Characteristics of the Touring - Hybrid - Commuter Bicycles
- Hybrid bikes - are generally made of aluminium, for lightness. Have 27 gears, a suspension saddle or saddle post, larger diameter wheels and come with higher pressure cross over tyres which reduce rolling resistance. These tyres can be ridden on both road and fire trails if desired.
Hybrid bikes have fittings for a tyre pump, water bottles, panniers, saddle bags, adjustable stems and straight bars for comfort. Hybrids can be fitted with, shopping baskets, bags to carry lap top computers, shopping trailers, child seats and so on. They can be ridden to work, on social rides and events, participate in family rides, even carrying the picnic and bottle of wine.
Hybrids often have front shock absorbers with limited movement to iron out the bumps as you ride along. They can be fitted with tyres more suitable to fire trails if required because of their wider forks.
The Hybrid bike is the general purpose bike which does everything that you would want to do except race and ride off road like an MTB. The Hybrid is easily customised to suit its rider
- Touring bikes - share all of the attributes of the Hybrid bike and more. They are generally made out of a high quality steel for strength, have a longer wheel base to help iron out the bumps.
The touring bike is designed to carry panniers both on the front and rear forks. Can pull a trailer with little modification. Has comfortable seat and seating position, they come with at least 27 gears. The touring bike may also be capable of carrying as many as three water bottles.
Touring bike tyres are generally more robust and may have Kevlar walls to reduce punctures which can be used for both road and fire trail. Touring bikes are not as popular as Hybrids because of poor promotion over the years by the bicycle industry.
Touring bikes are very easily customised to suit the rider like the Hybrid and generally has a long life.
- Folding bikes - slip into the category of both Hybrid, Touring and Commuting bikes. At one time they were regarded as toys by the cycling world but now they are coming into their own.
Quality is at least as good as many of the top bike brands. Many folding bikes these days have the features's of both hybrid and touring bikes with the advantage of being able to fold them and put them in the back of the car and even take them on a plane. Of course there is a price increase for these additional feature.
Some folding bikes can be customised to meet the riders physical dimensions ensuring maximum comfort. They also have a vast range of components to choose from and may give you a range of colours to choose from.
The smaller wheels of the folding bike make them easier to fold and pack. They are also stronger than the larger wheels and take less energy to turn them giving them quick acceleration and more sensitive steering.
The gearing is worked out to give the same results as bicycles with larger wheels.
- Please use these links to compare types Mountain Bikes - Merida Road Bikes - Purchasing a bike
Services
Womens bikes, flat bar road bikes, commuter bikes, hybrid and folding bikes are available through The Pushbike Factory to meet your needs.
We can obtain a frame for you then custom build it to your requirements using components of your choice. Or simply modify a stock bicycle of your choice creating a bicycle which is a pleasure to ride for your enjoyment. If you intend to spend many hours in the saddle do it in comfort!
Maintenance / repairs
Much of our work involves minor repairs to bicycle i.e. cable replacement, punctures, replacing tubes in tyres, gear adjustment, brake adjustments, replacing chains. if the work load is low, we may be able to do it on the spot for you.
Bicycle Accessories
Accessory fitting includes the supply and installation of tyre pumps, gel handlebar grips, adjustable stems, comfort saddles, handlebars, bottle carriers, saddle bags, lights, child trailers, mud guards, panniers, pannier carriers, speedometers, helmets, locks and much much more.
Call in, we'll fix you up!
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