How to Choose a Bike for Commuting and Exercise

!±8± How to Choose a Bike for Commuting and Exercise

Now that you have decided to buy a bike for enjoyment, and that even biking to work will be a great way to get some daily exercise, save wear and tear on your car, and hopefully even reduce your gas bill, which type of bicycle should you get?

If you are new to bicycling or remembering how much fun you had as a kid riding your Schwinn to school with your friends, the enjoyment of bike riding may have rekindled your interest in bicycling. There are now several types of bikes on the market today, and choosing the right one can make bike riding a fun experience, or a miserable chore.

Best Type of Bike for Commuting and Exercise

As an avid bicyclist, a multi-use bike, such as a hybrid is best for commuting and exercise, unless you plan to do long road rides or mountain biking. Most experts agree that hybrid bicycles, which are a cross between a road bike and a mountain bike, is your best choice for casual riding, exercise, trail riding and commuting.

What is a hybrid bicycle?

If you are not sure what a hybrid bike is, a hybrid is a cross between a road bike and a mountain bike. It is designed for short, medium or even long road rides and light trail riding. They are generally made with light weight aluminum frames, thin tires with small nubs for traction on pavement and dirt, and have 21 to 24 gears to handle any type of terrain from flat roads to the most challenging hills.

A hybrid bike has a larger soft saddle than either a mountain bike or a road bike seat, and has upright handle bars to eliminate stress and pain on your back and shoulders. This differentiates a hybrid bicycle from a road bike, which has curved handle bars and thin tires, or a mountain bike, which has straight handle bars and thick knobby tires, you are generally in a hunched position.

Advantages of a Hybrid Bike

Road bikes and mountain bikes, while are excellent for their intended purposes, they are not good multi-purpose bikes. This is where the hybrid comes in. With a hybrid bike, you can easily enjoy city riding, short to long road rides and trail rides, without missing a beat. With its light weight aluminum frame, 21 - 24 gears, soft saddle, upright handle bars and tires that can grip dirt or fly you down Main St., you are ready for pretty much every situation with one bicycle.

Not Too Expensive

A high quality, light weight road bike can cost anywhere from 0 to 0 or more, and experts agree a good mountain bike designed for all types of terrain and jumps will set you back 0 or more. A good quality, light weight hybrid bike with industry standard Shimano components will cost between 0 and 0. You will easily recoup this investment after commuting to work or school and saving one month's worth of trips and money at the gas pump.