A bicycle is the most economical mode of transport, which is also the most beneficial for human health. This two-wheeled friend is suitable for everyone, regardless of gender, age group, social status and even taste preferences. Thanks to simple exercises on a bicycle, the cardiovascular system is strengthened, the respiratory apparatus develops, muscles are toned. That is why it is necessary to approach the choice of this type of transport with all responsibility.
Fundamental selection criteria
If you have finally and irrevocably decided to become the owner of a two-wheeled horse and you are concerned about the question of how to choose a bike for a man, then first of all you should decide on criteria such as:
- Purpose of vehicle purchase. A bicycle can be purchased as the main means of transportation, sports and training, or for extreme stunts. Depending on the purpose, the type of bike that is right for you is determined.
- Road surface quality. This is an important factor that affects the choice of bicycles. The road can be paved or unpaved.
- Height and weight of the potential owner. Depending on these indicators, the size of the frame, bicycle wheels is selected.
- Price. With this criterion, each is determined individually. Estimate your budget and find out the range that is acceptable for you specifically, in which the cost of a two-wheeled fellow can vary.
Bicycle typology: an overview of the types of cycling, their characteristics and features
Before choosing a bike for a man, it is imperative to make an overview of all types of cycling that exist in principle. So, let's begin.
road bikes
This type of bicycle transport is intended for riding within the city. This is the most common and most practical bike. Can be used for daily commuting to work or school. However, if a young man wants to amaze others with various extreme tricks, then you should not take such a bike. Also, this type of transport is not intended for skiing for a long time. The standard package of a road bike, as a rule, includes: a rear rack of a removable type, a basket, headlights, special shields that protect against splashes and dirt.
Mountain bike
Any model of mountain bike transport combines the reliability of the design, the strength of the individual elements of the bike, and the comfort of operation. This type of bicycle is ideal for long journeys in the mountains.
Main characteristics: durable wheels, thick tires, front and rear forks on shock absorbers, heavy-duty frame, disc brakes. Comfort depends on which saddle to choose for the bike - there are different types of seats for men. All models of bikes are equipped with comfortable seats, in a huge assortment of which everyone will find the most comfortable for themselves.
Sports bikes
Second name - Representatives of this type of transport belong to high-strength bicycles. Distinctive characteristics: huge wheels, tires have a deep tread, a large-sized welded frame, made in the shape of a rhombus, the top tube of the frame is beveled. A sports bike is a key link in extreme sports, an indispensable companion in outdoor walks. It is designed for men who prefer extreme riding.
city bikes
Urban cycling is an excellent alternative to automobiles and public transport. Such a bicycle should be preferred if the purpose of acquiring such a two-wheeled companion is:
- unhindered (meaning without traffic jams) road from home to work and back;
- relaxed cycling through park areas or embankments;
- driving to supermarkets for small-sized purchases.
Urban bikes have a low landing compared to mountain bikes, a comfortable handlebar, for which there is no need to bend over. The diameter of the wheels can vary depending on the model and ranges from 20 to 28 inches. As for the speed characteristics, the high rates of this parameter are unusual for an urban two-wheeler - its speed is low, but, as they say, you go quieter - you will continue. Loads of a sports nature are categorically contraindicated for this bike, in fact, just like riding on mountain ranges and hills.
Cruisers
Cruisers are bicycles, the appearance of which will not leave anyone indifferent. Their main purpose is to travel long distances with an increased level of comfort. These bikes are characterized by simplicity and quality. not equipped as cruisers should be purchased for leisurely driving on good road surfaces. Characteristic features: a wide saddle, a curved handlebar, a frame in the retro style, a foot brake.
Tourist bikes
Touring type combines all the best from mountain bikes and cruisers. No cycling trip is complete without a tourist bike. The main mission of this two-wheeled horse is to provide the cyclist with the most comfortable conditions while riding for a long time. Characteristic features: wide saddle, comfortable seating position, curved handlebars, strong frame, strong construction, simple speed change system. If the purpose of acquiring a bicycle involves heavy loads on it, and a consultant in a specialized store offers a tourist model of a two-wheeled horse, then the question of how to choose a bike for a man disappears automatically, since the store employee hit the bull's-eye. A touring bike is a reliable companion for tens or even hundreds of kilometers along the way. The cross-country ability of such bicycles is unusual. It is easy to identify the owners of tourist cycling transport, they are distinguished from the crowd by huge backpacks on the trunk and special pants.
Road bikes
Road bikes are sports bikes. Before choosing a bike for a man who loves speed, take a look at this type of bike transport. High-speed competitions on a well-paved road are the elements of a road bike. Distinguishing characteristics: light weight, low-strength design, low-slung handlebars, narrow wheels with a large diameter, a minimum number of accessories. However, it is worth noting that such transport will not tolerate irregularities.
Extreme bikes
The second name is stunt bikes or BMX bikes. The range of these two-wheeled vehicles is striking in its diversity. The transport is designed to perform various tricks in which both wheels are involved: jumping stairs, ramp jumps, tricks on springboards, flips and others. The main feature is small size. Outwardly, such a bike resembles a teenage bike. Distinctive features: diamond-shaped frame, small diameter wheels.
Decide on the component composition of the bike
As you understand, a bicycle consists of more than just a frame. A lot of elements are attached to the frame. Let's figure out how to choose a mountain bike for a man, taking into account its component composition, the structural units of which are:
A bicycle may consist of elements from different manufacturers. It all depends on the purpose of using transport, the degree of availability of parts, their cost and the requirements of a potential cyclist.
Bicycle frame
When choosing a bicycle frame, pay attention to its size. This is a very important point, because knowing how to choose the right overall characteristics, you know how to choose a bike for a man by height, and this is one of the key indicators when choosing a transport.
Also, to determine the functionality of a two-wheeled vehicle, its endurance, the material from which the frame is made is of great importance. It can be made of steel, aluminum, titanium. The most expensive, lightweight, but durable and reliable carbon frames are considered.
How to choose a mountain bike for a man: groups of components
The most popular two-wheel component manufacturers are Shimano and Sram. These companies produce components for building bikes from entry level to racing use. If you're a novice cyclist, don't waste your money chasing heavy-duty cycling equipment. Entry-level use includes component groups such as Acera and Altus, if we are talking about Shimano, and the X3 group, if we are talking about Sram.
The base level is equipped with Alivio (Shimano) and X4 (Sram) groupsets, the minimum configuration for mud riding is Deore (Shimano) and X5 (Sram), the average level of operation is SLX (Shimano) and X7 (Sram), the high-end amateur level is Deore XT (Shimano) and X9 (Sram), racing level - XTR (Shimano) and X0/XX (Sram).
rim and disc brakes
All bicycles, with the exception of entry-level two-wheelers, are equipped with disc brakes. Brake pads are located on a special disc that is attached to the wheel.
They can be hydraulic or mechanical. The former guarantee prompt and powerful braking with minimal effort, the latter require manual adjustment by the user depending on the degree of damping of the brake pad.
Advantages of a disc brake system:
- confident braking in all weather conditions on any surface;
- minimal effort;
- cost-effectiveness: in case of failure, it is enough to replace the rotor, and not the entire wheel.
Disadvantages of disc brakes:
- a rather high degree of difficulty in checking the brake pad for wear;
- the difficulty of replacing the brake pad;
- if hydraulics are used, then be prepared to shell out a considerable amount for the maintenance of such brakes.
Rim brakes: pros and cons
The rim brake system allows you to control the damping of the brake pad and replace it. But the use of such brakes entails rapid wear of the wheel rim, which is quite costly to replace from a material point of view. In addition, the type of brakes in question are less powerful than disc brakes, less effective on wet surfaces or mud, and a lot of effort should be made to stop quickly.
It is up to the consumer to decide which bike to choose for a man - with rim brakes or disc brakes, but knowing their principle of operation, the pros and cons of both is simply necessary if you want to make a truly rational choice of transport.
Height and weight as one of the fundamental criteria when choosing a two-wheeled horse
Finding the right clothes or shoes is as difficult as choosing a good bike for a man. This is done exclusively on an individual basis. In this case, one should focus on such physiological characteristics as height and weight.
As a rule, the same model of a bicycle, regardless of its brand, is available in several versions that differ from each other in the size of the frame.
How to choose a mountain bike for height: step by step instructions
1. Measure your height and get accurate readings.
2. Select the frame size according to the universal type dimensional grid, which is presented below.
| Estimated frame size | ||||
| Height, cm | For mountain bikes | For city/touring bikes | ||
| inches | cm | inches | cm | |
| 140-155 | 13 | 33.0 | 14 | 35.5 |
| 150-165 | 15 | 38.1 | 16 | 40.6 |
| 160-175 | 17 | 43.2 | 18 | 45.7 |
| 170-185 | 19 | 48,2 | 20 | 50.8 |
| 180-195 | 21 | 53.3 | 22 | 55.8 |
| 190 and more | 23 | 58.4 | 24 | 60.8 |
3. Before choosing a bicycle for a man by height, take into account the following factors:
a) If your height is within the limits, it is recommended to use a smaller frame size for daily riding and a larger frame size bike for sports riding.
b) The smaller two-wheeler is more manoeuvrable than its larger neighbor and weighs 200 grams less.
c) Frames sized L-2XL are typically made from thicker wall tubing as these models are designed to carry more weight.
d) The large frame size does not compensate for the strength of the bike under heavy weight load on it. Therefore, if you are a heavyweight, this does not mean at all that when asked how to choose a bike for a man weighing 110 kg, the correct answer is “the more the better” (or something like that).
e) Riding large bicycles is dangerous due to lack of control and increased risk of bruising in the crotch area.
How to choose a bike for a man by weight
For a person whose body weight is in the range of 70-90 kg, an entry-level bicycle is suitable. These are the cheapest bike models.
A little more will have to be laid out for people whose weight varies from 100 to 120 kg. Here, special attention should be paid to the fork and its endurance, bottom brackets, bushings, wheels.
Incorrectly selected bike by weight - instant death of transport!
Which brand to prefer: manufacturer rating and reviews
Which company to choose a bike for a man? When choosing manufacturers, preference should be given to trusted brands and trademarks. To help a potential client, we present a rating list of the top five of the best. Compiled TOP-5 based on consumer feedback.
The leading position is occupied by the company Specialized. This is the best bike manufacturer in the world. The company produces products for bicycles that are suitable for one or another type of two-wheeled horse. Customer reviews confirm the high quality of TM Specialized products and note that consumables are affordable both from a material point of view and from a sales point of view - you can find any part in any official bike store.
Silver went to TM TrekBicycle. The company has been on the market for 39 years and specializes in the production of bicycles and parts for them. The assortment range is wide and multifaceted. The average user can easily find the most suitable city bike for himself, and the stunt rider - extreme.
The third position in our ranking is occupied by Scott. Its useful to note. that the company began to produce two-wheeled vehicles quite recently, but the quality of the products put forward this brand in the top five. According to users, the Gambler models and the Voltage series are especially popular.
Fourth place belongs to the American manufacturer of bicycle products Giant. The range of produced bicycle models of this brand is systematically replenished, and if earlier it was possible to meet models intended for amateur use, now the company's catalog already contains professional models of extreme bikes. Buyers appreciated the model Glory and Reign. The company's products are available and have the appropriate quality characteristics.
Closes the top five of the German company Cube. In terms of quality, bicycles of this brand could flaunt in the top three leaders, but the manufacturer unreasonably overstates the cost of its two-wheeled mechanisms. But if you have a lot of money and crave individuality, this is what you need!
Familiar with brands? Now you know exactly which company to choose a mountain bike for a man. Good luck to you!
