Why are there so many different types of bicycles?
I realize that this is a bit rhetorical, but I'm asking it anyway so you answer the question for yourself .
Now you may have thought; Because there are so many different types of people... or maybe because people have different abilities, personalities, needs, desires, objectives and preferences. The bicycle has been around for over a hundred years, you would expect it to; evolve, change and diversify, etc... to meet the specific needs of those who will ride them.
Wikipedia lists over 100 different types of bicycles. Really, I counted them 🙂 The page titled List of bicycle types has links to many including all of what we would consider common bicycles; Road, Mountain, Hybrid, BMX and Tandem. And many uncommon; the Sideways bike, Hydrocycle, Footbike (think Fred Flintstone), the Tredle Bicycle and my favorite; the Clown Bike.
There are bikes designed for different sports; Road Racing, Downhill, MTB, Track and BMX. Bikes that are powered by your arms, core (rowing), legs pushing, legs pulling, just coasting and of course legs peddling in a circle.
Some bikes are ridden sitting up, leaning forward, some sitting or laying down. Bikes designed for one person, ridden by two (in any conceivable arrangement), three or more.
Specialty bikes for traveling through a large warehouse, a night on the town, a cruise on the beach or a 1,000 mile tour.
There's a bicycle for darn near every different ability, personality, need, desire, objective and preference.
But what if there was only one type of bicycle, that could be ridden only one way?
What would it look like?
Who would decide?
Would you buy or ride one - if it didn't match your ability, personality, need, desire, objective or preference?
Or would you just decide to walk?
John is a member on the AFS (Association of Fitness Studios) Advisory Council.
Holding certifications from; Schwinn, Heart Zones, Team ICG and Life Time Fitness, John's held regularly scheduled cycling classes between 1998 and 2015 when he moved to Florida.
When the weather permits, you'll find him riding and leading outdoor groups by himself or with his Tandem partner (wife) Amy.
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John,
Very thought provoking. Not sure what you are getting at but what comes to mind is an indoor cycle studio with a variety of bikes.
Imagine the possibilities. 🙂
For those data geeks that ride outside there will be bikes with power complete with data consoles that record the ride and link to the internet training site of their choice.
If one wants a more tactile experience, one can chose the bikes that feel like one is going up and down hills. Perhaps others would prefer that banked feeling of going around a corner at high speed. There are cycles for that.
For those curious exercisers there are bikes that only read RPM and heart rate.
And finally, the person who likes to check their brain at the door can chose, none of the above. Just spin the pedals, turn the red knob, listen to the music and do what you’re told.
Of course this visionary studio will need one more special addition. A bouncer at the door to break up the fisticuffs over who saved which bike first.
Who said variety is the spice of life anyway?
What was on your mind John, when you posted this?
Thanks Chuck,
Readers and ICI/PRO members may have noticed that I frequently post articles that are intended to cause the reader to contemplate and come to their own conclusions, rather than simply just telling them what to think.
Where do you think I was going?
I used a fixie to train; a cyclocross to commute, train in the hill and pull my kids all around and I have my road F1 bike just for special event there are all complementary.
Indoor I would love to have the opportunity to used different types of bike to: I still believe of the great effect the Spinner NXT give with the heavy flywheel without any computer or other stuff, I would love to use the Real ryder that involve more the core and can give a little feeling about the outdoor experience and a Keyser M3 for the real feeling sensation that you have on a real bike as the number of watt and other datas. All those bike althrough it is always riding a bike they can offer different perspective of training …