If you're new to cycling, or looking for a different type of bike, here's a little intro to help explain what's out there.
Cruiser and Commuter
Cruiser bikes are the big old original fat-tire variety, like what you see for rent at the beach. They’re comfortable and cool, and there’s no better way to tell the world "I’m not trying to go fast." Because you can’t. On these bikes, "fast" is basically impossible. Comfort bikes are similar to commuter bikes, but they move a tad bit faster and aren’t trying to look cool about it.
Commuter bikes are usually a little quicker yet—they’re less comfort-oriented than cruisers, but they’re lighter and designed to help you get around (to/from class, for example) faster. Hybrid bikes are sometimes similar to commuter bikes, though that term is used to describe a lot of different things.
Cyclocross
Cyclocross bikes are designed for cyclocross races, where riders have some sections on the road, some sections on the dirt, and some sections where they have to carry their bikes over hurdles. These bikes wind up being a lot like road bikes (including "drop" handlebars), but with off-road style brakes and knobs on the tires. Some people also like these for general "get around town even in the winter" bikes, though they’re usually more pricey than standard commuter bikes. Of course, you can always
make your own...
Off-road
Off-road bikes (also called
mountain bikes, in mountainous regions) can vary from downhill-only bombers to lightweight "cross-country" race bikes. For maximum enjoyment, point these bikes downhill on a ski mountain in the summer. These can also be a lot of fun out over the roots, logs, and rocks along Midwestern trails, though! For the most part, these are bikes with wide, knobby tires and some sort of suspension (in the front fork, and maybe in the back too). If you have a bike with big bumps on the tires, it probably fits in this category.
Road
Road bikes are designed to go fast on the road. These are "Tour de France" type bikes, with "drop" handlebars, narrow tires, and lightweight frames. They’re usually not appealing to beginning riders but, once you’re used to them, other bikes might just seem tedious. These are the bikes used in Collegiate Road and Criterium races, though not everyone who rides one likes to race.
Single-speed and Fixie
Single-speeds come in a variety of flavors, from track/road to off-road bikes. The defining characteristic is that they have (wait for it) a single speed. There’s no shifting. Some riders like the simplicity or style of this, and these bikes are often used as commuters. They’re also raced off-road. A
fixie (like what's raced on the track) is the same thing, except there’s no ratchet mechanism—so you can’t stop pedaling a fixie if it’s rolling. You don’t need to have brakes, since you just stop the bike by stopping the pedals. It’s an acquired taste.
Others
There are many other types of bikes! These include Time Trial, BMX, and Recumbent bikes, just to name a few. However, these bikes do not matter. Just kidding. Heh. These bikes are a little less common for people first getting into the sport, getting around campus, or competing at a college level, so I haven’t described them here. If you know what they are, you know what they’re for.
