff, with knobby mountain tires... wouldnt
that be counter intuitive? similar to having a mountain bike with slick tires... or if you were to
do a bit of both (pavement + dirt riding), then would you want the former or latter?

if someone could clarify all these bikes and give example of their uses,

i'd

Quoted message said:

be grateful.

lastly, the reason for my interest is because i might replace my first "real" bike. its a mountain
hardtail. i put on some 1.3" semi slicks because i was primarily commuting to/from school. after
realizing that i will rarely go on weekend trails, i wonder if another bike would be

suitable

Quoted message said:

for me. i ride a few miles to and from school each day... 5-10 miles for chores/errandas...and
15-30 miles on weekend rides with friends. as it is right now, i really like the feel of my
mountain bike alot..perhaps it is because of familiary of mountain frames as a kid? maybe there is

something

Quoted message said:

even more suitable for me... an "urban" or "commuter" bike?

Some of the terms relate to bikes built for certain types of competition. Some of them relate to a
marketing person's description of the intended use. You should ride some bikes. I started with a
"city" bike which most would term hybrid. It is heavier than a road bike with a more upright riding
position, larger tires and mostly mountain bike hardware. It's really very nice and smooth. Pleasant
to ride. But my riding is all done on country roads around my home, not in a city. I later bought a
road bike and now I hardly ever ride the hybrid. The road bike, as you might expect from the name,
is really better suited to how and where I ride. I wouldn't worry about terminology. Ride bikes and
find what fits your riding habits best. The answer might be the bike you have and like now.

Fred

Mon said:

It's nice to change bikes now and then.

Yeah, I'd been riding the Norco almost exclusively and forgotten how great the Witcomb climbs. The
clipless pedals on it now make it a nuisance to use for my regular utility runs to Kits and
downtown. The rims still need replacement so I've been scared to ride it but it's the next best all
around bike I've got.

The average speed, after a week of running around, is one KmH faster than the mountain bike with
slicks that I usually ride to the same destinations. I really appreciated the drop bars on those
windy days last week.
--
zk

Zoot Katz said:

Mon said:

It's nice to change bikes now and then.

Yeah, I'd been riding the Norco almost exclusively and forgotten how great the Witcomb climbs. The
clipless pedals on it now make it a nuisance to use for my regular utility runs to Kits and
downtown. The rims still need replacement so I've been scared to ride it but it's the next best all
around bike I've got.

The average speed, after a week of running around, is one KmH faster than the mountain bike with
slicks that I usually ride to the same destinations. I really appreciated the drop bars on those
windy days last week.

Eggzackery My old rigid mtb (now a commuter) is heavy but smooth and stable, climbs slowly like a
determined old goat, and downhills safely and fast as I want to go; the Marin (when not loaded with
commuter bags etc) just jumps down the street when I'm feeling great. Each has it's moments. I love
the Marin when I am in the mood for speed and using Kingsway instead of the routes on the Vancouver
cycling map and appreciate the old Norco very much in January dark and rainy, commuting home in the
N of 49th winter evenings. You ride a Witcomb, eh? Will look it up. The variety out there is
endless... Best regards, Bernie

tsp <[email hidden]> scribed in <[email hidden]>:

Quoted message said:

lastly, the reason for my interest is because i might replace my first "real" bike. its a mountain
hardtail. i put on some 1.3" semi slicks because i was primarily commuting to/from school. after
realizing that i will rarely go on weekend trails, i wonder

what about just having a second set of rims with knobblies on for those rare trail rides? same bike,
quick change tyres

swarf, steam and wind

--
David Forsyth -:- the email address is real /"\ terrapin.ru.ac.zawelcome.htmlOpen ↗ \
/ ASCII Ribbon campaign against HTML E-Mail > - - - - - - -> X If you receive email saying
"Send this to everyone you know," / \ PLEASE pretend you don't know me.

tsp said:

just looking around at marin and trek's webpage alone, i've found cyclocross, hybrid, city, urban,
ALP ("performance of road bike w/ positioning of mountain bike"😉, road, time trial, triathlon,
hybrid performance, hybrid performance, touring, road comfort, etc etc etc

Quoted message said:

the categories are endless... how are these bikes classified? i've always saw bikes as either
mountain--beefy, rugged, durable, or road--thin, light, fast.

Most of the categories are just marketing speak. A road bike today seems to mean a racing bike, and
most bikes on the market seem to resemble either a road bike or a mountain bike. Hybrids are, as the
name suggests, hybrids between these two main types. They always have a flat handlebar, but other
than that, some are much closer to a road bike than a mountain bike. At least in Europe you can see
"fitness bikes" on the market, which are essentially hybrids with fancy wheels and the narrow, hard
tyres of a racing bike. "Road comfort" is most likely a road bike with the handlebar set higher and
perhaps fatter tyres.

Quoted message said:

i've seen some bikes with half mountain bike componentry (deore front derailer, for etc) and road
componentry (105 rear derailer)... etc... why would they come like that?

It can make sense for hybrids, I guess, as they are a cross between a mountain bike and a road bike
by definition. Hybrids must use the shift and brake levers of mountain bikes because of the flat
handlebar, but the drivetrain of a road bike might be more suitable for the intended use.

Quoted message said:

i assume that TT bikes are for ultimate speed.. plain and simple... but wouldn't triathlon racers
want the same thing??

The differences between TT bikes used by cyclists and the bikes used by triathletes are partly
explained by rules. In road racing the rules for TT bikes are more strict and the most advanced
triathlon bikes would be illegal. In general, competition rules have a significant effect on the
bikes you see on the market.

Quoted message said:

i think the parts for cyclo bikes were mainly road stuff, with knobby mountain tires... wouldnt
that be counter intuitive? similar to having a mountain bike with slick tires... or if you were to
do a bit of both (pavement + dirt riding), then would you want the former or latter?

That's a good question. I think both hard-tail mountain bikes and cyclocross bikes make great
all-around bikes. The relevant difference is the handlebar shape. Cyclocross bikes might seem
awkward in the age of mountain bikes, but their existence is explained by a long (racing) tradition
that predates mountain bikes.

-as

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

just looking around at marin and trek's webpage alone, i've found cyclocross, hybrid, city, urban,
ALP ("performance of road bike w/ positioning of mountain bike"😉, road, time trial, triathlon,
hybrid performance, hybrid performance, touring, road comfort, etc etc etc

the categories are endless... how are these bikes classified? i've always saw bikes as either
mountain--beefy, rugged, durable, or road--thin, light, fast.

i've seen some bikes with half mountain bike componentry (deore front derailer, for etc) and road
componentry (105 rear derailer)... etc... why would they come like that?

Usually to give a different range of gears. My Fuji Touring has Tiagra shifters and front der, and a
Deore (MTB) rear der because of the very wide range rear cluster: 11-32. The road der's usually
can't handle that kind of range on the rear.

Quoted message said:

i assume that TT bikes are for ultimate speed.. plain and simple... but wouldn't triathlon racers
want the same thing??

For most manufacturers, TT and triathlon bikes are usually the same ones, though sometimes
tirathlon bikes have higher gears because those guys don't like to turn quite the cadences that
road bikers do.

Quoted message said:

i think the parts for cyclo bikes were mainly road stuff, with knobby mountain tires... wouldnt
that be counter intuitive? similar to having a mountain bike with slick tires... or if you were to
do a bit of both (pavement + dirt riding), then would you want the former or latter?

Cyclocross seems to be for smooth path off-road riding, so it doesn't need the knobbies or
the suspension of a true MTB, and the speeds are typically higher, so it has more road
bike-like gearing.

Quoted message said:

if someone could clarify all these bikes and give example of their uses, i'd be grateful.

lastly, the reason for my interest is because i might replace my first "real" bike. its a mountain
hardtail. i put on some 1.3" semi slicks because i was primarily commuting to/from school. after
realizing that i will rarely go on weekend trails, i wonder if another bike would be suitable for
me. i ride a few miles to and from school each day... 5-10 miles for chores/errandas...and 15-30
miles on weekend rides with friends. as it is right now, i really like the feel of my mountain
bike alot..perhaps it is because of familiary of mountain frames as a kid? maybe there is
something even more suitable for me... an "urban" or "commuter" bike?

That's basically what you made when you put slicks on a MTB. Put on drop handlebars, and you'll have
a cross bike.

--
Dave Kerber Fight spam: remove the ns_ from the return address before replying!

REAL programmers write self-modifying code.

David Kerber ns_dkerber@ns_ids.net said:

For most manufacturers, TT and triathlon bikes are usually the same ones, though sometimes
tirathlon bikes have higher gears because those guys don't like to turn quite the cadences that
road bikers do.

Also, Tri-bikes commonly have steeper seat tube angles and other geometry differences (for different
muscle utilization).
--
Rick Onanian

yeah, of course, ultimately it comes down to what feels best. but before i got this bike, i thought
having a very very low seat positition felt good enough..before i was enlightened to its
inefficiency 😄

so yes i do like my current bike, but i want to know if theres something even more properly
suited for me 😄

thanks all so far

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Why replace it if it's good? Just get the accessories you need like lights etc. If you want much
more speed you could consider a road bike or a recumbent as a secondary bike.

--
Risto Varanka | helsinki.fihpv.htmlOpen ↗ varis at no spam please iki fi