What are the main types of bicycles?

Question

what are the main types of bicycles and what other types of bicycles fall under them?

id love for it to have a brief/general description too..

thanks!

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Road bikes fall under two categories:
Racing
Touring

Fixed gear track bikes fall under Racing road bike, but is one speed and has no brakes.Racer stops by "Backpedalling".

Cyclocross- is a road bike with skinny, knobby tires. Cyclocross racing was around before mountain bikes were invented. Cyclocross bikes are often carried, or "portaged" on the racers shoulder.

Mountain bikes- have 26"x2.125 tires, and are meant for off-road trails.

Hybrid- is a moutain bike that has street tires (smoother tread) and fenders-meant for riding to work while dealing with city potholes.

English Racer- old fashioned, hard to find, three speed with 26"x1 3/8ths" tires, with baskets, it's the classic "paper boys bike".

Recumbent Bicycle
Categories:
LWB -Long Wheel Base
SWB- Short Wheel Base
USS- Under Seat Steering

Streamlined Recumbent Bicycles:
Lowracer-seat 4 inches from the ground
http://www.speed101.com
Velomobile-a "bike car" used for transportation in Northern Europe, enclosed from the weather
http://www.velomobile.de

Semi-Recumbent Bicycle
Also called a "Flat Foot" bike.
http://www.electrabikes.com

Lowriders, Choppers and Customs:
often recumbent or semi recumbent, but have a lot of style based on Motorcycles
http://bikerodnkustom.com

BMX-Bicycle Moto Cross
20 inch wheels

Utility Bicycles-
Have big cargo boxes for carrying goods around
http://www.bakfiets.nl/eng/models_cargo_…

Pedi-Cab Rickshaw- used for hauling passengers
http://www.velotaxi.com/

Ordinary Bicycle-before chain drive was invented, bicycles had the pedals on the front axle, and the wheel was very big (to make the bike go faster):
http://www.thewheelmen.org/

Source(s):

I've ridden 135,000 miles since 1972, I've seem 'em all.
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q119/…
(My Daughter's bike-One of a kind).

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

amazing and complete answer.. thanks man!

Answer 2

Road:
Race - speed demon, light weight
Touring - long range, lower speed, has fenders and racks
Cyclocross - on road/offroad racing hybrid, strong and light
Commuter - made for short city trips, comfortable, has fenders and racks

Mountain:
XC - light duty, made for light offroading
All-mountain - beefed up XC, better suspension, sometimes rear
Downhill - offroad racers, full suspension, very strong bike
Freeride - offroad trick bike, designed to land jumps, also very strong

BMX:
Mostly small framed, steel bikes made for tricks, no suspension.

Answer 3

1st answer is pretty much it. But you will hear many other terms that would fit along with commuter under "general type" I would guess, like:
cruiser
beach cruiser
paper boy
cross
sport
comfort
hybrid

and a few more I can't remember.