Comparison LikeBike Flash vs Rover Monster 1

Nowadays, there are many types of bicycles. So, city bikes are provided for asphalt (including fixed-gear bikes and cruisers, touring and commuter bikes models can also be included here (universal version combining urban comfort and mountain passability)). Road bikes are also suitable for hard surfaces (with separate subspecies cyclocross, gravel and triathlon bikes). For rough terrain, it is better to pay attention to mountain MTB bikes (there are different types: cross-country, downhill / freeride / enduro, trail, street / dirt). A separate niche is occupied by electric bicycles, BMX and fat bikes.

— Electric bicycles. Bicycles equipped with electric motors and batteries. The method of using such equipment can be different: in some models it only helps the cyclist, reducing the effort on the pedals, in others it allows you to ride without pedalling at all, like on an electric moped (for more details, see "Operating modes"). In terms...of purpose, most of these machines are closest to city bikes, but there are exceptions - in particular, some models combine the capabilities of an electric bike and a fat bike. Electric drive provides additional convenience and reduces the cost of effort when driving; moreover, even a dead battery is not terrible for such a bike - you can continue to move in the usual way, on the pedals. On the other hand, electric bikes are much heavier than classic ones, and they are noticeably more expensive.

- Mountain (MTB). Abbreviation for MountTain Bike. In this case, two types of bicycles are included. The first is the classic “miners”, designed mainly for driving over rough terrain without specific loads typical for specialized varieties (see below). Such bicycles are built on a thick, durable frame, equipped with wide wheels, and tyres with deep treads. Many mountain models are quite suitable for driving on a flat road; of course, here they lose to road models (see below), but if you often have to drive both on the highway and off the asphalt, it is better to choose the MTB. The second variety is models that are close in characteristics to specialized ones (see below), but for one reason or another do not fit into a certain class - for example, due to heavy weight (cross-country), poor adaptability to high jumps (dirt ) and so on.

- Cross country. A type of mountain bike designed for cross-country racing. Some sections of cross-country trails are somewhat simpler than similar elements in competitions such as downhill or trials (see below), but the trails themselves are very diverse. Therefore, a bicycle of this type must combine speed, manoeuvrability, “tenacity” to the ground, and convenience on ups and downs. In practice, this is achieved by using lightweight materials for frames (aluminium, titanium, carbon, see "Frame material"), tyres with deep tread, hardtail or full suspension suspension with lockout functions (see "Suspension", "Rear suspension lockout"). ") and so on.

Downhill/freeride/enduro. A specialized type of mountain bike designed for downhill skiing. Types of such descents differ in the type of surface: downhill uses pre-prepared tracks, while more extreme freeride is carried out on complete off-road, and enduro - on the most difficult sections. However, for all varieties of bicycles, the characteristic features are common: these are wide wheels and heavyweight. The latter is due to the reinforced design: during descents, the weight does not play a decisive role, but the loads on the machine are very high, which requires increased strength and maximum reliability of all components. There is usually only one gear selector - only on the cassette (rear), respectively, there are few speeds. But the suspension on both wheels (see "Amortization") is almost mandatory.

- Trail. The trail is a specific way of riding that combines overcoming obstacles over rough terrain, conquering and descending medium peaks, road over stones and free riding on a flat road. Trail bikes have strong and heavy frames, reinforced wheels and tyres. Most of them are full-suspension with a large range of shock absorber travel (about 130 - 150 mm).

- Street / Dirt. A type of mountain bike designed for stunt riding and in some places approaching BMX. They can be designed for different styles: street acrobatics using urban elements like curbs and stairs; dirt - jumping from earthen springboards with performing tricks in the air. However, all such bicycles are characterized by common features: a small frame, one speed, as well as a minimum of depreciation or its complete absence.

- City. This class of bicycles is designed for city driving. This implies the usual movement on roads with a smooth surface, without any "extreme". City bikes are often equipped with accessories designed to increase ride comfort and enhance the bike's capabilities, such as spring saddles, racks/panniers, full-size fenders, chain guards, and so on. (see "Complete set"). For long trips and difficult conditions, city bikes are poorly suited, and therefore they can be recommended to adherents of a calm style of riding along city arteries and for pleasure riding along park paths.

— Fix. Single-speed fixed bikes were originally created as sports equipment for riding on cycle tracks. But in some subcultures of riders, they are used for the urban rhythm of travel. A distinctive feature of the nature of fixes is that the pedals of the bicycle always spin as long as the rear wheel rotates.

— Cruiser. Models with a characteristic elongated frame geometry, vertical seating, a soft comfortable saddle and a wide handlebar moved forward. When designing cruisers, they were inspired by the design of retro motorcycles. They are positioned as successful walking solutions.

— Commuter. Bicycles of this type are a cross between mountain bikes (MTB) and city bikes. On the one hand, fitness bikes provide a “sporty”, inclined landing and a large number of gears, on the other hand, there is no depreciation in the design, and additional “chips” can be provided, such as a trunk or baskets on the steering wheel, and the wheels are large (usually 28 "). This allows you to accelerate to fairly high speeds, while the bikes perfectly adapt to uneven roads and increased loads."Road" can be used to move around the city, if speed is important in such trips and the classic city bike is too slow for this, to recover and keep fit, etc.

- Touring. Bicycles designed for long-distance travel on different types of roads - both on a hard surface and on primers or rough terrain. Outwardly, they are most similar to road, gravel and cyclocross bikes, but in fact they combine the properties of mountain, road and city models. So, most tourist bikes have a more massive and durable frame than "road bikes", which allows you to more or less successfully move off paved roads. The steering wheel can be either straight or road (see "Steering wheel shape"). In addition, many models are equipped with front racks (see "Complete set") or at least mounts for them; also, the design often provides wings, a footboard and other additional equipment that provides additional comfort on long-distance bike trips.

- Road. A specialized class of bicycles designed to move on smooth roads over long distances. Road models feature a “recumbent” rider position (more forward lean) for better aerodynamics, are equipped with narrow wheels and handlebars with a characteristic curved design (see "Steering wheel model"), and do not have any shock absorbers (see "Suspension"). Thanks to all this, high speed of movement with minimal resistance is ensured - on good road surfaces, road bikes are better than any other models for long trips (suffice it to say that this type of bicycle is used in large-scale cycling races like the Tour de France). At the same time, all the advantages appear only on smooth, dry roads.

— Gravel. Bicycles that combine the features of road and mountain machines; in fact - devices designed to comfortably ride both on and off-road. The key point in this case is comfort: the “gravel road” loses to the “road” in speed, and the MTB in cross-country ability, but it is more versatile and comfortable on different types of surfaces. Note that specific criteria for gravel bikes vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. However, common features can be identified in all such models: this is a combination of a “road” steering wheel with a relatively high landing, rather thick soft tyres and disc brakes. We also note that at first glance, the “gravel roads” are similar to the cyclocross described below, but this impression is deceptive: the cyclocross is primarily a sports apparatus.

— Cyclocross. In the most general terms, this variety can be described as a modified version of road bikes (see above) with increased cross-country ability, suitable for off-road travel - grass, sand, gravel, etc. Being outwardly very similar to traditional "road bikes", cyclocrosses in at the same time, they differ from them in wider and thicker wheels and a smaller inclination of the rider when landing. In addition, cyclocross as a sport discipline provides that riders have to overcome part of the distance on foot, with a bicycle on their shoulder. In light of this, specialized bicycles for such races are also made based on the convenience of carrying on the shoulder (wide frame, traction cables hidden inside the frame). And from gravel models (see above), cyclocrosses differ primarily in that they are designed not so much for comfort as for speed and maneuverability.

For triathlon. A specialized type of road bike with a less “recumbent” rider posture and a more pronounced aerodynamic fit that allows you to maintain high speed with minimal effort. A huge bonus to aerodynamics is also given by high profile wheel rims. The weight of such bicycles is small (about 8-10 kg), they are also equipped with hydrators so that the rider can drink without changing the seat. A triathlon bike is an effective weapon to achieve your sporting goals. For everyday trips, such bikes are not customary to use at all.

— BMX. Bicycles designed to ride in the style of BMX (Bicycle Moto Cross - bicycle motocross). There are several varieties of BMX, but all of them are characterized by high loads on the structure and the performance of acrobatic stunts, which are practically inaccessible to other types of bicycles. Accordingly, BMX models have a low and very strong frame, wide wheels of small diameter (for good grip and powerful torque) and, most often, one gear (for ease of control and reliability). They can also be equipped with additional devices - for example, an axle of the front wheel extended in both directions, which the athlete uses as a step when performing tricks. Note that for normal driving on roads, BMXs are poorly suited, their purpose is acrobatics.

- Fatbike. Powerful mountain bikes designed specifically to overcome difficult obstacles such as loose snow, sand or impassable mud. First of all, they are distinguished by extremely wide tyres (see "Tyre width") and low tyre pressure, which improves grip. When riding on loose surfaces, the wheels of the bike do not fall through, and the lower pressure allows you not to get stuck in the ground.

The maximum load allowed for a bicycle is, in other words, the maximum weight that it can normally carry in normal use. Of course, when calculating the load, the weight of both the cyclist himself and the additional load that he carries with him is taken into account.

The permissible load must definitely not be exceeded: even if the bike does not break down immediately, off-design loads can weaken the structure, and an accident can occur at any time. Also note that it is desirable to have a certain weight margin — at least 15 – 20 kg: this can be useful in case of transporting heavy loads and will give an additional guarantee in emergency situations (for example, when a wheel gets into a pit). Considering that the average weight of an adult is about 70 – 80 kg, bicycles with a permissible load of up to 100 kg can be classified as "lightweights", from 100 to 120 kg — to the middle category, more than 120 kg — to "heavy trucks".

The nominal diameter of the bicycle wheels. Usually, this paragraph actually indicates the size of the bicycle tyres supplied in the kit, more precisely, the outer diameter of the tyres.

Wheel diameter is traditionally indicated in inches. For bicycles of different purposes and age groups (see paragraphs above), there are certain size standards. So, adult mountain models are equipped mainly with 26 " wheels, "road" and urban ones — with a slightly larger diameter (mostly 28 "), and BMX for the most part — much smaller; children's and teens' bikes have smaller wheels than similar adults' bikes.

Other things being equal, larger tyres hold speed better and work out small bumps on the road; and relatively small wheels are more “sticky”, they provide more torque and better traction. This is the reason for the above-described difference in wheel sizes between bicycles for different purposes. Such nuances will be useful if you choose a car from several models with similar characteristics, but different wheel diameters. Here it is worth considering the features of the planned application. For example, for urban and "road" driving — on a hard surface without any special irregularities and elevation changes — it is better to choose larger wheels, and for dirt roads with ups and downs — smaller ones.

Also note that tyres are replaceable, and many bikes allow the installation of tyres of...a “non-native” size — for example, 29 "on a model with 28-inch wheels. It is also worth considering that wheels (tyres) of the same size may differ in inner (landing) diameter These nuances are described in detail in special sources.

Varieties of rims are determined by the number of horizontal jumpers in the design.

— Single. The simplest type of rim, similar in cross section to the Latin letter U. It is used mainly in entry-level bicycles.

— Double. Such a rim differs from a single rim by the presence of an additional horizontal bridge. Figuratively speaking, it resembles the same letter U, but with a double bottom. The features of this design are such that it is able to provide increased strength even with less weight than a single one. On the other hand, double rims are more difficult to manufacture and therefore more expensive. They are used primarily in bicycles where high resistance to stress is required — in particular, mountain varieties (see "Intended use") for freeride and cross-country.

— Triple. A further development of the idea of a double rim is a design with two additional horizontal bridges. This provides even greater strength, however, the weight increases quite noticeably. In addition, initially the second jumper was provided to strengthen the side surface, in order to avoid damage during the operation of rim brakes (see "Front brake", "Rear brake"); however, today most powerful brakes are disc brakes, and this problem is losing its relevance. Because triple rims are quite rare.

The number of speeds (gears) provided for in the design of the bicycle. Each transfer has its own so-called gear ratio — in this case it can be described as the number of revolutions that the driven gear (rear, on the wheel) makes in one revolution of the leading gear (associated with the pedals).

Different gear ratios will be optimal for different conditions: for example, high gears provide good speed, but are poorly suited for overcoming obstacles, because. the effort on the pedals increases significantly and the frequency of their rotation decreases. It has been scientifically proven that a cyclist develops maximum power at a cadence of about 80-100 rpm. Thus, the presence in the bike of several speeds allows you to optimally adjust it to different driving modes and features of the tracks in order to provide optimal pedaling force and frequency of their rotation. For example, on smooth asphalt it is best to drive in a high gear, and when overcoming a rise or entering a dirt road, you can lower it in order to effectively overcome resistance.

The number of gears in classic systems is directly related to the number of stars of the system (on the bottom bracket with pedals) and the cassette (on the rear wheel); it can be obtained by multiplying two numbers — for example, 3 stars of the system and 6 on the cassette give 18 gears. However, there is also the so-called planetary hubs — there are stars one at a time, and gear shifting is carried out by a mec...hanism built into the rear hub.

Note that the optimal number of gears depends on the purpose of the bike (see above), and it is not always necessary to have several of them. So, in mountain models, depending on specialization, there can be from 8 to 30 gears, in road ones — within 20-30, and some inexpensive city bikes and most BMXs do not have a gear shift system at all.

The number of stars (gears) of different sizes in a bicycle cassette. A cassette is a part of the rear hub that interacts directly with the chain, in other words, a gear or a set of gears mounted on the hub. In classical gear shifting systems, the number of gears directly depends on the number of stars in the cassette (for more details, see "Speeds"); a single chainring is used either in single speed bikes or in planetary hubs (see System Stars for more on these).

Model of the derailleur (derailer) installed on the rear wheel cassette as standard on the bike. For more information on why you need to know the model of a particular bicycle component, see paragraph "Cassette Model".

Type of shifters — devices that control gear shifting — installed on a bicycle. To date, the following types of shifters are used:

— Trigger. The design of this type is based on the use of 1 or 2 levers, as well as (sometimes) buttons located in close proximity to the hands of the cyclist. Trigger shifters can have different designs with varying degrees of convenience (usually, this is directly related to the price category of the device), located above or below the steering wheel, however, a number of common features are characteristic of all such models. Their main advantages are the traditional design and comfort when holding the steering wheel — the shifters are located outside the handles (grips) and do not affect convenience. In addition, they are quite simple in design and installation. On the other hand, this type also has a number of disadvantages. Thus, the presence of protruding parts increases the risk of equipment failure or injury to the cyclist in an accident. In many models, especially the low-cost level, in some cases, you have to take your hand off the steering wheel to change gear, which can lead to loss of control. In addition, shifting gears more than 2-3 "clicks" per press in trigger shifters is somewhat difficult and requires skill. However, in most cases, these disadvantages do not play a decisive role, and this type of levers is by far the most popular.

— Grip shift. By design, the grip shift is somewhat reminiscent of motorcyc...le gas regulators: part of the handle is made movable, and gear shifting is carried out by turning it in one direction or another. Since the grip shift rings are actually combined with handles (grips), you don’t need to remove your hand from the steering wheel to control the gears — just move it a little to the side, and you can switch speed (and in some cases you can even keep your hands on the rings all the time). Such systems are devoid of protruding parts, which increases reliability and safety. Another advantage over triggers is the ease of shifting gears to any number of speeds. The main disadvantage of this type is the increased risk of accidentally shifting gears on a difficult section of the track, when you have to hold on tightly to the grips (especially with large palms and short grips) — you can accidentally turn the shifter, which is fraught with a sharp shift, breaking the chain from the sprockets and loss of controllability. In addition, contact with water or dirt on the ring can lead to slippage of the hand when working with gears, and the rings themselves increase the dimensions of the steering wheel and for some may cause inconvenience in the grip.

— Dual control. An original system that combines the control of brakes and gears in one lever — the brake lever. In this case, braking is carried out by moving towards you, and gear shifting is carried out by shifting up or down. The advantages of such a system are the constancy of the grip of the steering wheel — 2 fingers are enough to control both the brakes and the gears. At the same time, dual control shifters are quite complex in design, as a result, they are expensive and poorly compatible with “non-native” brakes and switches. And the ergonomics of such systems is very ambiguous, ease of use largely depends on the individual tastes of the cyclist. Therefore, this type of shifters is rather uncommon.

— Electronic. The competitive advantages of electronic shifters include the absence of a cable and levers to transfer physical force to the switch. In fact, these are ordinary buttons that send signals to the gearshift control unit. Such shifters work in conjunction with electronic switches that are installed on board advanced bicycle models. They can be placed in any convenient place with quick and comfortable access to the switches.

The model of the shifters (see “Shifter type”) that are fitted to the bike as standard. For more information on why you need to know the model of a particular bicycle component, see paragraph "Cassette Model".