Road bikes often have thinner tires and drop handlebars. The top bar is higher up and riders are more bent over. They are lighter and thus popular among folks who want to go quickly on smooth (paved) terrain. However, with less grip, their features are less appropriate for riding on gravel and in wet environments.

Mountain bikes are moderately upright and often have thicker tires with more “tread” enabling for greater grip on dirt and gravel surfaces. They also often have shock absorption which can make going over bumps more comfortable.

Hybrids are popular with urban riders and have features between road bikes and mountain bikes (e.g. weight, tire width). They are designed to handle multiple riding conditions but features differ between bikes. Some types of hybrids are also called “trekking”, “cross”, or “commuter/city” bikes.

Some other jargon you might encounter is “fixie”, “cruiser”or “BMX”.

• Fixie refers to fixed gears, the bike is a single speed meaning that the gears cannot be changed. This makes the bike lighter but can make hills challenging.
• Cruisers are designed for sitting more upright with raised handlebars. They are oriented towards comfortable riding, feature a low top tube and are often also a single-speed.
• BMX stands for bicycle moto-cross which are designed for stunt and off-road sport riding.

Different styles of adaptive bikes such as tricycles are also available. The Everyone Rides Initiative offers a selection of adaptive bikes to Hamiltonians.

1. FRAME SIZE 

1. • no matter what style bike you choose, ensure the frame is the right size for the length of your legs. This is generally done by comparing your inseam (a measurement of the length of the inside leg from the inner thigh to the foot) to the seat tube of a bike (bar connecting the pedal to the seat). Additionally, when standing over your bike, you should have at least one inch clearance above the top tube. Generally road bikes require a slightly larger frame size compared to hybrid or mountain bikes. A frame size chart can help you find the right size

2. SEAT HEIGHT

• • Even with the right frame size, you want to ensure your seat height has your leg almost fully extended when the pedal is closest to the ground. By avoiding overly bent knees you will have more power and reduce strain on your knees. Seat height is usually easily adjustable. 

Learn about bike body positioning, fitting your bike and making adjustments. The angle of your handlebars and height of your stem can also sometimes be adjusted to improve fit. 

Other features you might come across are the: 

• Types of brakes
• Number of ‘speeds’ (number of combinations between front and back gears)
• Material of the rims (the outer edge of the wheel)
• Tread of the tires
• Suspension or shocks

Don’t be overwhelmed in a commuting or recreational setting, often many variations of the same feature are appropriate. 

If you are interested in these features: 

• Rim brakes are the most common, least expensive and easiest to maintain and replace
• A few gears often will provide flexibility for hills without too much added weight, knowing how and when to shift gears is often the most important 
• Aluminum rims are generally lighter but less durable than steel rims. Modern bikes almost exclusively use aluminum but steel rims are common on older bikes. 
• Tires with lots of tread or knobs provide greater traction for turning on sandy terrain but increases friction compared to smoother tires
• Full or Front-suspension bikes absorb shocks on rugged terrain and are common on mountain bikes but generally not needed for urban cycling

• Buying your bike rather than used can offer many benefits. You can save money while recycling a bike and reducing your consumption.
• Refurbishing a used bike can also be a great way to learn basic bike repair skills and/or customize your bike to align with your needs and style. 

Hamilton has many used bike shops and co-ops that can help you find or restore a used bike.

Remember you can often always add items to your bike to make it more convenient for you. Some items include mirrors, carriers, trailers, baskets and fenders. 

1. BASKETS & REAR RACKS

• • Adding storage to your bike can help make commuting more convenient. A front basket could be a quick and easy addition but back storage in the form of panniers or a crate/basket first requires a rear rack. Milk Crates are a popular and easy way to add storage to an existing rear rack. Using zip ties is a quick and tool-free way to install a milk crate.

2. MIRRORS

• • Mirrors can make it easier to check for oncoming traffic when changing lanes. Both handlebar mirrors and helmet mirrors are widely available. 

3. FENDERS

• • If you frequently ride in the rain or snow, fenders can make your commute more comfortable, these guards that frame your wheels to reduce the spray of water and mud onto your back and face.