Types of bikes
City streets in summer showcase an assortment of bicycles: road bikes, mountain bikes, folding bikes, and cruisers. Each model carries distinct traits, so choosing a bike for urban trips requires weighing several factors.
“Consider where you will ride and what surfaces you’ll encounter: dedicated bike lanes, asphalt, gravel, park paths, or busy highways,” notes Sportmaster PRO expert Sergey Sklizkov. He explains that almost any bike can be a fit for city travel. For those who prefer simplicity, many sports shops offer so‑called city bikes.
“Most often these are single-speed, straight‑fit bikes with a high handlebar and a wide saddle. They glide well on smooth paved roads but lose comfort on potholes or varied terrain and may not be ideal for fast trips,” he adds. Road bikes are also popular for city riding.
According to Sklizkov, road models are crafted for smooth asphalt or stadium surfaces and tend to appeal to more athletic riders.
Urban riders who want to keep things simple might not need a road bike. “If the goal includes fast road riding, a road bike can be an excellent choice,” the expert notes.
Mountain bikes sometimes appear in the city too. While their primary use is trails and rough terrain, these bikes are versatile enough for urban streets. “They stand out for strong handling, a front suspension fork, and a sturdy frame,” explains the expert.
Hybrid bikes are another urban favorite, described by Sklizkov as a blend of mountain and road designs. “Like mountain bikes, hybrids come with a suspension fork and similar frame geometry. They typically use 28-inch wheels and smooth, narrow tires for city riding.”
Hybrids balance speed and comfort but trade some off-road capability when compared to pure road or mountain models. Still, they have become especially popular: they can traverse parks and pavement with ease and offer reliable performance on city roads.
In megacities, folding bikes attract many commuters for their portability and practical storage. Olga Alymova, head of the digital communications group in the Sport category at Sportmaster, highlights their appeal.
“Folding bikes are friendly to public transit and easy to store at home during the off-season. If they are taken to the office, storing them indoors is often simpler than leaving them in a building parking lot,” she explains. Sklizkov, however, cautions that folding designs can be less reliable and offer reduced handling, speed, and maneuverability. “With small wheels, they can wobble more on bumps,” he adds.
How is the quality of a bicycle evaluated?
When selecting a city bike, several criteria deserve attention. Sklizkov points to weight as a primary factor for urban use, since weight affects manual carrying through underpasses, entrances, and transit stairs. He suggests aluminum and chromoly (ChroMo) alloys for durability and ride quality.
“Aluminum keeps things light, while chromoly is sturdier and better at absorbing shocks thanks to its alloy properties. Carbon fiber bicycles exist, but they come at a premium price,” he explains.
Gear count is another consideration, with ten speeds generally sufficient for city riding. Some models even forego gears entirely. “Single-speed setups keep things simple. Some hubs and chains are designed for direct pedal-to-wheel connections, where stopping the pedaling can keep the wheel turning by inertia, and some bikes may lack brakes entirely in such configurations,” he notes.
Comfort also hinges on saddle shape and size, a factor that depends on riding style. “Flat saddles with ample width and padding support the back on rough surfaces,” Sklizkov says. A slightly sloped saddle with a medium width can be easier to pedal for longer rides. Olga Alymova suggests trying the saddle in a store, choosing based on pelvic structure. “A poorly chosen saddle can cause discomfort even on short trips,” she warns.
For urban riders, the bike’s geometry matters. A sportier frame takes longer to acclimate to, but a nearly straight seating position can be comfortable for casual urban riding. “A relatively direct drop in the frame is often preferred for everyday use, even if it isn’t the most aerodynamic setup,” Alymova advises.
Wheel size and width influence ride quality. Wider tires boost stability and comfort in varying conditions, while narrow tires favor speed and agility. Alymova notes that wide tires help in off-season riding by reducing the risk of falls, whereas narrow tires are lighter but more sensitive to surface imperfections. The practical approach is to carry two tire setups: one narrow and light for summer roads, and another with stronger tread for trails or dirt.
Frame size is another key factor. “When standing over the frame, there should be about 5 centimeters of clearance between the rider and the top tube,” Sklizkov says, adding that this space is crucial for safe dismounts. A separate test involves seating on the bike and ensuring the handlebars feel within comfortable reach, as frame size also affects the saddle-to-handlebar distance.
Used bikes require careful inspection. Bicycle maintenance expert Yuriy Yakhtin recommends a professional diagnostic before purchase. “You can inspect it yourself, but specialists will assess the bike’s condition and tell you which parts need replacement,” he says.
During a pre-purchase check, focus on the frame, especially welds, and inspect carbon frames for cracks when applicable. The steering column, bottom bracket, and bushings should be checked for play. Derailleurs and shifters are common failure points with potentially high replacement costs. A new cassette and chain are advisable after a purchase, and tires and inner tubes should be replaced to ensure safe riding from the start.