In cities right around Australia, bicycles are slowly taking over the streets. And for good reason.  Transport is free, they require no fuel, they don’t cost a cent for parking, are environmentally friendly, and help you get fit at the same time. Plus, they are heaps of fun to ride.

If you’re looking to join the cycling revolution you’ll need to choose the right bike for you.

Depending on whether you plan to ride for fun or fitness, commuting or sport, there is a bike to suit you.

Yellow Pages spoke to specialist cycle shop Port Melbourne Cycles to get the lowdown on the different types of bikes available.

Sizing

There are couple of important considerations before you rush out to buy a new bike. The most important is sizing.  It’s vital to get the right-sized bike for your body. The wrong sized bike doesn’t just make for an uncomfortable ride – it can make you unbalanced, which is dangerous on the road.  

Buying a bike online is all very well if you want to save money, but there’s nothing like heading to a bike shop to test ride a bike before purchase. You can find a list of specialised bike retailers here. But getting the right sized frame is only the first step. Your local bike shop should adjust the bike to suit your body. This might mean adjusting the seat or even swapping out the handlebars.

The next consideration is what type of riding you plan to do. Try not to choose a bike that does everything – you are better off spending your money on the right type of bike for the conditions you’ll usually be riding in. After all, you can always buy another bike.

The Cannondale Synapse is an endurance-orientated road bike with electronic gear shifting and a carbon fibre frame. Photo: Port Melbourne Cycles

Road bikes

If you’re after a bike for on-road fitness, long distance and competitions a road bike is your best option. Frames range in price from incredibly light (and expensive) carbon which is ideal for those doing endurance or competitive riding, to aluminium, a light, stiff frame for those on a budget.

The components (brakes and gears) of a road bike are also determined by cost. A higher cost of components means lighter weight, and better performance. Another thing to ask your salesperson about are the wheels – which have a major effect on a road bike’s performance. Basically, the lighter the wheel, the faster, and more responsive the ride.

The Focus Mares AX is a cyclocross bike for both road and mountain biking. It has disc brakes and road endurance geometry.Photo: Port Melbourne Cycles

While it’s a combination of a road and a mountain bike, the flat bar looks more like a road bike than a mountain bike. It’s a good choice for commuting because of the comfortable seat and handlebars. It’s light frame allows it to reach good speeds – so it’s a fun ride too. The flat bar is not suitable for off-road conditions.  

The Focus Planet TR 1.0 is a high end moutnain bike with an urban belt drive, disc brakes and wide comfortable tyres. Photo: Port Melbourne Cycles

Mountain bikes

If you want to take your bike off road and discover the great outdoors, there are a number of options, depending on how serious you want to get. As with road bikes, you’ll have a choice of steel, aluminium and carbon frames. Aluminium is a good all-round choice, as steel is generally too heavy, and pricey carbon is really only for professionals and the super-serious. Getting the right forks (the bit that connects the wheel to the frame) are crucial for mountain biking. There are basically two types of forks: coil/oil and air. Both are used to compress the forks, allowing the bike to absorbing the shock of the bumpy ride. Bikes that have front and rear shocks are called full-suspension or dual suspension.

• A Cross Country (XC) is an all-rounder and probably the most common type of mountain bike. It’ll have suspension in the front forks, and possibly the rear, and it’s good for riding on flats, and not too heavy for uphill.

• A Downhill (DH) is heavy – which makes getting to the bottom of the mountain a blast. They don’t go uphill as well – you might want to hitch a lift there. There’s suspension fitted front and rear to make manouvering a breeze.

• A Freeride bike offers a mix of suspension and light weight, so you can get to the bottom of the mountain – and climb back up again too.

• A Dirt Jump bike is great for tricks and jumps

Hybrid  

Popular hybrid bikes offer a mix of mountain bike stylings with road bike flexibility. They are a good option for commuting, but not for serious mountain biking.

BMX

BMX Bikes

Built for fun, BMX bikes are suitable for all ages and all terrain. they have a strong light frame and are designed for tricks and jumps. They have great brakes, a single gear and accessories to help perfect the perfect jump.

Touring bike

Touring bikes

Dreaming of hitting the open road for a two-wheel holiday? A touring bike is a perfect choice for long distance riding. Comfortable, reliable with lots of capacity for storing your sleeping bag and good for travelling on most terrains – on and off road.

Fixed speed bike

Fixie & single speed bikes

If you’re after a terrific city bike, a fixie or single speed might be just the ticket. Easy to manouvre, lightweight, easy to maintain and reliable, a fixie is best for flat terrain as it has no gears and a fixed wheel – which means if the wheel is spinning – so are the pedals.  

Cruiser

Cruiser bike

If you’re not in a hurry, but you want to get there in style, the cruiser bike is for you. Fully equipped for comfort, including a comfy seat, relaxed handlebars and relaxed-shape frame, the cruiser is perfect for those wanting to enjoy a leisurely, comfortable ride.