Choosing A Bike - What type of cycle is best ?

There is nothing like riding a bike to get you back in touch with your feeling of youth and vitality. Bike technology has come a long way over the past few years, so the modern bike is lighter, faster, more comfortable and more reliable. In addition to this, there are more cycle tracks and cycle paths ... so cycling has never been so much fun and remains a great way to travel.

When you've realised that the planet needs your help and you've made your way to the bike shop, you'll see there are now many types of bikes. Our "Top 10 Bikes" is intended to makes choosing the right one a little easier !

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No.1 The Trikke
		If you want zero-energy action ! Trikke three-wheeled cambering vehicles are human powered machines that utilise Trikke Tech's patented 3CV technology to allow a rider to propel a chainless, pedal-less device forward without ever touching foot to ground. This elegantly simple construct provides a stable 3-point platform that leans into the turn with the rider while all three wheels remain in contact with the ground. A rider may reach speeds of up to 18 mph on flat ground, ride 50 miles in one day, and climb the steepest of hills (with practice!).
Trikke's design allows the rider to naturally engage his entire body throughout the ride. Legs are active for balancing and shock-absorption and arms punch for power-thrusts and hold on for stability and control. The Trikke 3-wheeler allows you, the rider, to feel the miracle of your own body and mind working in graceful unison. The bi-products of the ride are joy, health, fitness and a renewed appreciation for yourself and your life. www.trikkeuk.com
No.2 San Rafael from Marin - Adult Town and Country
		Marin make classy bikes ! A strong, yet light, frame with a comfortable, upright riding position makes the San Rafael perfect for commuting and recreation. The build quality of these bikes is very good and the frame design and fixture have a certain style.
Maybe a little more costly than similar bikes but you should be able to find something in their range to suit your pocket. As with the Apollo, ask your dealer to fit some mud guards, a carrier and maybe even some paniers for storage.
No.3 Claud Butler Legend - Adult Town and Country
		Claud Butler have a great heritage for providing quality touring bikes. Just like the Apollo Cafe and the San Rafael, the Legend is another "hybrid" bike, ideal for roads and well worn country paths. This also has similar suspensions to ensure a smooth ride even on rough surfaces.
The legend is an attractive well made bike - whats more is that it comes with mud guards and a carrier as standard !
No.4 Giant Expression from Rutland Cycling - Adult Town and Country
		Affordable and reliable... The final hybrid bike on our list is the Giant Expression. It can be bought on-line from Rutland Cycles and like the Legend, is one of the few bikes that have mud guards and a carrier as standard.
These bikes are quite keenly priced and represent good value for money.
No.5 Apollo XC.26 from Halfords - Adult Off Road Bike.
		Looking for action ? Off road bikes can be great fun. If you want to cover rough ground and experience the thrill of scrambling, then there are some great bikes to choose from. Off road bikes tend to be heavier than hybrid bikes, so not ideal for touring or really long treks.
The chunky, knobbly tires can also drag on flat road surfaces making them not so fast. However, if your feeling fit and you want to have some fun on rough country trails, then these are the bikes for you. The XC.26 has an alluminium frame, good front suspension, 21 speed gears and a front disc brake making it great value for money. In addition to this, its a good looking bike !
No.6 Watoga from Dawes - Adult Off Road Bike
		If you're planning to get serious about off road recreation - then you've a lot to smile about ! The last few years have seen a lot of great development going into developing bikes just for this. Companies such as Dawes, Marin and Claud Butler offer some very serious bikes.
At the upper end of the range, these bikes can cost several hundreds, even thousands, but if you're planning to sell the speedboat in order to enjoy a more environmentally friendly pastime - then you have some great engineering to choose from and can expect an exhilerating time.
No.7 Claud Butler Roubaix - Adult Road Bike
		Feel the need for speed ? Bikes like the Claud Butler Roubaix are built for speed. If you like the idea of getting places fast and the wind in your hair..or maybe even competing, then this is the type of bike for you.
With a very light frame, narrow tyres and an equally narrow seat, road bikes (racing) are only for the road. Although they can glide along effortlessly on a smooth tarmac surface - on any other surface they will be uncomfortable. Ideal for all those budding Lance Armstrongs amongst you !
No.8 Orbit Libra
		Do you ride tandem ...? Tandems are great ! If you want an outdoor adventure with your partner or even with a son, daughter or a friend, tandems can be great fun. In fact you'll find that anyone who's riden a tandem is pretty enthusiastic about them. You can even join an owners club or book a tandem holiday with companies such as "Tandem Experience".
Modern tandems, such as the Libra, have light alloy frames and 24 speed gears to ensure that your journey is a pleasure. You'll also find that the seats and handlebars are fully adjustable, making it easy to have a comfortable relaxing ride. They will also have mud guards and carriers, making them well equipped for cycling holidays and long journeys. Dawes also offer some impressive tandems and are definitely worth a look.
No.9 Panasonic Electric Bike
		If you're serious about the environment but not sure you're fit enough - then an electric bike is the answer ! Lightwieght and stylish, the Panasonic electric bikes is pretty cool. After a 2 hour charge - you can glide around for 30 miles !
There are a wide range of electric bikes available - modern battery technology has very much enabled a new generation of electric transport that is more durable and pratical than previous efforts such as the C5 (if anyone can remembers these ?). UK companies such as Powabyke have a great selection of practical, affordable electic bikes suitable for a wide range of uses.
No.10 Apollo Cafe from Halfords - Adult Town and Country
		Lightweight, Comfortable and good value for money. The Apollo Cafe is a "hybrid" bike, meaning that it is good for roads and cycle tracks. So it can get you to work during the week and take you through the countryside at the weekend. With its light frame and 21 speed gears, its a pleasure to ride.
Indeed, it suspension front forks and suspension seat, takes the bumps out of the ride making it an enjoyable bike even on some of the roughest country tracks. We recommend that you ask Halfords to fit some mud guards, a carrier and maybe even some paniers for storage. Want to save the planet ? How you can help : You can sign up for our newsletter You can become a part of the my-kyoto project You can forward www.my-kyoto.co.uk to as many people as possible.