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Bike choice presentation - download as Powerpoint - or - OpenOffice (thanks to TfL's Duncan for this)
Racer / Road bike
Designed for the road!
See - http://www.carectomy.com/buy-used-road-bike
Touring bike (like a racer, but stronger)
If going on super long trip, with luggage
Hybrid = half mountain bike half racer
More upright sitting possition
Mountain bike / MTB
Designed for off road
May be a bit heavy
Don't use knobbly tyres if you're on the road
Recumbent
Pros
- Less wind resistance, so easier/faster (over a long distance, this adds up)
- Can have full or part faring, to help with wind (full can have a boot!)
- Good for load carrying, as low centre of gravity
- Can have 3 wheels, for stability
- Comfortable (no hurting bum!)
- Opens lungs up
- Pretty easy to learn to ride
Cons
- Some say they're hard to go up hills
http://londonrecumbents.co.uk - hire + test
http://bikefix.co.uk - hire + test
Tandem
Pros
- Same resistance and more power, so easier/faster
- Can talk to your 'friend'
- Different strength riders can go together
Cons
- Stuck with your 'friend'
- Training may be hard, if don't live together
http://bikefix.co.uk - hire + test
http://londonrecumbents.co.uk - hire + test
FreeRadical
Bolt on conversion kit, to turn your bike into a stretch bike, very good if taking tent etc.