| If you're new to cycling, or are thinking of taking it up | | | | heavier loads than average road bikes, they are also |
| as a hobby then you have to start by choosing | | | | comfortable, as would be expected of a bike meant |
| yourself a bike. If you've gone as far as researching | | | | for long periods of usage. |
| the sort of bike you need then you're likely to have | | | | Utility bikes also fall into the road bikes category. These |
| encountered a lot of jargon and a lot of types of bikes | | | | are what most people would call a standard bicycle, |
| and might feel quite daunted. A good place to start is | | | | meant for commuting, shopping, generally getting about |
| with road bikes, particularly if you live in a town or city. | | | | in a town or city. An amateur cyclist might wish to |
| For the true amateurs, road bikes are simply racing | | | | begin with one of these if planning on using the bicycle |
| bikes known by another name. They're the type that | | | | for day to day tasks. |
| generally has low handle bars and multiple gears, as | | | | Finally, another great suggestion for the beginner cyclist |
| well as narrow, high-pressured tyres and they are | | | | is a hybrid bike. They are designed to be used for both |
| lighter than many types of bike. They are, as the name | | | | recreation and utility purposes. This means that they |
| so conveniently suggests, are primarily meant to be | | | | are great on the roads, for popping to the shops or |
| used on paved roads rather than on mountains like | | | | even for riding to work but that they will also handle |
| off-road bikes. | | | | well on more basic off road routes. They certainly |
| Even amongst road bikes, there are a few different | | | | aren't the type of bike to be conquering mountains |
| types. For example, touring bikes are designed for just | | | | with, but they will manage fine on smoother off road |
| that: road touring. They are robust and can carry | | | | tracks in your local park or countryside. |