Bike riding is great way to shape up by burning up to 500 calories per hour. It’s also an efficient way to burn excess calories, shed body fat and improve cardiovascular health. The motion of bicycling, especially uphill and high intensity cycling, is a great way to develop muscle and burn fat.
Bicycling also works to strengthen the core region of the body, the abdominal and back muscles. The beauty of developing more muscle is that it not only makes the body look leaner and stronger, but it raises the resting metabolic rate.
Choosing the right bicycle is not so easy. It actually get more complicated each year as the bicycle's technology keep improving. The first thing you have to determine is the type of bicycle that is right for your needs.
In general, bikes are broken down into three major categories:
- Road and Racing Bikes--As a general rule, road and racing are built for speed and longer distances on paved surfaces. Thinner tires, lightweight 29-inch (700c) wheels, and drop bars that allow for a more aerodynamic position are the norm. Most road bikes, regardless of price, offer many gears for tackling both hilly and flat terrain.
- Mountain Bikes--With their larger tires, hill-friendly gearing, and upright position, mountain bikes are very popular for all types of riding, both on pavement and off. Mountain bikes that are designed specifically for rugged trail use typically feature a suspension fork. Some may have rear suspension, as well. A quick change of the tires on any mountain bike--even one that you use regularly on trails--adds to its versatility and makes it a worthy street machine.
- Comfort/Cruiser Bikes--For tooling around on bike paths, light trails, or for cruising a quiet beach-side lane, comfort/cruiser bikes are the ticket. With a super-relaxed riding position, padded seats, and limited or no gearing, these bikes are made for enjoying the scenery and having fun with the family.
- Entry-level--You'll find a wide range of comfort and cruiser bikes in this category, as well as some lower-end mountain bikes and road bikes. Most will have steel frames and components that are designed to last for several years with frequent use.
- Mid-range--Bikes in this range may feature a lighter aluminum frame with mid-range components that keep performing after miles of use. If you're looking for a quality bike that is relatively lightweight and will stand up to abuse, this is the "sweet spot." Most serious commuter and touring bikes fall into this category, as do mid-range mountain bikes with a decent front suspension.
- High-end--Racers and serious enthusiasts who expect lightweight, high-performance components will want to stick to this category. For road bikes, exotic frame materials (carbon fiber, titanium) and ultralightweight components can add thousands to the price tag. Mountain bikes in this class often feature advanced front and rear suspension technology, as well as components designed to handle lots of rugged trail action.
Titan Fusion dual suspension all-terrain bicycle are one from many model found with good suspension system design. This all-terrain bike was constructed with a combination of durability and mobility in mind. The dual-fork suspension grips the street and the trail with confidence.
The GMC Denali Pro Road Bike |
GMC Denali Pro Road Bike (56cm Frame)
- High-quality road bike with lightweight 22-inch aluminum frame
- 16-speed Microshift drivetrain with integrated brake/shift levers
- Dual-pivot brake system helps you stop on a dime
- Aluminum rims with stainless-steel spokes; 700c x 25 tires
- Recommended height range of 5' 9" to 6' 1"
GMC Denali Pro road bike, the little brother to the popular Denali LTD. Built with the same pride and attention to detail as GMC trucks, the Denali Pro features a high-quality, handcrafted, lightweight 22-inch aluminum frame that delivers a stiff, responsive ride. The 16-speed Microshift drivetrain, meanwhile, is equipped with integrated brake/shift levers, so you can both brake and shift without moving your hands from the handlebar. The dual-pivot brake system, the bike stops on a dime should the terrain get rough. Other features include aluminum rims with stainless-steel spokes, 700c x 25 tires, an alloy crank, and a steel fork. The recommended height range of the Denali Pro is 5' 9" to 6' 1", and the standover height is 31.5 inches.
Takara Kabuto Single Speed Road Bike
Takara Kabuto Single Speed Road Bike |
The Kabuto is all about keeping things simple and getting it done without breaking the bank. At the heart of the Kabuto you-Feetll find a strong hand crafted steel frame with horizontal dropouts that can handle the abuse of the big city. City riders told us that they didn-Feett need derailleur-Feets so we listened and outfitted the Kabuto with a flip flop bug so you can run it as a fixed gear or in standard freewheel single speed mode without having to worry about adjustments to temperamental components. The 32 hole alloy wheels roll on loud Kenda 700 x 32 tires that are capable of withstanding less than perfect roads. Front and rear alloy side pull brakes round out this spectacular model.
Available on Amazon for $229.99
Diamondback Clarity 1 Women's Performance Hybrid Bike
The Clarity 1 combines the best features of hybrids and road bikes. |
Combining the comfort of a hybrid with the performance of a road bike, the Diamondback Clarity 1 women's performance hybrid bike is a terrific choice for commuting or getting in shape. The Clarity 1 is equipped with a heat-treated aluminum frame and an integrated aluminum aero straight-blade fork, giving this bike a platform that rides as fast as it looks. The bike's Shimano shifters and derailleurs, meanwhile, allow you to snap through the gears while you sail through the city. Add in a set of double-wall rims and you have a bike that delivers incredible performance at a practical price.
Specification:
- Frame: Clarity 6061-T6 butted aluminum performance hybrid with formed/hooded top tube, integrated head tube, DB snake stays, replaceable derailleur hanger, and water bottle mounts
- Fork: Clarity integrated Aero Alloy straight blade
- Rear shock: N/A
- Cranks: Suntour XCT-V2 with chain guard, 28/38/48t
- Bottom bracket: Sealed cartridge
- Front derailleur: Microshift M22
- Rear derailleur: Shimano Altus
- Shifter: Shimano EF-50 7-speed
- Brake levers: Shimano EF-50
- Brakes: Alloy linear
- Gear: Shimano HG30, 7-speed cassette (11-28t)
- Rims: 32H Weinmann ZAC-19, double wall
- Tires: Kenda Kwick Trax 700 x 32c
- Pedals: DB toe-clip-compatible platform
- Handlebar: DB 31.8mm low-rise alloy
- Stem: DB 3D forged 7A, 31.8mm
- Seatpost: Alloy micro adjust, 27.2mm
- Seat: DB women's-specific Devine performance hybrid with gel
- Headset: Integrated "Cane Creek" size drop-in ACB, 1-1/8 inches
- Colors: Quartz white metallic
- Chain: Integrated "Cane Creek" size drop-in ACB, 1-1/8 inches
- Hubset: 32H alloy QR (front), 32H alloy QR cassette (rear)
- Spokes: Black 14g stainless steel
- Grips: Devine Ergo 3D comfort
- Extras: Chainstay protector, water bottle mounts, clear coat, owner's manual
- Warranties: Lifetime on the frame, 5 years on the fork, 1 year on components, 1 year on labor for the frame, 30 days on labor for parts