Buying a traditional or contemporary city bike is the main concern when someone wants to look for a daily commuting city bike. To help you understand more about what is different between 2 types of bikes. This article will bring to you clear information and general views before you have any buying decision.
A city bike has many other names: utility bike, urban bike, classic bike, commuter bike. People use this type of bike for daily commute . A short ride on the flat and paved roads of the city or urban areas. They ride the bike in normal clothes, normal shoes and in a variety of weather conditions.
People use the bike to go to work, to school, to cinema, to go shopping, leisure …or for transporting goods, delivery mails…
Because of the practical reasons, city bikes have their own specific characteristics to meet the above requirements.
The common design of traditional and contemporary city bike
Focusing on the convenience and comfort not speeding. That is reason for most city bikes don’t have multi-gearing systems. A traditional city bike has a simple single gear or max to 3 gears. When a contemporary city bike has from 3 to 7 gears.
City bikes have stable geometry that make riders feel comfortable. Generally they have a slightly curved, roughly planar aligned and elevated handle bar .This design offers to riders in a comfortable upright sitting position .The saddle is always larger than other types of bicycle. Providing the riders the most comfort. So they can operate bikes freely and comfortably.
City bikes also have typical dirt fenders and an enclosed chain to protect rider clothes from the dirt or oil. They have a bell on the hand bar and built-in dynamo lights on the front or on the back wheel
They often feature a step-through frame so they can be easily mounted.
The most common feature of city bikes that distinguishes them from other bikes is they have one front wheel basket and a pannier rack on rear wheel to carry goods. A child seat can be mounted on the rear frame to carry a baby.
City bikes typically have wheel size 700 C 28’’ which allows bikes moving smoothly with maximum speed. Tires are puncture resistant. The width is from 38-44mm, providing the balance for the bikes and supporting cushion for riders.
The different between the traditional and contemporary city bike
Traditional city bikes
They have the most simple design with a frame made from steel alloy. This material slightly heavier than other material. But it makes the bike frame strong and can withstand heavy things. The specific type of this material gives bikes the ability to stay in extreme weather conditions. Owners can leave them outside of buildings, apartments, offices without much worrying.
Mostly they are rigid without suspension and they have rim brakes
They have an enclosed drive chain which has either a single- speed or 3- speeds to protect rider clothes or skirts from being caught in the chain and mudguards to keep riders clothes clean.
A built -in dynamo light system on the front wheel and rear wheel help riders to have a clear vision during the night.
Contemporary city bikes
A contemporary city bike is an improvement from a traditional one. Although the design of the frame is not new . Lower frame with elevated handlebar providing riders an upright sitting position. And all other components, the same as traditional city bikes.
But the new thing is the makers seem to turn a contemporary city bike like a hybrid bike. It become a combined version of a road bike, a mountain bike and a touring bike. The purpose of hybrid is to give a city bike more power to work in wider areas. Not only limited inside city or urban range on smooth and paved roads.
Although a hybrid bike can not compared to a professional mountain bike about the ability of dealing with heavy and serious tasks. Or compared with a professional road bike for speeding. But a contemporary city bike can do a light mountain biking and light road riding. They have wheels and tires built for high responding to rough terrains or slippery roads.
The frame can be made from very fine chromoly steel or aluminum alloy material that makes bikes lighter but strong, firm and can withstand the friction force.
They have more gear up till 7 numbers which allow riders to adjust more flexible to different terrains
Front suspension is another factor that makes contemporary city bikes different from traditional one. The hardtail suspension allows bikes operation more flexible, creating more comfort for riders.
The brake system can be rim brakes but mostly mechanical disc brakes and hydraulic disc brakes can be found in contemporary city bikes. It gives riders a high response to unexpected incidents.
The bottom line
We have seen the evolution during the history of the bicycle. The new technology and the old style always intertwined to create the new better version of bike. City bikes are also among them.
So choosing to buy a traditional city bike or contemporary bike will depend on how you like them and also your budget.
If you want to have a simple, fully functional bike for the city area, a short commuting and recreation purpose . A traditional city bike is a good choice
But if you want to have a bike for wider ranges of using . A contemporary city bike is a better option. The price of it is also higher because of additional components and more valuable frame material.
Source : Wikipedia
Photo: Pixel mob
