Meet the bicycles - Part I

If you think there are only three types of bikes: Road, Mountain and Hybrid....well, then think again!! There are 18 bicycle variants and in this post, I will introduce you to nine of them.  

1. The Mountain bike itself comes in three variants - Full Suspension, Hardtail and Downhill. Mtbs have sturdy, highly durable frames, suspension systems, wide-gauge treaded tyres, and cross-wise handlebars. 
2. The Road bikes or Racing bikes were referred to as 10 speed bikes for many years. Designed for racing on roads and tracks, they have a lightweight frame, narrow high pressured tyres and are designed to be as aerodynamic as possible.
3. Touring bikes are lighter than hybrids or mountain bikes but heavier than racing bikes. Their handlebars can be adjusted to drop down or be upright. They are fitted with eyelets for attaching front and rear panniers and have at least 21 gears to ride up the steepest of hills even with excess baggage. 
4. Hybrid bikes first appeared in the late 1980s. A cross between a mountain bike and a road bike, they are good for riding on multiple surfaces. They have a light frame, medium gauge wheels, and derailleur gearing with commonly 700 x 35 c tyres and 21-27 gears.
5. The Classic or the Dutch bike, is a utilitarian bicycle with mudguards or fenders, a rear carrier or rack, relaxed loop frame or geometry, an upright seating position. It generally has an ‘old-time’ look of the early 20th century.
6. The Fixed Gear  bike or the “Fixie”, as its commonly known is a single speed bike, which has a drivetrain and no freewheel mechanism so you can't freewheel or 'coast.. Simply put, whenever the bike is in motion the pedals will go around, so you're always pedaling on a fixed-gear bicycle. 
7. Time Trial/Triathlon bikes are the ultimate speed bikes built with aero handlebars and aero seatpost for a very streamlined riding position for usually short and flat time trials, where every second counts.
8. Cyclocross bikes are specialised off road racing bikes, which are light enough to be carried over obstacles but come with strong frames and cantilevered brakes to handle muddy rutted tracks. 
9. BMX bikes are the original offroaders designed as urban fun bikes and are as much about lifestyle as transport. They come with no gears and in various styles adapted for racing, ramps or jumping the bike.