Riders can choose from either a fixed gear or a freestyle style. Both styles have similar components including a chain guide, chain ring, a gear head, a sprocket, and brakes. The main difference between the two is that the freestyle designs use smaller and lighter aluminum wheels and are used mainly for cross country racing and can be faster than a fixed gear bike.
Some advantages of using a fixed gear bike over a freestyle style bike is that the bike will last longer and can be considered as a quality bike. Also, the pedaling rhythm of a fixed gear bike can be changed by using pedals. In freestyle bike riding, the only way to change the pedaling rhythm is to stop the bike and take your foot off the pedal. However, in a fixed gear bike the gears can be changed manually.
Bikes such as these are used for cross country racing and can be quite powerful and fast. Most of them will have steel rims with titanium chains. These bikes also tend to have a shorter top tube and a lower bottom bracket which allows for a narrow wheel base. This type of bike also tends to have a lot of stiffness in the suspension system and is considered very stiff. It is very rare that you would find a freestyle mountain bike that has a frame made from carbon.
What is a fixed gear bike also means that it does not have any freestyle ability built into it. Most of the time when people are looking for a bike they are looking for one that will allow them to go all day long, and have maximum performance. As stated above, these bikes tend to have less suspension and much less stiffness than their free ride brothers.
One great thing about this type of bike is that many companies make them and even offer them in various racing styles. The most popular brand of these bikes is the Specialized brand. Other well known names of this kind of bike is the Giant and Schwinn products line. In addition, many local bicycle shops sell them as well. What is a fixed gear bike, may not be what you were thinking when you first heard about it.
What is a cruiser bike?
A cruiser bike, sometimes called a beach bike or super pocket bike, is basically a bike that tends to combine lightweight tires, a very simple frame, a single speed drivetrain, and very simple steel construction. They are very popular with surfers and other outdoor recreation enthusiasts for good reason – they’re small, light, and easy to repair when necessary. Unfortunately, not many cruisers are very good values, and some of them are downright unsafe. To help you choose the best cruiser bike for your needs, let’s look at a few of the common mistakes people make.
One of the most common mistakes people make when buying a cruiser bike is to purchase a bike with handlebars that are too narrow. This is especially true of people who opt for economy bikes, because the frames are typically aluminum, and therefore have narrow bars and a shallow tire profile. When a handlebar gets narrow, the angle it offers to steering turns becomes drastically reduced. Not only does it decrease your riding efficiency, but it makes it very hard to keep straight when riding. In addition, wide handlebars also make it very hard to handle high speeds; this is particularly true of coasting. While most high speed cruisers have relatively narrow bars and a shallow tread pattern, even some low speed cruisers can have handlebars that are wider than 29er wheels.
Another common mistake is to purchase a bike with too much freewheel, or to buy too many gears. You can get a cruiser bike with just one gear, and it will be heavier and clumsier, but it’s a lot easier to control. But when you add more than one gear, it gets harder to pedal with precision, which can lead to difficulty getting the bike up to a speed that’s acceptable for your skill level. Even worse, on a fast downhill grade, extra gear makes it harder to catch up to a rider who has sped up; in this case, a lower top tube and a simpler crank would be a better solution. Gears also make a bike more aerodynamic, but it can become very hard to shift.
On the other hand, there are some very popular and highly functional road bikes with cruiser style handlebars, which feature deep sidecuttings and deep wheel wells. These bikes have stiffer suspension and tires, but they also have bigger wheels with less weight. This makes them very stable, easy to cruise on, but they can also be speedy. Most of these types of bikes have been designed with a relaxed riding position in mind, so riders don’t feel as confined by their pedals.
Probably the best advice for riders looking for what is a cruiser bike is to shop carefully. There are so many different options available, it’s hard to know what will work well for you. Some people prefer stiffness, while others want more agility. Some people prefer comfortable seats, while others want something heavier and stronger. Whatever your style, there are options out there that will suit your needs.
Another thing that riders can consider is their body type and riding height. For example, if riders are used to riding on steep hills and climbs, a downhill model may not be the best choice. It may be better to try a downhill cruiser bike frame on a flat as a test to see how it works. As far as your body type, some riders find that taller frames work better while others find that shorter frames provide a better fit.