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Types of bikes Mountain bikes Mountain bikes are the 4 x 4s of the bike world, but without the unethical 'gas guzzling' implications. Tough and practical rather than super-speedy, they have wide, thick grippy tyres that can withstand all but the most severe of punctures. Mountain bikes have chunky frames, excellent brakes and more gears than may be considered reasonably necessary. Some come with suspension, which can add weight but ensures a smooth ride when bouncing over bumpy surfaces. Pros Hard wearing, suitable for off-roading and general bouncing around, not prone to punctures, fairly affordable and low maintenance. Cons Thick tyres really do slow these bikes down on smooth surfaces. Can be cumbersome and heavy. Road bikes Cons Prone to punctures, wheels are not very strong, expensive, fairly high maintenance, may not be suitable for complete beginners. Pros Fast, fast, fast! Lightweight and compact. Touring bikes To the untrained eye, touring bikes and road bikes are pretty much one and the same. They have similar frames, but touring bikes have a slightly rangier, sturdier, more stable build. The tyres are a little wider and they are built for long-distance comfort, not short-distance speed. Touring bikes may also have more gears than road bikes, as they are built for a range of terrain. They are, however, nowhere near as hardy as mountain bikes. Sticking with the car theme, touring bikes are your Mercedes saloons – combining high performance with comfort. Cons Jack of all trades but master of none – hybrids are not as fast as road or touring bikes, as tough as bouncy mountain bikes or as gorgeous as some of the vintage-style 'sit up and beg' models. © Corbis The Porsches of the bike world, road bikes are sleek, compact and light, with characteristic dropped handlebars. Tyres are thin and slick, which make a road-based commute lightning quick. The main selling point of the road bike is their speed. They are the fastest bikes on the block by a long shot and those who ride them swear by them. On the flip side, their super-thin tyres are prone to punctures and the wheels are delicate – you wouldn't want to take a road bike down a bumpy path for fear of buckling a wheel. They are also a little flimsy and unstable, which can make novices uncomfortable. Cons Can be expensive, not suitable for offroading, performance rather than style orientated. Pros Comfortable, smooth, built to last. Hybrid bikes Pros Stronger than a road bike, faster than a mountain bike. Ideal for commuting and recreational cycling. Billed as the best of both worlds, hybrid bikes bring together the robust toughness of mountain bikes with the speed credentials of road bikes. Hybrids range from very slender, almost racing-style bikes with flat handlebars to chunky mountain bike-style models with slick tyres. If a hybrid bike were a car, it would be a mid-range saloon or coupe. Practical, affordable and still eminently lovable. © Rainer Jensen/dpa/Corbis Folding bikes Folding bikes are a familiar sight in commuterville. These cute little numbers fold up nice and small, making them ideal for train journeys and for storage in small flats. Unfold them and – hey presto – you have a fully functioning, adorably quirky-looking bike. Folding bikes are not cheap, but considering they can be taken pretty much anywhere and are virtually theft proof, those who own them consider the investment well worth it. I can't think of a car analogy for a folding bike, as how many cars do you know that fold up? Cons Designed for the urban commuter, these bikes are not the best choice for purely recreational cycling. Can be pricey. Pros Small and versatile, functional, practical, can be stored just about anywhere, practically theft proof. www.h e rmagaz in e .co.n z | 97