List of bicycle types
Encyclopedia
This list gives an overview of different types of bicycle
s, categorized by function (racing, recreation, etc.);
number of riders (one, two, or more); by construction or frame type (upright, folding, etc.); by gearing (single speed, derailleur gears, etc.); by sport (mountain biking, BMX, triathlon, etc.); by means of propulsion (human-powered, motor-assisted, etc.); and by rider position (upright, recumbent, etc.). The list also includes miscellaneous types such as pedicabs, rickshaws, and clown bikes. The categories are not mutually exclusive; as such, a bike type may appear in more than one category.
The main categories of bicycles in relation to their intended use are:
In most of these types the riders ride one behind the other (referred to as tandem seating
). Exceptions are "The Companion", or "Sociable," a side-by-side two-person bike (that converted to a single-rider) built by the Punnett Cycle Mfg. Co. in Rochester, N. Y. in the 1890s. On the Conference Bike, riders sit in a circle facing each other. On the Busycle, the captain faces forwards, one row of stokers faces left, and one row faces right.
and other components with bicycles.
to the drive wheel with a bicycle chain
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
s, categorized by function (racing, recreation, etc.);
number of riders (one, two, or more); by construction or frame type (upright, folding, etc.); by gearing (single speed, derailleur gears, etc.); by sport (mountain biking, BMX, triathlon, etc.); by means of propulsion (human-powered, motor-assisted, etc.); and by rider position (upright, recumbent, etc.). The list also includes miscellaneous types such as pedicabs, rickshaws, and clown bikes. The categories are not mutually exclusive; as such, a bike type may appear in more than one category.
By function
- Road bicycleRoad bicycleThe term road bicycle is used to describe bicycles built for traveling at speed on paved roads. Some sources use the term to mean racing bicycle...
s are designed for traveling at speed on paved roads.- Touring bicycleTouring bicycleA touring bicycle is a bicycle designed or modified to handle bicycle touring. To make the bikes sufficiently robust, comfortable and capable of carrying heavy loads, special features may include a long wheelbase , frame materials that favor flexibility over rigidity , heavy duty wheels , and...
s are designed for bicycle touringBicycle touringBicycle touring is cycling over long distances – prioritizing pleasure and endurance over utility or speed. Touring can range from single day 'supported' rides — e.g., rides to benefit charities — where provisions are available to riders at stops along the route, to multi-day...
and long journeys. They are durable and comfortable, capable of transporting baggage, and have a wide gear range. - Randonneur or AudaxAudax (cycling)Audax is a cycling sport in which participants attempt to cycle long distances within a pre-defined time limit. Audax is a non-competitive sport: success in an event is measured by its completion. Audax has its origins in Italian endurance sports of the late nineteenth century, and the rules were...
bicycles are designed for randonnéeRandonnéeRandonnée can refer to:* Brevet , an organized long-distance bicycle ride* Isle of Wight Randonnee , a yearly cycling event held on the Isle of Wight* Ski touring, a form of backcountry skiing...
s or brevet rides, and fall in between racing bicycles and those intended for touring in terms of frame geometry and weight. - Hybrid bicycleHybrid bicycleA hybrid bicycle is a bicycle designed for general-purpose utility and commuting on a wide variety of surfaces, including paved and unpaved roads, paths and trails...
s are a compromise between the mountain and racing style bicycles which replaced European-style utility bikes in North America in the early 1990s. They have a light frame, medium gauge wheels, and derailleur gearing, and feature straight or curved-back, touring handlebars for more upright riding.- Trekking bike - a hybrid with all the accessories necessary for bicycle touring - mudguards, pannier rack, lights etc.
- Cross bike - a road bicycle frame similar to a racing or sport/touring bicycle, and are normally equipped with nearly flat handlebars to provide a more upright riding position than a racing or sport/touring bike intended for general recreational and utility use.
- Commuter - designed specifically for commuting over short or long distances. It typically features derailleur gearing, 700c wheels with fairly light 1.125-inch (28 mm) tires, a carrier rack, full fenders, and a frame with suitable mounting points for attachment of various load-carrying baskets or panniers. It sometimes, though not always has an enclosed chainguard to allow a rider to pedal the bike in long pants without entangling them in the chain. A well-equipped commuter bike typically features front and rear lights for use in the early morning or late evening hours encountered at the start or end of a business day
- City bike - optimized for the rough-and-tumble of urban commuting. The city bike differs from the familiar European city bike in its mountain bike heritage, gearing, and strong yet lightweight frame construction. It usually features mountain bike-sized (26-inch) wheels, a more upright seating position, and fairly wide 1.5 - 1.95-inch (38 – 50 mm) heavy belted tires designed to shrug off road hazards commonly found in the city, such as broken glass. Using a sturdy welded chromoly or aluminum frame derived from the mountain bike, the city bike is more capable at handling urban hazards such as deep potholes, drainage grates, and jumps off city curbs. City bikes are designed to have reasonably quick, yet solid and predictable handling, and are normally fitted with full fenders for use in all weather conditions. A few city bikes may have enclosed chainguards, while others may be equipped with suspension forks, similar to mountain bikes. City bikes may also come with front and rear lighting systems for use at night or in bad weather.
- Comfort bike - essentially modern versions of the old roadster and sports roadster bicycle,[1] though modern comfort bikes are often equipped with derailleur rather than hub gearing. They typically have a modified mountain bike frame with a tall head tube to provide an upright riding position, 26-inch wheels, and 1.75 or 1.95-inch (45 – 50 mm) smooth or semi-slick tires. Comfort bikes typically incorporate such features as front suspension forks, seat post suspension with wide plush saddles, and drop-center, angled North Road style handlebars designed for easy reach while riding in an upright position.
- Flat bar road bikeFlat bar road bikeA flat bar road bike is a relatively new style of bicycle. It is simply a road bike often fitted with MTB-style shifters, brake levers and a flat handlebar. This combination provides a light, fast bike with a more upright and neutral riding position. A flat bar road bike is most commonly used for...
s are road bikes fitted with MTB-style shifters, brake levers and a flat handlebar. They fit into the continuum between hybrids and road bikes. - Utility bicycleUtility bicycleA utility bicycle is a bicycle designed for practical transportation, as opposed to bicycles which are primarily designed for recreation and competition, such as touring bicycles, racing bicycles, sport/training bicycles, and mountain bicycles. The vast majority of bicycles can be found in the...
s are designed for commutingBicycle commutingBicycle commuting is the use of a bicycle to travel from home to a place of work or study — in contrast to the use of a bicycle for sport, recreation or touring....
, shopping and running errandsUtility cyclingUtility cycling encompasses any cycling not done primarily for fitness, recreation such as cycle touring, or sport such as cycle racing, but simply as a means of transport...
. They employ middle or heavy weight frames and tires and they often have internal hub gearHub gearA hub gear, internal-gear hub, or just gear hub is a gear ratio changing system commonly used on bicycles that is implemented with planetary or epicyclic gears. The gears and lubricants are sealed within the hub-shell of the bicycle's rear wheel, as opposed to derailleur gears, where the gears and...
ing. To keep the rider clean, they often have full front and rear fenders and chain guards. To make the bike more useful as a commuter vehicle, they are often equipped with a basket. The riding position varies from upright to very upright.- Roadster bicycleRoadster (bicycle)A roadster, aka English roadster, is a type of utility bicycle once common in Britain and still very common in Asia, Africa, Denmark and the Netherlands, however, during the past several years, traditionally styled roadster bicycles have gained considerable popularity in the United States and...
s - Dutch bicycleDutch bicycleAn omafiets is the name of a traditional and popular form of roadster bicycle used in the Netherlands. In Frisia these bicycles are also called widdofyts...
s - European city bicycleEuropean city bikeA European city bike, or simply city bike is a bicycle designed for frequent short, moderately paced rides through relatively flat urban areas...
s
- Roadster bicycle
- Freight bicycleFreight bicycleFreight bicycles, carrier cycles, freight tricycles, cargo bikes, or bakfietsen, are human powered vehicles designed and constructed specifically for transporting large loads. Vehicle designs include a cargo area consisting of a steel tube carrier, an open or enclosed box, a flat platform, or a...
s are designed for transporting large or heavy loads. They often have a flat cargo area or large basket. Some freight bicycles also have cargo trailers.- Porteur bicyclePorteur bicycleA porteur bicycle is a kind of cargo bicycle designed for carrying cargo loads on a platform rack attached to the fork. Porteur bicycles are similar to butcher's bikes, baker's bikes, low gravity bicycles and delibikes, but they include design differences which make them a distinct category...
s are a kind of cargo bicycle designed for carrying cargo loads on a platform rack attached to the fork. - Longtail bicyclesLongtail (bicycle)Longtail is a type of bicycle with a longer than usual frame wheelbase at the rear compared to a standard utility bicycle...
are a type of bicycle (specifically a type of longbike) with a longer than usual frame wheelbase at the rear compared to a standard utility bicycle. - Boda-bodaBoda-bodaBoda-boda also known as a Poda-Poda in some parts of Africa is a bicycle taxi, originally in East Africa . The bicycle rider can also be called boda-boda...
, also known as a Poda-Poda in some parts of Africa, is a bicycle taxi.
- Porteur bicycle
- Messenger bikesBicycle messengerBicycle messengers are people who work for courier companies carrying and delivering items by bicycle. Bicycle messengers are most often found in the central business districts of metropolitan areas...
are typically used for urgent deliveries of letters and small packages between businesses in big cities with heavily congested traffic. While any type of bike can be used, messenger bikes are often stripped-down track-style bicycles (especially in the US), with either a fixed or singlespeed freewheel drivetrains.
- Touring bicycle
- Mountain bicycles (also called All Terrain Bicycle) are designed for off-road cycling. All mountain bicycles feature sturdy, highly durable frames and wheels, wide-gauge treaded tires, and cross-wise handlebars to help the rider resist sudden jolts. Some mountain bicycles feature various types of suspension systemsBicycle suspensionA bicycle suspension is the system or systems used to suspend the rider and all or part of the bicycle in order to protect them from the roughness of the terrain over which they travel...
(e.g. coiled spring, air or gas shock), and hydraulic or mechanical disc brakes. Mountain bicycle gearing is very wide-ranging, from very low ratios to mid ratios, typically with 16 to 28 gears.- 29ers are mountain bikes that are built to use 700c or ISO 622 mm wheels.
- Downhill bikeDownhill bikeA downhill bike is a full suspension bicycle designed for downhill cycling on particularly steep, rocky trails. Unlike a typical mountain bike, durability and stability are the most important design features, compared to lighter, more versatile cross-country bikes...
s are a specialized type of mountain bike with a very strong frame, altered geometry, and long travel suspension. They are designed for use only on downhill courses. - FreerideFreerideFreeride is a discipline of mountain biking closely related to downhill cycling and dirt jumping focused on tricks, style, and technical trail features. It is now recognized as one of the most popular disciplines within mountain biking....
bicycles in this category usually have very strong frames and dual-suspension with travel of six inches and up. They tend to have a shorter wheelbase than downhill bikes but otherwise have very similar geometry and components. Whereas downhill racers tend towards strong and light components, extreme freeriders tend not to worry about weight as much as strength of materials so it can withstand the huge drops and gaps that they typically perform.
- Military bicyclesSwedish military bicycleSwedish military bicycles , or Swedish army bicycles, have been used in the Swedish military for over a century.-History:The first bicycles in the Swedish military were privately owned or bought for testing purposes. Bicycle infantry were first introduced in 1901, when a Gotlandic infantry...
- Racing bicycleRacing bicycleA racing bicycle, also known as a road bike, is a bicycle designed for competitive road cycling, a sport governed by according to the rules of the Union Cycliste Internationale...
s (aka road bicycles) are designed for speed, and the sport of competitive road racingRoad bicycle racingRoad bicycle racing is a bicycle racing sport held on roads, using racing bicycles. The term "road racing" is usually applied to events where competing riders start simultaneously with the winner being the first to the line at the end of the course .Historically, the most...
. They have lightweight frames and components with minimal accessories, drop handlebars to allow for a powerful and aerodynamic riding position, narrow high-pressure tires for minimal rolling resistance and multiple gears. Racing bicycles have a relatively narrow gear range, and typically varies from medium to very high ratios, distributed across 18, 20, 27 or 30 gears. The more closely spaced gear ratios allow racers to choose a gear which will enable them to ride at their optimum pedaling cadence for maximum efficiency.- Time trial bicycleTime trial bicycleA time trial bicycle is a racing bicycle designed for use in an individual or team time trials raced on roads. Special time trial bikes also exist for use in a velodrome....
s are similar to road bicycles but are differentiated by a more aggressive frame geometry that throws the rider into (i.e. "aero") riding position, sacrificing manoeuvrability for aerodynamics. They also feature aerodynamic frames, wheels, and handlebars. - TriathlonTriathlonA triathlon is a multi-sport event involving the completion of three continuous and sequential endurance events. While many variations of the sport exist, triathlon, in its most popular form, involves swimming, cycling, and running in immediate succession over various distances...
bicycles have seat posts that are closer to vertical than the seat posts on road racing bicycles. This concentrates the effort of cycling in the quadriceps muscles, sparing the other large muscles of the leg for the running segment of the race. Triathlon bicycles also have specialized handlebars known as triathlon bars or aero bars. - Track bicycleTrack bicycleA track bicycle or track bike is a bicycle optimized for racing at a velodrome or outdoor track. Unlike road bicycles, the track bike is a fixed-gear bicycle and so has a single gear and neither freewheel nor brakes. Tires are narrow and inflated to high pressure to reduce rolling resistance...
s, intended for indoor or outdoor cycle tracks or velodromeVelodromeA velodrome is an arena for track cycling. Modern velodromes feature steeply banked oval tracks, consisting of two 180-degree circular bends connected by two straights...
s, are exceptionally simple compared with road bikes. They have a single gear ratio, a fixed drivetrain (i.e. no freewheel), no brakes, and are minimally adorned with other components that would otherwise be typical for a racing bicycle. - Cyclo-cross bicycleCyclo-cross bicycleA cyclo-cross bicycle is a bicycle specifically designed for the rigors of a cyclo-cross race. Cyclo-cross bicycles roughly resemble the racing bicycles used in road racing...
s are designed for cyclo-cross racing, and are similar to road racing bicycles with wider tire clearance and often different brake setup.
- Time trial bicycle
- BMX bikeBMX bikeA BMX bike or BMX is the name of a popular bicycle used for both casual use and sport, and designed mainly for dirt and motocross cycling...
s are designed for stunts, tricks, and racing on hilly dirt BMX tracks. They have a single gear ratio with a freewheel and are built with smaller frames and wheels with wider, treaded tires. - Cruiser bicycleCruiser bicycleCruiser bicycles, also known as beach cruisers, combine balloon tires, upright seating posture, single-speed drivetrains, and straightforward steel construction with expressive styling...
s are heavy framed bicycles designed for comfort, with curved back handlebars, padded seats, and balloon tires. They are also called beach bikes or boulevardiers and are designed for comfortable travel. Cruisers were the bicycle standard in the USA from the 1930s until the 1950s. The traditional cruiser is single-speed with coaster brakes, but modern cruisers come with three to seven speeds. Aluminum frames have recently been used in Cruiser construction, lowering weight. Cruisers typically have minimal gearing and are often available for rental at beaches and parks which feature flat terrain. - Cycle rickshawCycle rickshawThe cycle rickshaw is a small-scale local means of transport; it is also known by a variety of other names such as velotaxi, pedicab, bikecab, cyclo, becak, trisikad, or trishaw or, simply, rickshaw which also refers to auto rickshaws, and the, now uncommon, rickshaws pulled by a person on foot...
s (also called pedicabs or trishaws) are used to transport passengers for hire. - Motorized bicycleMotorized bicycleA motorized bicycle, motorbike, cyclemotor, or vélomoteur is a bicycle with an attached motor and transmission used either to power the vehicle unassisted, or to assist with pedaling. Since it always retains both pedals and a discrete connected drive for rider-powered propulsion, the motorized...
motorbike, cyclemotor, or vélomoteur is a bicycle with an attached motor and transmission used either to power the vehicle unassisted, or to assist with pedaling. Since it always retains both pedals and a discrete connected drive for rider-powered propulsion, the motorized bicycle is in technical terms a true bicycle, albeit a power-assisted one. However, for purposes of governmental licensing and registration requirements, the type may be legally defined as a motor vehicle, motorcycle, moped, or a separate class of hybrid vehicle. Powered by a variety of engine types and designs, the motorized bicycle formed the prototype for what would later become the motorcycle. - An electric bicycleElectric bicycleAn electric bicycle, also known as an e-bike, is a bicycle with an electric motor used to power the vehicle. Electric bicycles typically cost between and , use rechargeable batteries and can travel up to...
allows the rider the choice of pedalling or 'coasting'; the bicycle being propelled by an electric motor, which is frequently incorporated into the front or rear hub. Some electric bicycles allow these two functions to be carried out simultaneously, and some motors will match the power the rider has contributed through the pedals; this type of e-bike more commonly known as a Pedelic (pedal electric). Electric bicycles primarily use lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries.
By sport
- Road racing bicycleRoad bicycleThe term road bicycle is used to describe bicycles built for traveling at speed on paved roads. Some sources use the term to mean racing bicycle...
s - Time trial bicycleTime trial bicycleA time trial bicycle is a racing bicycle designed for use in an individual or team time trials raced on roads. Special time trial bikes also exist for use in a velodrome....
s are road bicycles with an aerodynamic features that are not permitted when the racers ride as a group, such as aero bars and a disk rear wheel. - TriathlonTriathlonA triathlon is a multi-sport event involving the completion of three continuous and sequential endurance events. While many variations of the sport exist, triathlon, in its most popular form, involves swimming, cycling, and running in immediate succession over various distances...
bicycles have seat posts that are closer to vertical than the seat posts on road racing bicycles. This concentrates the effort of cycling in the quadriceps muscles, sparing the other large muscles of the leg for the running segment of the race. Triathlon bicycles also have specialized handlebars known as triathlon bars or aero bars. - Track bicycleTrack bicycleA track bicycle or track bike is a bicycle optimized for racing at a velodrome or outdoor track. Unlike road bicycles, the track bike is a fixed-gear bicycle and so has a single gear and neither freewheel nor brakes. Tires are narrow and inflated to high pressure to reduce rolling resistance...
s are ultra-simple, lightweight fixed-gearFixed-gear bicycleA fixed-gear bicycle is a bicycle that has no freewheel, meaning it cannot coast, as the pedals are always in motion when the bicycle is moving....
bikes with no brakes, designed for track cyclingTrack cyclingTrack cycling is a bicycle racing sport usually held on specially built banked tracks or velodromes using track bicycles....
on purpose-built cycle tracks, often in velodromeVelodromeA velodrome is an arena for track cycling. Modern velodromes feature steeply banked oval tracks, consisting of two 180-degree circular bends connected by two straights...
s. - Path RacerPath RacerA Path Racer, Road-Path, or Road-Track is a bicycle designed for road and track cycling. Path is the old-fashioned Victorian/Edwardian cycling term for track. Path Racers are characterized by high bottom bracket, little tire clearance, and no brake mounts...
s are an antique type of track bicycle. - Cyclo-crossCyclo-crossCyclo-cross is a form of bicycle racing. Races typically take place in the autumn and winter , and consists of many laps of a short course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and...
bicycles are lightweight enough to be carried over obstacles, and robust enough to be cycled through mud. - BMX (bicycle motocross) bicycles have small wheels and are used for BMX racingBMX racingBMX racing is a type of off-road bicycle racing. The format of BMX was derived from motocross racing. BMX bicycle races are sprint races on purpose-built off-road single-lap race tracks. The track usually small a starting gate for up to eight racers, a groomed, serpentine, dirt race course made of...
, as well as freestyle with tricks such as wheelieWheelieIn vehicle acrobatics, a wheelie is a vehicle maneuver in which the front wheel or wheels come off the ground due to extreme torque being applied to the rear wheel or wheels. Wheelies are usually associated with bicycles and motorcycles, but can be done with other vehicles such as cars, especially...
s. Freestyle BMXFreestyle BMXFreestyle BMX is a synonym for BMX stunt riding, a sport branch that hails from extreme sports. It consists of six disciplines: street, park, vert, trails, dirt and flatland .-History:...
ers often ride dirt jumps and skatepark ramps, or in street-style BMXing where a rider navigates through a course of stairs and metal rails. - Mountain bikeMountain bikeA mountain bike or mountain bicycle is a bicycle created for off-road cycling. This activity includes traversing of rocks and washouts, and steep declines,...
s - Bike trials riding is a form of off-road cycling derived from motorcycle trials where one slowly negotiates man-made and natural obstacles.
- Downhill bikeDownhill bikeA downhill bike is a full suspension bicycle designed for downhill cycling on particularly steep, rocky trails. Unlike a typical mountain bike, durability and stability are the most important design features, compared to lighter, more versatile cross-country bikes...
s are a specialized type of mountain bike with a very strong frame, altered geometry, and long travel suspension. They are designed for use only on downhill courses. - FreerideFreerideFreeride is a discipline of mountain biking closely related to downhill cycling and dirt jumping focused on tricks, style, and technical trail features. It is now recognized as one of the most popular disciplines within mountain biking....
bicycles in this category usually have very strong frames and dual-suspension with travel of six inches and up. They tend to have a shorter wheelbase than downhill bikes but otherwise have very similar geometry and components. Whereas downhill racers tend towards strong and light components, extreme freeriders tend not to worry about weight as much as strength of materials so it can withstand the huge drops and gaps that they typically perform. - Artistic cycling bikes are used to perform tricks (called exercises) for points in a format similar to ballet or gymnastics.
By frame design
- An old-fashioned penny-farthingPenny-farthingPenny-farthing, high wheel, high wheeler, and ordinary are all terms used to describe a type of bicycle with a large front wheel and a much smaller rear wheel that was popular after the boneshaker, until the development of the safety bicycle, in the 1880s...
or ordinary has one high wheel directly driven by the pedals and one small wheel. - On an upright bicycle, also called a safety bicycleSafety bicycleA safety bicycle is a type of bicycle that became very popular beginning in the late 1880s as an alternative to the penny-farthing or ordinary and is now the most common type of bicycle. Early bicycles of this style were known as safety bicycles because they were noted for, and marketed as, being...
, the rider sits astride the saddle. - On a recumbent bicycleRecumbent bicycleA recumbent bicycle is a bicycle that places the rider in a laid-back reclining position. Most recumbent riders choose this type of design for ergonomic reasons; the rider's weight is distributed comfortably over a larger area, supported by back and buttocks...
the rider reclines or lies supine. Recumbent bicycles (also bents) are designed to maximise comfort and minimise wind resistance, because the rider in a supine or semi-supine position. Whereas most of the other types of bicycle in this section are designed around a ‘diamond frame’ geometry, where the pedals and chainset are located at the bottom of the bicycle and handlebars are at the front, recumbent bicycles (recumbents) generally use a “boom” and rear triangle combination with the pedals and chainset located at the front of the boom and the handlebars are located either “over seat” or “underseat” in the center. - On a prone bikeProne bikeA prone bicycle is a bicycle which places the rider in a prone position. The bottom bracket is located at the bicycle's rear, the rider lies either on a pad or in a hard-shell seat. The prone position of the rider's body can reduce aerodynamic drag and therefore increase the efficiency of the vehicle...
the rider lies in a prone position. - A crank forwardCrank forwardCrank Forward is a category term for a type of bicycle distinct from the road bike, hybrid bike, and mountain bike.The term 'Crank Forward' was created by RANS, Inc., a manufacturer of bicycles based in Hays, Kansas, USA...
bicycle has the rider upright with the pedals far enough forward that the rider can reach the ground with his or her feet without getting off the saddle. - A Pedersen bicyclePedersen bicycleThe Pedersen bicycle, also called the Dursley Pedersen bicycle is a bicycle that was developed by Danish inventor Mikael Pedersen and produced in the English town of Dursley. Though never hugely popular, they enjoy a devoted following and are still produced today...
has a bridge truss frame. - A folding bicycleFolding bicycleA folding bicycle is a bicycle designed to fold into a compact form, facilitating transport and storage. When folded, the bikes can be more easily carried into buildings and workplaces or onto public transportation or more easily stored in compact living quarters or aboard a car, boat or plane...
can be quickly folded for easy carrying, for example on public transport. - A small wheel bicycleSmall wheel bicycleSmall wheel bicycles are adult bicycles which have wheels of 20 inch nominal diameter or less, which is smaller than the 26" or 700c sizes common on most full-sized adult bikes. While many folding bicycles are small wheel bicycles, not all small wheel bicycles can fold...
, such as a Moulton BicycleMoulton BicycleMoulton is an English bicycle manufacturer. The company was founded in 1962 by Dr Alex Moulton, who designed the "Hydrolastic" and rubber cone suspension systems for the BMC Mini motorcar, and the later "Hydragas" system used by its successor companies....
, has a traditional seating position and small wheels. - A portable bicyclePortable bicycleA portable bicycle is a bicycle that has been designed to be small and light enough for easy carrying. It is usually dismantled to make a convenient bundle and the frame often has a folding action to facilitate this. The design of a portable bicycle involves a trade-off between easy of carrying...
, such as a StridaStridaStrida is a portable, belt-driven, folding bicycle with a distinctive 'A'-shaped collapsible frame, designed by UK engineer and designer Mark Sanders...
, is a folding bicycle that is small and light enough to be easily carried afoot or in a cramped vehicle. - An exercise bicycleExercise bicycleAn exercise bicycle or bike, or stationary bicycle, or Exercycle is a device with saddle, pedals, and some form of handlebars arranged as on a bicycle, but used as exercise equipment rather than transportation...
remains stationary; it is used for exercise rather than propulsion. - A Plastic bicycleItera plastic bicycleThe Itera Plastic Bicycle was a 1980's Swedish attempt to modernize the bicycle by replacing metal with injection moulded plastic composite materials. The project ended in technical and commercial failure after three years.- History :...
was an attempt in the early 1980s to introduce a bicycle made entirely out of plastic materials instead of metal. - A bamboo bicycle has a frameBicycle frameA bicycle frame is the main component of a bicycle, on to which wheels and other components are fitted. The modern and most common frame design for an upright bicycle is based on the safety bicycle, and consists of two triangles, a main triangle and a paired rear triangle...
made of bambooBambooBamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
. - A wood bicycle has a frame made out of wood.
- A Step-throughStep-through frameA step-through frame is a type of bicycle frame, often used for utility bicycles, with a low or absent top tube or cross-bar....
frame is a type of bicycle frameBicycle frameA bicycle frame is the main component of a bicycle, on to which wheels and other components are fitted. The modern and most common frame design for an upright bicycle is based on the safety bicycle, and consists of two triangles, a main triangle and a paired rear triangle...
, often used for utility bicycleUtility bicycleA utility bicycle is a bicycle designed for practical transportation, as opposed to bicycles which are primarily designed for recreation and competition, such as touring bicycles, racing bicycles, sport/training bicycles, and mountain bicycles. The vast majority of bicycles can be found in the...
s, with a low or absent top tube or cross-barCrossbar- Structural engineering :* A primitive latch consisting of a post barring a door* The top tube of a bicycle frame* The horizontal member of many sports goals including those for hockey, association football, rugby league, rugby union and American football...
By rider position
- Upright bicycle
- Recumbent bicycleRecumbent bicycleA recumbent bicycle is a bicycle that places the rider in a laid-back reclining position. Most recumbent riders choose this type of design for ergonomic reasons; the rider's weight is distributed comfortably over a larger area, supported by back and buttocks...
- Crank forwardCrank forwardCrank Forward is a category term for a type of bicycle distinct from the road bike, hybrid bike, and mountain bike.The term 'Crank Forward' was created by RANS, Inc., a manufacturer of bicycles based in Hays, Kansas, USA...
- Sideways bikeSideways bikeThe sideways bike is an invention, patented in 2005 , by Michael Killian, a software engineer from Dublin. He was inspired by the way that snowboarding is preferred to skiing due to the greater artistic potential, and decided to design a snowboard equivalent for the conventional bicycle. The...
- Prone bikeProne bikeA prone bicycle is a bicycle which places the rider in a prone position. The bottom bracket is located at the bicycle's rear, the rider lies either on a pad or in a hard-shell seat. The prone position of the rider's body can reduce aerodynamic drag and therefore increase the efficiency of the vehicle...
By number of riders
- Most bicycles are designed for a single rider
- Bikes with child seats or single-child trailers can carry an adult and a child
- Bikes with double child trailers can carry an adult and two children
- A Sociable has two riders side by side.
- A tandemTandem bicycleThe tandem bicycle or twin is a form of bicycle designed to be ridden by more than one person. The term tandem refers to the seating arrangement , not the number of riders. A bike with two riders side-by-side is called a sociable.-History:Patents related to tandem bicycles date from the late 19th...
or twin has two or more riders behind each other. - A triplet has three riders; a quadruplet has four.
- Some bicycles carry more riders: for example, the Conference BikeConference BikeThe ConferenceBike is a 7-seat human powered vehicle created by artist Eric Staller and manufactured by Velo.Saliko. One person steers and all may pedal . The bike has a circular jointed drive-shaft and rack & pinion steering. In most countries it has the same legal status as a bicycle. There are...
carries seven, the Party BikeParty BikeA party bike, pedibus, pedal pub, cycle pub, beer bike, or bierbike is a multi-passenger human powered vehicle. A party bike is a larger scale version of a pedicab, but it is pedal driven by the passengers while the steering and braking is controlled by the driver. Some also double as a rolling...
carries 10, the Busycle carries fifteen, and the FietscafeFietscafeThe Fietscafe or Bierfiets is a 17-person pedal-powered bar. The Fietscafe was invented in The Netherlands and each one is handmade. Its makers, Henk and Zwier van Laar, have been making the bikes and renting them out since 1997...
carries 17. - The largest multi-bike had 40 riders.
In most of these types the riders ride one behind the other (referred to as tandem seating
Tandem
Tandem is an arrangement where a team of machines, animals or people are lined up one behind another, all facing in the same direction....
). Exceptions are "The Companion", or "Sociable," a side-by-side two-person bike (that converted to a single-rider) built by the Punnett Cycle Mfg. Co. in Rochester, N. Y. in the 1890s. On the Conference Bike, riders sit in a circle facing each other. On the Busycle, the captain faces forwards, one row of stokers faces left, and one row faces right.
By number of wheels
While not strictly bicycles, these devices share many features such as drivetrainsBicycle drivetrain systems
Bicycle drivetrain systems are used to transmit power on bicycles, tricycles, quadracycles, unicycles, or other human-powered vehicles from the riders to the drive wheels. Most also include some type of a mechanism to convert speed and torque via gear ratios....
and other components with bicycles.
- HydrocycleHydrocycleA hydrocycle is bicycle-like watercraft. Power is collected from the rider via a crank with pedals, as on a bicycle, and delivered to the water or the air via a propeller. Seating may be upright or recumbent, and multiple riders may be accommodated in tandem or side-by-side...
s have no wheels, but they use bicycle cranks, and pedals. Some use bicycle chains and sprockets. - UnicycleUnicycleA unicycle is a human-powered, single-track vehicle with one wheel. Unicycles resemble bicycles, but are less complex.-History:One theory of the advent of the unicycle stems from the popularity of the penny-farthing during the late 19th century...
s have only one wheel, and they use bicycle wheels, tires, cranks, and pedals. Some use bicycle chains and sprockets. - TricycleTricycleA tricycle is a three-wheeled vehicle. While tricycles are often associated with the small three-wheeled vehicles used by pre-school-age children, they are also used by adults for a variety of purposes. In the United States and Canada, adult-sized tricycles are used primarily by older persons for...
s have three wheels. - VelomobileVelomobileA velomobile or bicycle car is a human-powered vehicle, enclosed for aerodynamic advantage and protection from weather and collisions. They are virtually always single-passenger vehicles. They are derived from recumbent bicycles and tricycles, with the addition of a full fairing . There are few...
s have three wheels and are enclosed for aerodynamic advantage and protection from weather and collisions. - Cycle rickshawCycle rickshawThe cycle rickshaw is a small-scale local means of transport; it is also known by a variety of other names such as velotaxi, pedicab, bikecab, cyclo, becak, trisikad, or trishaw or, simply, rickshaw which also refers to auto rickshaws, and the, now uncommon, rickshaws pulled by a person on foot...
s (also called pedicabs or trishaws) have three wheels and are used to transport passengers for hire. - QuadracycleQuadracycleA quadracycle is a four-wheeled human-powered vehicle. It is also referred to as a quadricycle, quadcycle pedal car or four-wheeled bicycle, amongst other terms....
s have four wheels. - Conference BikeConference BikeThe ConferenceBike is a 7-seat human powered vehicle created by artist Eric Staller and manufactured by Velo.Saliko. One person steers and all may pedal . The bike has a circular jointed drive-shaft and rack & pinion steering. In most countries it has the same legal status as a bicycle. There are...
s and Party BikeParty BikeA party bike, pedibus, pedal pub, cycle pub, beer bike, or bierbike is a multi-passenger human powered vehicle. A party bike is a larger scale version of a pedicab, but it is pedal driven by the passengers while the steering and braking is controlled by the driver. Some also double as a rolling...
s have four wheels.
By means of propulsion
- A human-powered transportHuman-powered transportHuman-powered transport is the transport of person and/or goods using human muscle power. Like animal-powered transport, human-powered transport has existed since time immemorial in the form of walking, running and swimming...
uses only human power - A pedal cycle, commonly known as a bicycle is driven by legs and feet on pedalBicycle pedalA bicycle pedal is the part of a bicycle that the rider pushes with their foot to propel the bicycle. It provides the connection between the cyclist's foot or shoe and the crank allowing the leg to turn the bottom bracket spindle and propel the bicycle's wheels...
s. - A hand-cranked bicycle or handcycle is driven by arms and hands.
- A rowing cycle is driven by a rowing action using both arms and legs.
- A treadle bicycleTreadle bicycleA treadle bicycle is a bicycle powered by a treadle instead of the more-common crank. Treadles were one of the mechanisms inventors tried in order to position the pedals away from the drive wheel hub before the development of the bicycle chain or in lieu of it...
is driven by a reciprocatingReciprocationReciprocation may refer to:* Reciprocating motion, a type of oscillatory motion, as in the action of a reciprocating saw* Reciprocation in geometry, an operation with circles that involves transforming each point in plane into its polar line and each line in the plane into its pole...
, not rotary, motion of the feet. - A bucking bike (with one or more eccentric wheels)
- A balance bicycleBalance bicycleA balance bicycle, or run bike is a training bicycle that helps children learn balance and steering. It has no pedals, no crankset and chain, and no training wheels.-Designs:Balance bikes have been made out of both metal and wood...
(a kind of velocipedeVelocipedeVelocipede is an umbrella term for any human-powered land vehicle with one or more wheels. The most common type of velocipede today is the bicycle....
) and a Footbike use FlintstoneFred FlintstoneFrederick Joseph “Fred” Flintstone, also known as Fred W. Flintstone or Frederick J. Flintstone, is the protagonist of the animated sitcom The Flintstones, which aired during prime-time on ABC during the original series' run from 1960-66. He is the husband of Wilma Flintstone and father of Pebbles...
power, as the rider pushes themselves along with one or both feet on the ground. - A caster boardCaster boardA Casterboard, also known as a Waveboard, is a two-wheeled, human-powered land vehicle that is closely related to the skateboard and the snakeboard. Two narrow platforms known as "decks" are joined by a "torsion bar", which consists of a metal beam, usually coated by rubber, that houses a strong...
or a TrikkeTrikkethumb|The Trikke works by shifting body weightThe Trikke three-wheeled cambering vehicles are human powered machines that utilize Trikke Tech’s patented technology to allow a rider to propel a chainless, pedal-less device forward without ever touching foot to ground...
is driven forward by pushing a wheel approximately perpendicular to the direction of travel. - An amphibious bicycle has paddles and wheels to facilitate operation on both land and water.
- A motorized bicycleMotorized bicycleA motorized bicycle, motorbike, cyclemotor, or vélomoteur is a bicycle with an attached motor and transmission used either to power the vehicle unassisted, or to assist with pedaling. Since it always retains both pedals and a discrete connected drive for rider-powered propulsion, the motorized...
provides motor assistance. (Not to be confused with motorcycleMotorcycleA motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
s or electric motorcycles and scootersElectric motorcycles and scootersElectric motorcycles and scooters are vehicles with two or three wheels that use electric motors to attain locomotion. Electric motorcycles, as distinguished from scooters, do not have a step-through frame....
.) - An electric bicycleElectric bicycleAn electric bicycle, also known as an e-bike, is a bicycle with an electric motor used to power the vehicle. Electric bicycles typically cost between and , use rechargeable batteries and can travel up to...
is primarily propelled by the rider; although this is assisted by the use of an electric motor, usually located in the hub of the front or rear wheel. The electric motor is powered by a battery which is secured to the frame. These are available in various technologies including lead acid, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion and lithium polymer. Many of these are not classed as a motor vehicle, but as a bicycle if they comply with UK and European regulations. - A mopedMopedMopeds are a type of low-powered motorcycle designed to provide economical and relatively safe transport with minimal licensing requirements.Mopeds were once all equipped with bicycle-like pedals , but moped has been increasingly applied by governments to vehicles without pedals, based on their...
propels the rider with a motor, but it usually includes bicycle pedals for human propulsion.
By gearing
The majority of bicycles transmit power from the cranksetCrankset
The crankset or chainset , is the component of a bicycle drivetrain that converts the reciprocating motion of the rider's legs into rotational motion used to drive the chain, which in turn drives the rear wheel...
to the drive wheel with a bicycle chain
Bicycle chain
A bicycle chain is a roller chain that transfers power from the pedals to the drive-wheel of a bicycle, thus propelling it. Most bicycle chains are made from plain carbon or alloy steel, but some are nickel-plated to prevent rust, or simply for aesthetics. Nickel also confers a measure of...
- Derailleur gearsDerailleur gearsDerailleur gears are a variable-ratio transmission system commonly used on bicycles, consisting of a chain, multiple sprockets of different sizes, and a mechanism to move the chain from one sprocket to another...
, featured on most racing and touring bicycles, offering from 5 to 30 speeds
- Single-speed bicycleSingle-speed bicycleA single-speed bicycle is a type of bicycle with a single gear ratio. These bicycles are without derailleur gears, hub gearing or other methods for varying the gear ratio of the bicycle....
s and fixed-gear bicycleFixed-gear bicycleA fixed-gear bicycle is a bicycle that has no freewheel, meaning it cannot coast, as the pedals are always in motion when the bicycle is moving....
s have only one gear, and include all BMX bikes, many children's bikes, city messenger bikes, and many others. The fixed gear has no freewheelFreewheelthumb|Freewheel mechanismIn mechanical or automotive engineering, a freewheel or overrunning clutch is a device in a transmission that disengages the driveshaft from the driven shaft when the driven shaft rotates faster than the driveshaft...
mechanism, so whenever the bike is in motion the pedals continue to spin. The pedals can, or sometimes must, be used to slow down. - Internal hub gearingHub gearA hub gear, internal-gear hub, or just gear hub is a gear ratio changing system commonly used on bicycles that is implemented with planetary or epicyclic gears. The gears and lubricants are sealed within the hub-shell of the bicycle's rear wheel, as opposed to derailleur gears, where the gears and...
is most common in European utility bicycles, usually ranging from three-speedThree-speed bicycleThe three-speed bicycle is a bicycle that uses internal hub gears at the rear wheel hub to provide three gear ratios. Typically, in low gear, the rear sprocket turns faster than the wheel; in middle gear, the rear sprocket turns at the same speed as the wheel; in high gear, the rear wheel turns...
s to eight speeds, however hub gears with fourteen speeds are also available. - Retro-DirectRetro-DirectRetro-direct is a gearing mechanism used on some bicycles in the early 20th century, which provides a second gear ratio when pedaled backwards.-History:...
bicycles have two sprockets on the rear wheel. By back-pedalling, the secondary, usually lower, gear is engaged. - Chainless bicycleChainless bicycleA chainless bicycle is a bicycle that transmits power to the driven wheel through a mechanism other than a metal chain.Examples:* Directly driven "ordinary" bicycle * Shaft-driven bicycle* Belt-driven bicycle...
s, either shaft-driven bicycleShaft-driven bicycleA shaft-driven bicycle is a bicycle that uses a drive shaft instead of a chain to transmit power from the pedals to the wheel. Shaft drives were introduced over a century ago, but were mostly supplanted by chain-driven bicycles due to the gear ranges possible with sprockets and derailleurs...
s or belt-driven bicycleBelt-driven bicycleA belt-driven bicycle is a chainless bicycle that uses a toothed synchronous belt to transmit power from the pedals to the wheel. The belts are typically made by the same manufacturing companies that produce timing belts for automobiles, machineries, and other synchronous belt drive...
s use a driveshaftDriveshaftA drive shaft, driveshaft, driving shaft, propeller shaft, or Cardan shaft is a mechanical component for transmitting torque and rotation, usually used to connect other components of a drive train that cannot be connected directly because of distance or the need to allow for relative movement...
or a belt-driveBelt (mechanical)A belt is a loop of flexible material used to link two or more rotating shafts mechanically. Belts may be used as a source of motion, to transmit power efficiently, or to track relative movement. Belts are looped over pulleys. In a two pulley system, the belt can either drive the pulleys in the...
, respectively, rather than a chain to power the rear wheel. These are often used as commuter bikes because they eliminate inconveniences associated with chains and pant-legs, but shaft-driven bicycleShaft-driven bicycleA shaft-driven bicycle is a bicycle that uses a drive shaft instead of a chain to transmit power from the pedals to the wheel. Shaft drives were introduced over a century ago, but were mostly supplanted by chain-driven bicycles due to the gear ranges possible with sprockets and derailleurs...
s are less efficient than chain-driven bicycles. Chainless bicycles are either single-speed, or employ internal hub gearing. - Hydraulic bicycleHydraulic bicycleA hydraulic bicycle is a chainless bicycle that transfers power to the pedals by means of a liquid passing through tubes from hydraulic pump to hydraulic motor and back.Advantages include:...
(and pneumatic bicycle) use a fluid. - Some rowed bikes use a cable or a linkage.
- StringbikeStringbikeThe Stringbike is a bicycle that uses a wire rope and pulley drive system instead of a traditional bicycle chain and sprockets. It uses two steel wire ropes attached to pulleys attached to swinging lever and cam mechanisms, one on each side of the bike. These mechanisms replace the round sprockets...
uses a wire rope and pulley drive system.
By style
Some bicycles are defined by their appearance.- Art bikeArt bikeAn art bike is any bicycle modified for creative purposes while still being ridable. It is a type of kinetic sculpture. The degree of artistic creativity and originality or new functionality of art bikes varies greatly, depending on the artist or designer's intentions .-Examples:* The annual...
s are built so that the frame appears to be made of junk or found objects: Bongo the Clown built several ridable parade bikes which were as much kinetic sculptures as transport. - DekochariDekochariThe is a form of art bike indigenous to Japan dating back to the mid 1970s. 'Deko' in Japanese is short for decoration and 'Chari' is slang for bike. The Dekochari was a response by children to the Dekotora craze which swept Japan after a series of movies called Truck Yaro was released...
s are a form of art bike indigenous to Japan dating back to the mid 1970s. - Chopper bicycleChopper bicycleA chopper bicycle is a bicycle that is designed to get attention and provide a smooth comfortable ride.- About :While the term "chopper" is generally used to describe a motorcycle or bicycle that has had some of its original parts replaced with custom parts, today's definition has grown to include...
s are low-rider bikes with extended forks designed to provide a smooth ride. There are factory-made chopper bicycles as well as custom-made bicycles.
- Clown bicycleClown bicycleA clown bicycle or clown bike is a bicycle designed for comedic visual effect or stunt riding, typically by Circus clowns. It is sometimes called a circus bike.- Types of clown bike :*BMX bicycle...
s are designed for comedic effect or stunt riding. Some types of clown bicycles are: - Bucking bike (with one or more eccentric wheels)
- Tall bikeTall bikeA tall bike is an unusually tall bicycle often constructed by hobbyists from spare parts. Typically, two conventional bicycle frames are connected, by welding, brazing, or other means, one atop the other...
(often called an upside down bike, constructed so that the pedals, seat and handlebars are all higher than normal) -- other types of tall bikes are made by welding two or more bicycle frames on top of each other, and running additional chains from the pedals to the rear wheel. - Come-apart bike, (essentially a unicycleUnicycleA unicycle is a human-powered, single-track vehicle with one wheel. Unicycles resemble bicycles, but are less complex.-History:One theory of the advent of the unicycle stems from the popularity of the penny-farthing during the late 19th century...
, plus a set of handlebars attached to forks and a wheel). - Reverse-steering bike, in which rotation of the handlebars is transmitted to the front wheel through a pair of interlocking cogs, so that turning to the left steers the bike to the right.
- Sideways bikeSideways bikeThe sideways bike is an invention, patented in 2005 , by Michael Killian, a software engineer from Dublin. He was inspired by the way that snowboarding is preferred to skiing due to the greater artistic potential, and decided to design a snowboard equivalent for the conventional bicycle. The...
s are bikes ridden sideways with the rider steering both wheels.
- Clown bikes are also built that are directly geared, with no freewheeling, so that they may be pedaled backwards. Some are built very small but are otherwise normal.
- Lowrider bicycleLowrider bicycleA lowrider bicycle is a highly customized bicycle with a long wheelbase and stylings inspired by lowrider cars. These bikes often feature a long, curved banana seat with a sissy bar and very tall upward-swept ape hanger handlebars...
s are highly customized bikes with a long wheelbase and styling inspired by lowrider cars. - Wheelie bikeWheelie bikeA wheelie bike, also called a muscle bike, high-riser, or banana bike, is a type of stylized children's bicycle designed in the 1960s to resemble a chopper motorcycle and characterized by ape hanger handlebars, a banana seat with sissy bar, and small wheels. Notable examples include the Schwinn...
s are a type of stylized children's bicycle designed in the 1960s to resemble a chopper motorcycle.
- Lowrider bicycle