The choice of bicycle used is predominantly determined by the format of ride chosen.

Road cycling is one of the most common format locally, bicycles used usually comes with 700c wheels, drop handlebar and double chain ring. Deviation such as triple chain ring, flat handlebar and 650c wheels are also available. Road bike comes with thin tyres ranging from 18mm to 25mm commonly. The seat angle is somewhere between 72 degrees to 74 degrees. It is suitable for smooth surfaces.











Above: An example of road bike


Another format of road cycling is Time Trial. Some of the cyclist call it Tri bike, however, the difference between the 2 is the seat angle. Sporting pursuit bar (bullhorn) with aero bar. wheels are either in deep V, trispokes or disc. The position of Time Trial bike make it every aero dynamic. Seat angle for TT bike is generally 72 degrees to 76 degrees, Tri bike usually spot a seat angle of 76 degrees to 80 degrees.Tri bikes are not UCI legal. While TT bikes are not Mass start legal.










Credits: http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/russian/images/beijing/Levi-TT-Bike.jpg



Track cycling is rare locally. It have its fans in other country. Usually sporting a fixed wheel with single speed. Track bikes are super bikes.
















Credits: http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/attachments/f120/28499d1148139464-lotus-super-bike-lotusbike1.jpg

Off Road riding is sub divided into a few discipline. Cross country, downhill, 4X, trial, etc

In this post i shall only describe cross country cycling.
Cross country cycling or XC bikes are typically lighter then other off road bikes, it primary function is to participate in races traversing cross country terrain. Typically a cross country bike comes with a suspension fork. Some models come with suspension frame.

Frame with suspension is known as full suspension (full sus/ FS), frame without suspension is known as Hardtail (HT).

Fork is usually telescopic fork, in some models multiple linkage fork. Its travel ranges from 63mm to 100mm. Travel means the amount of verticle movement made by the lower of the fork.

Wheels are typically 26 inches, with the new standard of 29 inches. Tyres are fat ranging from 1.75 inches to 2.25 inches, with studs and patterns known as treads.

The drivetrain is usually 3 triple chain ring, with huge gear ratio. Sporting either a flat handlebar or riser bar.












Above: Cross country bike

The road racing language

1. Attack - An aggressive acceleration taken to open up a lead on other riders.
2. Blocking - Attempt to slow the progress of the pack in order to assist a breakaway group to create and secure a lead.
3. Blow up - To be unable to maintain a fast pace due to over exertion.
4. Break, or Breakaway - A rider or group of riders who sprint away from the pack.
5. Bridge, Bridge a Gap - An attempt to catch up with a breakaway.
6. Chaser - A rider who attempts to bridge a gap.
7. Drafting - Taking advantage of the slipsteam created by another rider by riding close to his rear wheels. Also called wheel sucking, sitting in and riding in tow.
8. Field Sprint - A mass sprint towards the finish line by the front of the pack.
9. Jam - A period of hard pedaling. Also called Hammering.
10. Jump - To accelerate rapidly, in a sprint.
11. Leadout - A tactic where one cyclist rides at his fastest pace to help his teammate in a tow. The second rider then jumps around the first rider at an even faster pace to sprint towards the finish line. Sort of like a catapult.
12. Mass start - A race which begins with all riders leaving the starting line in a group.
13. Motorpace - A training method where a rider rides behind a motor vehicle which breaks the wind.
14. Peleton - The main group of riders in a mass start race, also called bunch, group or pack.
15. Pull - To ride at the front of the group, to break the wind for the riders in the Peleton or Paceline.
16. Pull Off - To leave the front of the group so the next rider can take over.
17. Reel In - When the Peleton catches up with the Breakaway group.
18. Snap - To accelerate quickly.
19. Soft Pedal - to ride without apply pressure to the pedals.