List of bicycle types

This list gives an overview of different types of bicycles, categorized by function (racing, recreation, etc); number of riders (one, two, or more); by construction or frame type (upright, folding, etc); by gearing (single speed, derailleur gears, etc.); by sport (mountain biking, BMX, triathlon, etc); by means of propulsion (human-powered, motor-assisted, etc); and by rider position (upright, recumbent, etc). The list also includes miscellaneous types such as pedicabs, rickshaws, and clown bikes. The categories are not mutually exclusive; as such, a bike type may appear in more than one category. See also .

By function

* "Utility bicycles" are designed for commuting, shopping and running errands. They employ middle or heavy weight frames and tires and they often have internal hub gearing. To keep the rider clean, they often have full front and rear fenders and chain guards. To make the bike more useful as a commuter vehicle, they are often equipped with a basket. The riding position is usually upright.
* "Mountain bicycles" are designed for off-road cycling, and include other sub-types of off-road bicycles such as Cross Country (i.e."XC"), Downhill , and Freeride bicycles. All mountain bicycles feature sturdy, highly durable frames and wheels, wide-gauge treaded tyres, and cross-wise handlebars to help the rider resist sudden jolts. Some mountain bicycles feature various types of suspension systems (e.g. coiled spring, air or gas shock), and hydraulic or mechanical disc brakes. Mountain bicycle gearing is very wide-ranging, from very low ratios to high ratios, typically with 16 to 30 gears.
* "Racing bicycles" are designed for speed, and include road, time trial, and track bicycles. They have lightweight frames and components with minimal accessories, "dropped" handlebars to allow for an aerodynamic riding position, narrow high-pressure tires for minimal rolling resistance and multiple gears. Racing bicycles have a relatively narrow gear range, and typically varies from medium to very high ratios, distributed across 18, 20, 27 or 30 gears. The more closely spaced gear ratios allow racers to choose a gear which will enable them to ride at their optimum pedaling cadence for maximum efficiency.
** "Time trial bicycles" are similar to road bicycles but are differentiated by a more aggressive frame geometry that throws the rider into a more compact (i.e "aero") riding position. They also feature aerodynamic frames, wheels, and handlebars.
** "Track bicycles", intended for indoor or outdoor cycle tracks or velodromes, are exceptionally simple compared with road bikes. They have a single gear ratio, a fixed drivetrain (i.e. no freewheel), no brakes, and are minimally adorned with other components that would otherwise be typical for a racing bicycle.
* "Messenger bikes" are typically used for urgent deliveries of letters and small packages between businesses in big cities with heavily congested traffic. While any type of bike can be used, messenger bikes are often stripped-down track-style bicycles (especially in the US), with either a fixed or singlespeed freewheel drivetrains.
* "Touring bicycles" are designed for bicycle touring and long journeys. They are durable and comfortable, capable of transporting baggage, and may feature any type of gearing system.
* "Randonneur" or "Audax bicycles" are designed for randonnées or brevet rides, and fall in between racing bicycles and those intended for touring.
* "Recumbent bicycles", which are sometimes referred to as "Bents" in the US, are designed to maximise comfort and minimise wind resistance, because the rider in a supine or semi-supine position. Whereas most of the other types of bicycle in this section are designed around a ‘diamond frame’ geometry, where the pedals and chainset are located at the bottom of the bicycle and handlebars are at the front, recumbent bicycles (recumbents) generally use a “boom” and rear triangle combination with the pedals and chainset located at the front of the boom and the handlebars are located either “over seat” or “underseat” in the centre.
* "BMX bicycles" are designed for stunts, tricks, and racing on hilly dirt BMX tracks. The best models are made of titanium to make the parts lightweight and strong.
*"Cruiser bicycles" are heavy framed balloon tired bicycles. They are also called beach bikes or boulevardiers and are designed for comfortable travel over a variety of terrain. Cruisers were the bicycle standard from the 1930s until the 1950s, and they have become popular again in the 2000s. The traditional cruiser is single-speed with coaster brakes, but modern cruisers come with three to seven speeds, the latter with rim brakes. Aluminum frames have recently been used in Cruiser construction, cutting the weight in half.

By number of riders

*Most bicycles are designed for a single rider
* Bikes with child seats or single-child trailers can carry an adult and a child
* Bikes with double child trailers can carry an adult and two children
* A "tandem" or "twin" has two riders.
* A "triplet" has three riders; a "quadruplet" has four.
* The largest "multi-bike" had 40 riders. [http://www.4to40.com/recordbook/index.asp?category=&counter=149]

In most of these types the riders ride one behind the other (referred to as "tandem seating"). Exceptions are "The Companion", or "Sociable," a side-by-side two-person bike (that converted to a single-rider) built by the Punnett Cycle Mfg. Co. in Rochester, N. Y. in the 1890s. Another bicycle, the "Conference Bike", rented to tourists in Berlin carries seven people seated in a circle.

By construction type

* An old-fashioned "penny-farthing" or "ordinary" has one high wheel directly driven by the pedals and one small wheel.
* On an "upright bicycle", which is the most common type, the rider sits astride the saddle.
* On a "recumbent bicycle" the rider reclines or lies supine.
* A "Pedersen bicycle" has a bridge truss frame.
* A "folding bicycle" can be quickly folded for easy carrying, for example on public transport.
* A "Moulton Bicycle" has a traditional seating position, and utilises small diameter, high pressure tires and front and rear suspension.
* An "exercise bicycle" remains stationary; it is used for exercise rather than propulsion.
* An "electric bicycle" is primarily propelled by the rider; although this is assisted by the use of an electric motor, usually located in the hub of the front or rear wheel. The electric motor is powered by a battery which is secured to the frame. These are available in various technologies including Lead Acid, Nickel Cadmium, Nickel Metal Hydride, Lithium Ion and Lithium Polymer. Many of these are not classed as a motor vehicle, but as a bicycle if they comply with UK and European regulations.
* A staircycle has pedals arranged in a stair master fashion instead of circular. There is no seat as it is designed to be used upright much like a stairmaster.

By gearing

* "Internal hub gearing" is most common in European utility bicycles, usually ranging from three-speed bicycles to five and seven speed options. But hub gears with eight and fourteen speeds are available as well.
* "Shaft-driven bicycles" (chainless bicycles) use a driveshaft rather than a chain to power the rear wheel. These are often used as commuter bikes because they eliminate inconveniences associated with chains and pant-legs, but they are less efficient than chain-driven bicycles. Shaft-driven bicycles usually employ internal hub gearing.
* "Derailleur gears", featured on most racing and touring bicycles, offering from 5 to 30 speeds
* "Single-speed bicycles" and "Fixed-gear bicycles" have only one gear, and include all BMX bikes, children's bikes, city messenger bikes, and many others. The fixed gear has no freewheel mechanism, so whenever the bike is in motion the pedals continue to spin. An advantage of this is the pedals can also be used to slow down.
* "Retro-Direct bicycles" have two sprockets on the rear wheel. By back-pedalling, the secondary, usually lower, gear is engaged.

By sport

* "Road racing bicycles"
* "Time trial bicycles" are road bicycles with an aerodynamic features that are not permitted when the racers ride as a group, such as triathlon (foward pointing) bars and a disk rear wheel.
* "Track bicycles" are ultra-simple, lightweight fixed-gear bikes with no brakes, designed for track cycling on purpose-built cycle tracks, often in velodromes.
* "Cyclo-cross bicycles" are lightweight enough to be carried over obstacles, and robust enough to be cycled through mud.
* "XC mountain bike"
* "Down-hill racers" are a specialized type of mountain bike with a very strong frame, altered geometry, and long travel suspension. They are designed for use only on downhill courses.
* "BMX" (bicycle motocross) bicycles have small wheels and are used for BMX racing, as well as freestyle with tricks such as wheelies. Freestyle BMXers often ride dirt jumps and skatepark ramps, or in street-style BMXing where a rider navigates through a course of stairs and metal rails.
* "Triathlon" bicycles have seat posts that are closer to vertical than the seat posts on road racing bicycles. This concentrates the effort of cycling in the quadriceps muscles, sparing the other large muscles of the leg for the running segment of the race. Triathlon bicycles also have specialized handlebars known as triathlon bars or aero bars.
* "Bike trials riding" is a form of off-road cycling derived from motorcycle trials where one slowly negotiates man-made and natural obstacles.
* "Freeride" Bicycles in this category usually have very strong frames and dual-suspension with travel of six inches and up. They tend to have a shorter wheelbase than downhill bikes but otherwise have very similar geometry and components. Whereas downhill racers tend towards strong and light components, extreme freeriders tend not to worry about weight as much as strength of materials so it can withstand the huge drops and gaps that they typically perform.

By means of propulsion

* A "Human-powered transport" uses only human power:* A "pedal cycle", commonly known as a bicycle is driven by pedals.:* A "hand-cranked bicycle" or handcycle is driven by a hand crank.:* A "rowing bicycle" is driven by a rowing action using both arms and legs.:* A "Treadle" bicycle is driven by a reciprocating, not rotary, motion of the feet. [ [http://www.velovision.co.uk/mag/issue15/vv15cyclevision.pdf 38-43 CycleVISION ] ] :* A "bucking" bike (with one or more eccentric wheels) [cite web
url = http://bikecart.pedalpeople.com/gallery.html
title = Community Bike Cart Design: Eccentric wheel
accessdate = 2007-01-16] :* A balance bicycle (a kind of velocipede) uses "Flintstone" power, as the rider pushes themselves along with their feet on the ground.
* An "electric bicycle" is primarily propelled by the rider; although this is assisted by the use of an electric motor, usually located in the hub of the front or rear wheel. The electric motor is powered by a battery which is secured to the frame. These are available in various technologies including Lead Acid, Nickel Cadmium, Nickel Metal Hydride, Lithium Ion and Lithium Polymer. Many of these are not classed as a motor vehicle, but as a bicycle if they comply with UK and European regulations.
* A "motorized bicycle" provides motor assistance. (Not to be confused with motorcycles or Electric motorcycles and scooters.):* A "moped" propels the rider with a motor, but it usually includes bicycle pedals for human propulsion.
* A "Flywheel" uses stored kinetic energy.

By rider position

*Upright bicycle
*Recumbent bicycle
*Sideways bike

Other types

* "Chopper Bicycles" are low-rider bikes with extended forks designed to get attention and provide a smooth ride. There are factory-made chopper bicycles as well as custom-made bicycles.
* "Hybrid bicycles" are a compromise between the mountain and racing style bicycles which replaced European-style "utility bikes" in North America in the early 1990s. They have a light frame, medium gauge wheels, and derailleur gearing, and feature straight or curved-back, "touring" handlebars for more upright riding.
* "Cruiser bicycles" are designed for comfort, with curved back handlebars, padded seats, and "balloon" tires. Cruisers typically have minimal gearing and are often available for rental at beaches and parks which feature flat terrain.
* "Freight bicycles" are designed for transporting large or heavy loads. They often have a flat cargo area or large basket. Some freight bicyles also have cargo trailers.
* "Cycle rickshaws" (also called "pedicabs" or "trishaws") are used to transport passengers for hire.
* "Velomobiles" or "bicycle cars" provide enclosed pedal-powered transportation.
* "Clown bicycles" are designed for comedic effect or stunt riding. Some types of clown bicycles are:
** "bucking bike" (with one or more eccentric wheels)
**"tall bike" (often called an "upside down bike", constructed so that the pedals, seat and handlebars are all higher than normal) -- other types of tall bikes are made by welding two or more bicycle frames on top of each other, and running additional chains from the pedals to the rear wheel.
**"Come-apart bike", (essentially a unicycle, plus a set of handlebars attached to forks and a wheel).:Clown bikes are also built that are directly geared, with no freewheeling, so that they may be pedaled backwards. Some are built very small but are otherwise normal.
* Art bikes: Some bikes are built so that the frame appears to be made of junk or found objects: Bongo the Clown built several ridable parade bikes which were as much kinetic sculptures as transport.
* "Plastic bicycles" were an attempt in the early 1980s to introduce a bicycle made entirely out of plastic materials instead of metal.
* A "unicycle" is not a bicycle, as it has only one wheel, but it is related to bicycles, in that it uses a bicycle wheel and crank.

ee also

*List of bicycle manufacturers

References