Anticipating these queries, I’ve made a big effort to test as many hybrids and city bikes as I can-not only because they’re great for commuting, fitness, and fun, but also because these are the kinds of bikes that my non-bike-geeky friends and family are most interested in buying. It’s a great, low-maintenance option if you can afford it, though it adds a small amount of weight.Īs a former bike messenger, bike tour leader, and writer for bike publications, I’ve been asked to recommend a lot of bikes over the years. A belt drive is also easy to use (one shifter controls everything) and, perhaps best of all, lets you change gears while sitting still at a stop light.
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It’s incredibly reliable and very clean, says Andrew Lumpkin, CEO of Spot Bikes. Belt Drives and Internally Geared HubsĪ belt drive (which takes the place of a chain) with an internally geared hub (where all the gearing is packaged inside the rear hub’s shell and sealed from the elements) requires less maintenance than a traditional chain-and-derailleur drivetrain. A single-ring option simplifies shifting and cuts down on maintenance but may not have the range you need for climbing. Bikes with three front chainrings typically cost less, but the third ring can make shifting less precise. Having more gears in the back allows you to fine-tune your shifting so you can keep a steady cadence, no matter the terrain.
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Most fitness bikes come with two chainrings in the front and between nine and 11 cogs in the rear. Some lower-cost bikes may come with cable-actuated disc brakes, a cheaper alternative that’s not quite as powerful or as low maintenance as a fully hydraulic disc-brake system but that delivers similar all-weather performance and reliability.