so many bike types - which is which?

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.




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?

tsp 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 | http://www.helsinki.fi/~rvaranka/hpv/hpv.html
varis at no spam please iki fi

tsp wrote:

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...


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

Mon, 13 Oct 2003 22:58:24 -0700, ,
Bernie wrote:

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

"tsp" wrote in message
...
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.




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?

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

Zoot Katz wrote:

Mon, 13 Oct 2003 22:58:24 -0700, ,
Bernie wrote:

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 scribed in :

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 /"\
http://terrapin.ru.ac.za/~iwdf/welcome.html \ /
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 wrote:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 , says...
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.


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.


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.


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.

On Tue, 14 Oct 2003 08:01:03 -0400, David Kerber
wrote:
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