Ian Browns Cycle Shop

I want to ride my bicycle

Commuter Bikes are mainly for those cyclists that stick to the roads although not necessarily exclusively. There are several sub classifications within the main category of commuter bikes.

Sports commuter

These bikes normally have the larger 700C size wheels with tyre widths of between 25-32mm only slightly wider than a racing bike's 23mm. The bikes are fast on the road and the better quality ones have the same Shimano or SRAM gears and transmissions as a road racing bike.

Urban

These bikes are essentially mountain bikes with smooth tyres. The wheels are generally 26" like a mountain bike and the brakes and gears are the same as a mountain bike too. These bikes cope with urban riding, kerbs, cycle paths etc. and can cope with a bit of trail riding as well.

Adventure

Perhaps the true Hybrid bike combining all the brakes, gears and front suspension of a mountain bike with the larger 700C size wheels for good on road performance but also happy on all the trails.

Recreation

These bikes have 700C wheels like the Adventure and Sports Commuter but are focused on a lightweight end product. Therefore they tend to have rigid forks fotr lightness although there are a few with front suspension forks. The gear range is recreational and comes from a mountain bike. These bikes are great to get to work on in the week but happy on the trail at the weekend.