Choosing even the simplest bike for yourself or your child is not as easy as it might seem at first glance, not to mention expensive and professional models.
The main criteria that a beginner is guided by when choosing a bike for themselves are personal preferences. Many people make this mistake, not realizing that an extra half an hour spent on the right purchase can save not only money, but also spent nerves in the future.
Let's try to figure out what exactly you should pay attention to when choosing a bike, compare expert opinions with customer reviews and identify the most distinguished models using the well-known Cross line as an example.
So, in order to make a choice and narrow down the huge range of bikes to a more or less acceptable number, the first step is to answer a few questions.
- Why do you need a Cross bike, how long and where do you plan to ride it?
- The issue price, i.e. your maximum budget.
- Your age, weight and height.
Riding style
Someone uses a bicycle for a simple walk around the city or village, and for someone it is vital to conquer all the ravines,curbs or stairs of the nearest supermarket. Over the 30-year history of cycling, many riding styles have formed, but the very first was the road.
In order to more specifically decide on the choice of a bike, you need to decide for yourself what kind of riding style you like.
Mountain bikes
One of the most popular styles of mountain biking is cross-country. Here you can conquer forest paths, steep descents and ascents, go on long bike trips or just do fitness. A cross-country bike in this case will be your best friend and helper.
But this style has another purpose - racing! Endurance, technicality, breakneck speed and elegance - that's what distinguishes cross-country from other styles. Believe me, the start with a hundred of the same fans as you will fill you with a mass of indescribable sensations and will be remembered for a long time.
Cross-country mountain biking has both pros and cons.
Dignity:
- versatility;
- availability (from 12,000 rubles);
- rich assortment of spare parts;
- possibility of modification.
Flaws:
- weight (12-15 kg);
- does not behave confidently on paved surfaces;
- The functionality and aesthetics of the bike are primarily focused on sporty riding, not comfort.
Interesting and noteworthy is the Stels Cross 700С model.
The frame of the bike is made of aluminum alloy, and the fork has excellent shock absorption. Wheel diameter - 28 inches at 24 speeds. It is the good build and material quality that all Cross bikes owe.
Reviews about them are mostly positive. The only thing that many buyers complained about was the uncomfortable saddle, but after careful adjustment, the problem was more or less solved.
Prices for this model can vary from 12,000 to 15,000 depending on the store and optional equipment.
City bikes
One of the main positive features of a city bike is a good roll on the paved surface along with comfort and convenience. Not everyone likes to conquer ravines, climbs and race, sometimes you just want to ride for your pleasure through city streets or parks.
The main fans of urban bikes are people who keep fit or use it as a banal means of transportation. Looking at the streets of Europe, you can see that literally every second participant in the movement rides a bicycle.
For city streets or for fitness, the best option would be a Cross bike without “bells and whistles” and with a good front shock absorber. Some people are attracted by practicality, which means the lightness and compactness of the bike, while others are attracted by speed with smooth tires and large wheel diameters.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- comfort (high handlebar, wide saddle, soft landing);
- excellent driving performance onground and paved surface;
- choice of models (speed or comfort).
Cons:
- rigid frame;
- narrow wheels (not for dirt and broken roads).
A bright representative of the city bike - Bulls Cross Bike. The bike has 28-inch wheels, a fork with a shock absorber and 21 speeds with a weight of 14 kg. The main parts are made of aluminum alloy and fit well.
Reviews about the model are varied, but mostly positive. It performs well in city traffic, as well as on long trips out of town. The owners of the bike consider poor cross-country ability after rain and on coarse ground as a small minus, but only the Cross children's bike suffers from a characteristic problem of cross-country ability.
The price of a Cross Bike varies within 20,000 rubles. with a slight variation and depends on the configuration and pricing policy of the store.
Touring bikes
The hallmark of these bikes are large 28-inch wheels that provide excellent speed and excellent roll. Thanks to them, the Cross bike copes well with both asph alt and packed ground.
On tourist models, you will spend much less energy riding through parks, squares or field roads, and in the city you can easily get to work or just take a walk. With all this, the bike is considered sports, i.e. aerodynamic design and saddle designed for high-speed riding on relatively flatcoatings. To conquer uneven ground, the bike has a fork with a small travel of 50-80 mm.
Pros and cons
Dignity:
- versatility (combination of urban and mountain qualities);
- excellent rolling on almost any surface;
- much more off-road than city bikes and slightly more mountain bikes;
- lightness of the whole structure.
Flaws:
- maneuverability leaves much to be desired;
- high price.
The 2015 Cube Cross is the best model in terms of price and quality. It is equipped with a hydroformed aluminum alloy frame, adjustable fork, dual rims on wheels and hydraulic brakes.
The bike is versatile, designed specifically for those who love speed along with comfort. The bike can be used every day for commuting and shopping, as well as for a long trip with friends.
Reviews of bikers about this model are extremely positive with the only caveat - the price. But the bike is worth the money, it will give you a lot of pleasant experiences.
The cost in the basic configuration starts from 55,000 rubles. and depending on the "bells and whistles" can reach up to 190,000 rubles.
Road bikes
This type of bike is designed to develop maximum speed. Their element is smooth highways and roads. "Road cars" are distinguished by thin wheels, inflated up to 8 atmospheres to minimize rolling friction alongasph alt surface. Light frame, light saddle, thin tubes and everything to make it as airy as possible, because this bike is all about speed (some models can weigh up to 5kg).
There is absolutely no cushioning here, so on smooth roads, these bikes have the maximum possible roll. Naturally, due to the lack of depreciation, driving on rough roads will be a problem, and on mud - an impossible thing.
Positive and negative qualities
Pros:
- speed;
- lightness.
Cons:
- extremely picky about the quality of the road surface;
- impracticality.
The rather popular model Merida Cross M is interesting. The bike, reviews of which are very flattering, is offered at a relatively low price. The bike has an aluminum base, ultra-thin frame tubes, a lightweight sports saddle and 20 speeds.
Cyclists sometimes complain about the lack of saddle adjustment, but if you adjust the seat along with the handlebars, the problem is minimized.
Depending on the type of frame, the price also changes. The package may include a steel, aluminum, titanium or carbon frame. Accordingly, the cost varies in a wide range from 20,000 to 70,000 rubles.
Budget
The lower price limit of more or less acceptable models is a little over 12,000 rubles.
12,000 – 18,000 RUB
For this money you will get the youngest bike in the lineSteal Cross. All accessories and spare parts are designed for an inexperienced consumer with little experience. Models are by and large can be called touring, and the minimum price threshold will provide you with a quality bike that should not cause any serious problems.
If the price tag of the model you like is below 12,000 rubles, then you should be wary, because miracles do not happen, and such a price may hide low-quality materials, poor staffing and inept assembly. As a result, after purchasing a bike, you risk constant investments in repairs and maintenance.
18,000 – 50,000 RUB
This group belongs to the golden mean. From the bar of 20,000 rubles. usually the most popular and sought-after Cross bikes start. Photo and video materials for the selection and subsequent operation of bikes in this category are produced by manufacturers more than enough, so it can be designated as “seriously and for a long time.”
Models feature lighter and better construction, disc brakes and good tires. They are reliable, comfortable and beautiful.
50,000 – 200,000 RUB
This segment is for real racing cars. Suspension on both wheels, carbon, exclusive finishes, only the best components - all these and many other nuances make your purchase unique and solid.
This also includes great design and an unforgettable experience even from owning this bike, not to mention walking on such a bike. Vivid examples: Cross M model, Cube bikeCross and Cross Professional.
Frame size
As a rule, the manufacturer tries to release each bike model with different frame sizes for a more comfortable choice, depending on the height of the person. It is also worth noting that frame sizes in stores may differ not only in height, but also in length.
Some difficulties arise when the seller, for the sake of either universality or some other principles, measures the height in different ways, so it often happens that a size of 20 inches can actually correspond to 19 or 21 inches.
In this regard, when choosing a bike, special attention should be paid, in addition to the numerical one, to the letter designations of sizes. It is sometimes easier to navigate in them than in an inch ruler.
| Height, cm | Letter ruler | Inch ruler |
| 140-155 | XS | 13-14 |
| 150-165 | S | 15-16 |
| 160-175 | M | 17-18 |
| 170-185 | L | 19-20 |
| 180-195 | XL | 21-22 |
| 190-… | XXL | 23-24 |
1 inch=2.54 cm.
Some useful tips
When choosing a frame, do not get hung up on any specific size, an error of one inch is not so critical and can be completely corrected by local bike adjustment (handlebar, seat).
Be sure to consider your driving style. If you prefer slow walkspark or choose a bike for an elderly person, then you should stop at a small frame size, in which case the back will be in an upright position and not so tired.
