All bikes city bikes have in common the fact that they are designed to cover journeys in urban environments, especially city centers. The term can be used to describe all kinds of bicycles, with varying characteristics (frame type, style, level of equipment). From 100% utilitarian models to truly sporty, vintage bikes, the choice is wide!
Here we explore the characteristics of these bicycles, and point out their differences, to help you make the right choice for your needs and cycling habits.
In this presentation, we confine ourselves to traditional city bikes. We've deliberately left out other urban bikes, from the very specific (fixies, folding bikes, cargo bikes) to the more versatile (VTC, fitness bikes, travel bikes).
WHAT'S A CITY BIKE FOR?
As there is no single type of cyclist in the city, the city bike can take many different forms, from the most classic to the most original.
The city bike can be used in a variety of ways: as a simple means of travel, whether fast, comfortable or stylish; as a useful means of transporting your child, your small business belongings or a few errands; or as a practical companion for a ride or a stroll.
WHICH CRITERIA TO CHOOSE?
Depending on your day-to-day needs and the way you ride your bike, one type of city bike is bound to be better suited to you than another! Gooseneck city bike, trapeze or diamond frame, beach cruiser model, vintage bike...? The diversity of city bikes is such, in terms of looks and equipment in particular, that a few major selection criteria need to be presented:
Frame shape
Most traditional city bikes are offered in two versions: classic and gooseneck, i.e. without top tube. Some brands go a step further, offering three versions: Diamond (or classic), Trapeze (or lady) or Wave otherwise known as Gooseneck.
A Diamond-type frame (or classic) frame features a top tube that's horizontal or close to it. It offers the ideal combination of strength and sportiness.
A Trapeze-type frame frame, often categorized as a women's bike, features a sloping top tube for greater stability, while retaining a good degree of dynamism. It's also easier to straddle.
A Wave or gooseneck framesThese are the most comfortable, safest to ride and easiest to straddle. They are therefore logically favored by women, shorter cyclists and, in general, by people who dress relatively conservatively. On the other hand, these frames are less dynamic and more suitable for short trips.
Position on the bike
If you have a preferred position on the bike, with your torso more or less upright and your head more or less high, you can opt for a model with a more comfortable riding position (upright position) or, conversely, a bike with a sportier profile (torso inclined to the handlebars).
Gooseneck city bikes are ideal for those who want to pedal in total comfort, at low intensity, and maintain optimum visual control over road events. On such a frame, the rider adopts an upright, quiet and secure position.
Stemming from Californian culture, the beach cruiser combines style with comfort! On a beach cruiser, the rider has the advantage of being able to put both feet on the ground without any problem, while remaining seated on the saddle, in a very relaxed posture that invites you to stroll around town, on landscaped roads.
At the other end of the spectrum, there are city bikes with a sporty profile, often with a classic frame and slightly sloping or horizontal top tube. These bikes offer a more dynamic riding position, with the torso tilted forward, allowing the rider to push harder on the pedals. Perfect for getting around town quickly, these bikes are rather streamlined in style.
Between these two solutions, comfortable or sporty, other city bikes offer an intermediate position, neither too upright nor too forward-leaning, which suits most cyclists. In this case, the saddle is level with the handlebars.
Choosing the right components
Choosing the right city bike means choosing the right components, i.e. components that are adapted to your riding style and budget.
The most important element to consider is the drivetrain. City bikes can offer from one to over twenty gears. The fewer the gears, the easier it will be to use, but it will only be suitable for use on the flat. On the other hand, a bike with 27 gears, for example, is extremely versatile, making it ideal for the most hilly routes.
Some city bikes use hubs with integrated gears (from 2 to 11 speeds, depending on the model) instead of traditional derailleur transmission systems. These hubs are highly intuitive and ideal for people unaccustomed to shifting gears, since it is usually possible to change gears at any time, even when not pedaling or at a standstill. Above all, they are reliable over the long term, and virtually maintenance-free!
And to take things a step further, the chain is sometimes replaced (on top-of-the-range models) by a belt, guaranteeing total silence and eliminating any risk of catching your pants in the chain and/or staining yourself with sludge.
Other equipment, such as the fork, the saddle or seatpost, should also be carefully considered, as they will also partly determine the comfort of your next rides! A city bike can be chosen with either a rigid or telescopic fork. In the former case, you'll gain in simplicity and lightness, while in the latter, you'll benefit from an appreciable gain in comfort on bumpy surfaces.
The saddle can be standard or spring-loaded, with classic or leather upholstery, foam or gel padding. The seatpost can also incorporate an elastomer shock absorber to absorb vibrations caused by road roughness.
The choice of handlebars is equally wide, with curved handlebars for a super-comfortable upright position, road-style handlebars for a dynamic riding position and a narrow width for easy weaving in and out of traffic, or flat handlebars (road-style) for a more comfortable riding position. MOUNTAIN BIKES) for an intermediate position, with the brakes always within reach.
Useful accessories
It all depends on your needs and the nature of your journeys! If you plan to use your city bike simply as a light, fast means of transport, you won't attach as much importance to its accessories as if you plan to use it for your daily errands. In which case, opt for a model equipped with a luggage rack and/or front luggage rack.
If you plan to use your bike all year round, regardless of the weather conditions, you'll need the right accessories. mudguards will be indispensable.
Although French regulations require all bicycles to come with a bell and front/rear lights, these are often basic and offer only basic visibility. For intensive use and/or in semi-urban environments, the acquisition oflighting lighting. You can also opt for a bike with a dynamo hub that guarantees reliable operation and, above all, never runs out of battery!
The style
Beyond its technical features, a city bike is also, and above all, a matter of style. Vintage, original, sporty, sober... there's a city bike for every taste!
The trend towards vintage bikes, in particular, is a reality that manufacturers have seized on! Increasingly, they're offering new bikes designed in the style of yesteryear, with classic geometry and thin, round steel tubes.
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