The new bikes and the new bike riders; here's help matching your needs with today's bike choices

Sunset, Oct, 1986

The new bikes and the new bike riders

In the bike boom of the '70s, cyclists were smitten with the lightweight, 10-speed sport-touring bicycles that seemed to make so much sense in an era of health-consciousness and high gas prices.

But in this decade's bike boom, people are a lot more picky about what they want. Racing and all-terrain bikes are fast gaining popularity, while touring and sport-touring bikes have a steady following.

If you're looking for a new bike, read on to make sense of the mind-boggling array of bicycles and components out there. If you're more interested in upgrading what you already have, turn to page 71; new kinds of seats, pedals, brakes, gear shifters, and other components can make riding easier and much more fun on your existing bike.

The prices listed are averages for production bicycles and components. Customized equipment can cost two to three times as much.

Racing bikes: is the name a misnomer?

Like fine sports cars, racing bikes are lighter, stiffer, and generally more fun to ride than other bikes. Built with sport wheelbases for quick handling, these also have aluminum wheels and narrow, 1-inch-wide tires for fast acceleration and minimum friction against the ground.

With relatively high gears (as in a car, low gears are for getting going and climbing hills, high gears for going fast) spread over 12 speeds, these bikes are good for staying in shape. In fact, some dealers call them fitness bikes instead of racing bikes. Handlebars are down-turned to reduce wind resistance.

The trade you make for high performance is a less comfortable ride (you feel bumps more) and somewhat less stability. To an inexperienced rider, a racer's handling may seem skittish and too sensitive. Gears are higher than many people like, especially in hilly areas. In addition, most racing frames aren't built to accept fenders, a necessity if you want to commute in wet weather.

Prices run $300 to $1,600. Serious racers buy in the top half of the range, while fitness buffs and occasional racers can find what they need for less than $800.

Bicycles for grand tours, heavy loads

Made to carry a rider and loaded panniers (packs) for hours at a stretch, touring bicycles have long wheelbases and sturdy frames that trade off some weight and responsiveness for comfort and stability.

They usually have 15 or 18 speeds--some low enough for steep climbs. Seats are comfortable, and tires, at 1 1/4 inches wide, have better traction and a smoother ride than racing tires. Handlebars are mostly downturned.

The differences between racers and tourers may seem subtle in the shop, but they loom larger after you've been riding for an hour or two. Cost is $300 to $700

All-terrain bikes and cruisers

The bicycle phenomenon of the '80s, allterrain bikes (or ATBs, also called mountain bikes) are probably used most in town. Commuters like them because fat tires and tough, heavy frames stand up to potholes and bumps. Their upright handlebars allow heads-up visibility in heavy traffic and rough country.

Because some cyclists use ATBs on streets and others on trails, manufacturers have started to specialize. Off-road ATBs have shorter wheelbases, while street ATBs offer more comfort and sometimes slick instead of knobby tires (see page 73).

Seats on ATBs are usually wide and comfortable, frames are oversize for strength, and gears given you 15 or 18 speeds.

A subcategory of mountain bike, called the cruiser, is the old fat-tire, single-speed (usually) coaster-brake bike of your youth (if you're over 35), now embraced for its simplicity and utility. Consider one if you don't want to fiddle with multiple gears or hand brakes, and if you plan to ride in fairly flat terrain.

Mountain bike prices run from $200 to $800; cruisers are $150 to $200.

The sport-tour: made for the generalist

Neither as light as racers nor as tough as touring or mountain bikes, sport-touring bicycles are springtly and comfortable enough to be an excellent compromise. They have traditionally been the most popular multispeed bicycles.

Most sport-touring bicycles are 12-speeds, with lower gears than racing bikes for easier climbing. On most, seats are padded, aluminum rims are fitted with 1 1/8-inch tires, frames are medium-weight, and handlebars are downturned.

If you're interested in everything from regular workouts to occasional weekend rides, this is probably the bike for you. At $200 to $600, it's a bargain.

Some things to know about frames

Fortunately, when you decide what kind of bike you want, most of your decisions about frame geometry will automatically be made for you. True women's frames are uncommon, but still available, especially in sport-touring and ATB models. There is also the French-designed mixte frame, which is intermediate between the traditional women's and diamond (men's) frame.

Of the two frame materials you're most likely to encounter, steel is the most common. Inexpensive frames are made from high-carbon steel, better ones from chrome-molybdenum and managanese steel. Both are stronger than high-carbon steel and worth paying extra for.