Bikes have changed hugely since their first development in the 19th century. There are 3 main types of bikes which we will look at here.

Racing bikes

Road bikes or racers are very light drop handle bikes used for riding large distances very quickly. Everyone will have seen racing bikes in use in the worlds most recognized bicycle race the Tour de France which takes place once a year in July. Their ‘drop’ handlebars are positioned lower then the saddle to ensure the rider is positioned in the most aerodynamic position possible, riders often wear tight clothing and aerodynamic helmets to reduce air resistance further.

Racing bikes are made to be as light and un-restrictive as possible. Thin tires and aerodynamic frames beat resistance so they can achieve great speeds.
Materials used are a large part of racing bikes with the lighter parts being preferred to stronger ones with alloys, titanium and carbon fiber being widely used on all parts greatly reducing weight.

BMX bikes

BMX or bicycle motocross started in the late 70’s when teenage Americans started to ride their bikes off road emulating popular motocross riders. These days the sport is split into the disciplines of race, dirt (riding hand made trails full of large jumps made of earth), street (jumping steps and using the urban environment), ramp (riding skate parks and half pipes) and flatland (where riders perform technical balance tricks).

Most BMX bikes have 20 inch wheels and are made of 4130 chomoly steel which is heavier then aluminum but a lot stronger. The components vary between what discipline the bike is mainly used for, but strength is usually most important with most parts.

Mountain Bikes

Bikes have been ridden off road since they were invented but not until the 1980s were there mass-produced bikes build specifically for off road riding.

Mountain bikes are built with a trade off between weight and strength with wide knobby tires to provide as much grip as possible. Their riding position is upright and open allowing the rider to see all the up-coming terrain.

Most mountain bikes come with suspension which has enabled riders to traverse rougher terrain faster and easier which has pushed the sport or mountain biking to extremes.   

The mountain bike is the most versatile and popular bike for most riders as they can be ridden easily on most terrain and are the most manufactured bike in the word.