Comparison TITAN Discovery 26 2019 frame 11 vs STELS Navigator 800 V 2015

The year to which the manufacturer classifies the bicycle (more precisely, the model range that includes this model).

The significance of this parameter is that the model range is updated every year, and two bicycles with the same name, but from different years, can differ significantly in characteristics and equipment. At the same time, new models ( 2024, 2023) usually cost more, and older ones ( 2022, 2021, etc.) are sold at reduced prices.

It is worth considering that a later year of manufacture in itself does not necessarily mean more advanced characteristics - manufacturers can change them in the direction of simplification. So the model of previous years may be in no way inferior to the new bike.

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.

Frame size refers to the distance from the saddle attachment point to the bottom bracket attachment point (axles with gears and pedals). The main parameters that determine the choice of a bike for frame size are the height of the user, the purpose of the bike and the intended riding style.It is also worth considering the female frame, which is lowered, which allows you to ride comfortably even in a skirt or dress.

User height is the most significant factor. In general, the taller the user, the larger the frame should be. The universal formula that allows you to calculate a specific size is as follows: the length of the leg from the groin to the heel in centimeters must be multiplied by 0.6, and then divided by 2.5 — you get the approximate size of the frame in inches. But in the characteristics of brands, the frame can also be indicated in the usual form for measuring size XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL and XXL.

However, note that this value is very arbitrary and approximate, it can only be used for simple bicycles not intended for extreme driving (for example, city bikes, see "Destination"). If you choose a more specialized model (mountain, road, BMX) — it is better to refer to the tables for th...e appropriate type, because. sizes for one height can vary significantly depending on the destination. In addition, different manufacturers have different frame geometry and measurement methods, and therefore, for the most accurate selection, it is recommended to use the manufacturers' own tables.

Note that the optimal frame size is not absolute — in most cases, for the same height, “neighboring” sizes are quite suitable. And here it is worth paying attention to the intended driving style. It is believed that small, well-controlled frames are better suited for extreme variant, and larger and more stable ones are better suited for long-term calm movement.

The presence or absence of a depreciation system on a bicycle, as well as the type of this system.

— Without depreciation (rigid). In such models, the wheels are fixed directly to the rigid elements of the frame; there are no depreciation devices. Due to this, the design of the bicycle is simple, the weight is small, the cyclist feels all the features of the road topography as much as possible, and the maximum efficiency of pedaling is also achieved, which is important, for example, for road models (see "Destination"). At the same time, structural rigidity is a "double-edged sword". On the one hand, "feeling for the road" is important for BMX and some mountain models (see "Purpose"); on the other hand, the lack of shock absorption significantly increases the load on both the structure and the rider himself, leads to increased wear, fatigue and some risk of injury on rough roads.

— Depreciation of the front fork (hard tail). The most popular type of cushioning in adult bikes (see "Age Group"), especially urban and mountain types (see "Purpose"). In accordance with the name, in such bicycles, the shock-absorbing device is installed only on the front fork, while the rear wheel is rigidly fixed. The presence of a shock absorber somewhat increases the weight of the structure and complicates its maintenance, however, the advantages of such a scheme significantl...y outweigh the disadvantages: hard-tails combine good handling, “road feel” and ride comfort, including and on rough terrain.

— Rear fork. Bicycles in which only the rear wheel is damped, while the front wheel is rigidly fixed. The rear shock absorber is designed to provide additional comfort when hitting various bumps, and the absence of a front shock absorber reduces the overall cost of the machine. This option is found mainly in urban models, including electric bicycles (see "Application"); in other varieties, the use of rear shock absorption is not practical.

— Two-suspension (full suspension). Bicycles equipped with shock absorbers on both wheels — a fork in front and a special suspension in the back. Such models are as comfortable as possible for driving on rough terrain, because. They dampen the vibrations felt by the cyclist best and provide the best grip on uneven tracks. At the same time, the presence of a rear shock absorber "eats" part of the energy coming from the pedals, and you have to spend more effort to ride. To avoid this, many two-suspension bikes can be provided with front and rear suspension lockouts (see below), but full suspension complicates the design anyway, increases its weight and price. Therefore, this type of cushioning is relatively rare, mainly in certain varieties of mountain bikes (in particular, for cross-country and freeride; see "Purpose").

Front fork suspension type (if available, see "Suspension"). All shock absorption systems in bicycles work in two directions: vibration damping (damping) and impact energy absorption (cushioning). Accordingly, they have two main components: a damper and a shock absorber. Depending on the design features of these elements, the following types of depreciation are distinguished:

— Spring-elastomer. In this case, the role of a shock absorber is played by an elastic spring, and the role of a damper is played by a rod made of an elastic, well-compressible material, the so-called elastomer. This type appeared as a development of conventional spring damping systems, it is more durable, but poorly suited for low temperatures — the elasticity of the elastomer in such conditions decreases, which negatively affects the characteristics of the system.

— Spring-oil. Systems using a spring as a shock absorber and an oil cartridge as a damper. This design is somewhat more resistant to low temperatures than spring-elastomer, and in general has quite good characteristics, due to which it is quite widely used in various types of bicycles. The main disadvantage is the higher (on average) cost.

— Air-oil. Combined systems consisting of an air cylinder that acts as a shock absorber and an oil cartridge that acts as a damper. They appeared as a development of “pur...e” air systems, which had a serious drawback: even with high-quality maintenance, the seals wore out rather quickly, which could disable the shock absorber. Air-oil systems are more durable and easier to maintain, while being quite efficient and weighing little. The latter is especially valuable for cross-country (see "Purpose"), where it is required to combine depreciation with a low weight of the machine.

Front fork travel on bicycles with damped suspension (see "Suspension"). Roughly speaking, the travel of a fork is the maximum distance that its size can be reduced by compression during shock absorption. The longer the fork travel, the better the shock absorption and “soft” ride it provides, but not all bikes require a lot of travel. Even within the same type (see “Purpose”), depending on the specific application and riding style, the optimal fork travel will be different — for example, freeride mountain bikes need good shock absorption, and for cross-country, on the contrary, a long fork travel will be redundant.

In general, if you do not plan on extreme cross-country riding or doing cycling tricks, this parameter is not critical. However, when choosing a bike for serious cycling, it is worth checking the recommended fork travel values (according to specialized literature or from professionals) and making sure that the desired model corresponds to them.

— Aluminium. In this case, aluminium is the simplest and most unpretentious option. Its advantages include light weight; on the other hand, in the absence of shock absorption, the steering wheel with such a fork is highly susceptible to vibrations, and in terms of durability, aluminium is somewhat inferior to steel.

— Steel. Another relatively simple option, which at the same time is considered more advanced than the aluminium described above, and is found even in fairly expensive pro-level bikes. This is due to the fact that steel is noticeably stronger and more durable, as it is not as susceptible to "metal fatigue". However such forks weigh a little more than aluminium ones.

— Chromium molybdenum steel. A type of steel that is more advanced than more traditional grades. Among the main advantages of such alloys are high strength and reliability; at the same time, due to such properties, individual elements of the forks can be made thinner, and the forks themselves can be made lighter than ordinary steel ones. The main disadvantage of Cro-Mo steel is the rather high cost.

— Carbon. Lightweight and high-strength carbon fibre forks effectively dampen small bumps in the road under the wheels of the bike and slightly spring on small potholes, thereby providing cushioning on bumpy roads. The carbon fork facilitates the design of the front of the bike. Most often it is found on board "highways" and "gravel roads", less often it is installed in o...ff-road fatbikes. Vulnerable point — carbon forks break under the influence of strong point impacts.

Tyre model supplied with the bike as standard. Different tyres have different purposes and characteristics; knowing the tyre model, you can clarify these points and check how they correspond to your wishes. This is especially important when choosing a machine for serious cycling.

The type of brake fitted to the front wheel of a bicycle. The first word in the name of the brake indicates the place of application of the braking force, the second — the design feature of the entire braking system.

— Rim (V-brake). Rim brakes are called brakes that work by pressing the brake pads against the wheel rim. They transfer the braking force from the handle to the pads by means of a cable pull. The common advantages of all rim brakes are the simplicity of design, light weight, low cost, good interchangeability of parts, as well as the minimum load on the hub and spokes. On the other hand, such brakes wear out the pads and rim, require periodic adjustment, and lose effectiveness when the rim is dirty, iced or warped.

Structurally, the differences between the subtypes of rim brakes lie in the way they are attached to the bicycle frame. In addition, each variety has found its own scope. So, V‒brake is common in teenage, touring and budget mountain bikes, the clamp subtype has found its way into road and city bikes, and the U-brake is practiced in BMX bikes.

— Disk mechanical. In disc systems, braking is carried out by pressing the pads not to the wheel rim, but to a special brake disc rigidly fixed on its axis. The braking force, as in mechanical rims (see above), is transmitted to the pads through a special cable. The main advantages of disc systems are significantly more power than rim systems, as we...ll as better modulation (for modulation, see "Rim hydraulic" above). In addition, they are less sensitive to weather conditions (because the disc is quite high and clogs less than the rim), they easily carry the “eights” on the rims, and the elements of the system wear out more slowly and are not so demanding to adjust. Among the disadvantages are greater weight, high cost, a tendency to overheat, an increase in the load on the spokes and wheel hub, as well as difficulty in repair — the last point is aggravated by the fact that different models of even one manufacturer are often not compatible in terms of spare parts. However, despite all this, disc brakes are quite widely used in extreme riding bikes, especially mid-range and high-end models.

— Disc hydraulic. A variant of disc brakes (see above), in which not a cable is used to transfer force from the handle to the pads, but a hydraulic system — a sealed structure filled with liquid and including a piston system. One of the main advantages of hydraulics is excellent modulation, it allows you to very accurately control the braking force. On the other hand, such a drive is more complicated and more expensive than a mechanical one, and if the circuit is damaged and the hydraulic fluid leaks, the brakes become useless. Therefore, hydraulic systems are used relatively rarely, mainly in professional bicycles.

— Drum. Brakes using a special drum, inside which brake pads are installed; in bicycles, the role of the drum can be played directly by the wheel hub or a special part of the hub. Anyway, the pads are pressed against the drum from the inside, and the entire brake structure is closed. This is one of the main advantages of this option: the mechanism is protected from pollution, external factors such as dirt or snow practically do not affect the effectiveness of the brakes. In addition, the advantages of drum mechanisms include the fact that they practically do not require maintenance, do not wear out the rim and do not lose efficiency when it is bent. On the other hand, such brakes turn out to be quite bulky, and in terms of efficiency they are inferior to rim and even more so disc counterparts. Therefore, this option is found mainly in urban bikes.

— Roller. A variety of drum brakes (see above), in which the pressing of the brake pads to the drum is ensured by a special mechanism — roller. In this case, the brake drum is often performed separately from the bushing. Such solutions were developed as an attempt to combine the advantages of disc and drum brakes in one mechanism, and partly succeeded: roller systems are noticeably more powerful than classic drum brakes, they are well protected from dust and dirt, require virtually no maintenance and work effectively even with a curved rim. On the other hand, the weight, dimensions and price of such brakes turned out to be very significant, they worsen the roll and get quite hot with constant use; and protection against pollution is not as high quality as in drum systems.