| With biking being more popular than ever and with | | | | also includes highly modified 'downhill' bikes which take |
| more and more cities adopting cycle friendly | | | | part in extreme downhill racing competitions. |
| environments for everyone from downhill extremists to | | | | BMX Bike |
| Sunday afternoon pootlers, there is no better time to | | | | BMX stands for 'Bicycle Motocross'. This type of bike |
| be thinking about getting a bike than now. While there | | | | was designed for racing across motocross style |
| are certainly enough bikes out there to choose from, | | | | terrain which includes a range of extreme jumps and |
| selecting the right one for your needs can sometimes | | | | other obstacles. BMX bikes are also used for |
| be a bit tricky, especially if you haven't ridden a bike | | | | performing flat land tricks and half-pipe tricks and other |
| since you were a teenager. Not to worry, this quick | | | | types of extreme biking. If you are extreme, this is the |
| guide can narrow things down for you. | | | | bike for you. There are many kinds, from the cheap |
| Where Should I Get My Bike? | | | | bmx bike to expensive high-end models. |
| First things first: finding a bike. Now you can of course | | | | Hybrid Bike |
| go to places like Halfords or Argos to choose your | | | | Otherwise known as a 'City bike', this type is best |
| bike from a large selection, but if cost is an issue, as it | | | | used for general day-to-day activities and commuting. |
| is for so many at the moment, local bike shops, online | | | | Hybrid Bikes are close to a mountain bike design but |
| stores and recycling centres are a great place to grab | | | | with a more comfortable seating position and less |
| a bargain. Try your local directory or search online | | | | dramatic suspension. These often come with a basket |
| using a search engine and you should be able to find | | | | or carrying platform attached and are best used for |
| hundreds to choose from in seconds. Now, back to | | | | trips to work, (unless you work up a mountain). |
| the initial question: | | | | Road/Racing Bike |
| So what type bike should I get? | | | | These are designed for serious cycling enthusiasts |
| Mountain Bike | | | | who like to do 'Tour de France' type cycling. They are |
| If you want to be able to ride your bike up hill and | | | | often the most expensive and are made to be light |
| down dale without cycling on a single road, then you | | | | and fast so include some seriously high tech materials. |
| need a mountain bike. These are designed to | | | | These are for serious cycling by serious people. |
| withstand the punishment of off-road cycling. These | | | | So there you go, everything you need to know. But |
| come with thick knobbly tyres, partial (and sometimes | | | | remember: please always wear a helmet! |
| full) suspension and large wheels. This category of bike | | | | |