Many people who choose cycling as a means of transportation or a hobby can be lost in the vast selection of bikes available on the market. To clarify matters for beginners, we're presenting the basic types of bikes found in the city. For obvious reasons, we're omitting many niche designs or special-purpose bikes – we'll dedicate a separate post to those.
MTB
MTB (Mountain Terrain Bike) – mountain bikes, or as some like to call them, "mountain bikes." These are bikes designed for riding in the great outdoors and marathons off-road. Depending on the type of surface, they may have front, rear, or no suspension at all. Currently, the market is dominated by MTB bikes with 29" and 27.5" wheels. It all started with the classic 26" size, now considered "old school," but due to its long-standing dominance, still most associated with mountain bikes.
See more - Gravel bike frame
We see these bikes quite often in the city. Yes, it's possible; after all, it's still a bike; you press the pedal and you move forward. The vast majority of people who use such a bike got it as a First Communion gift, don't have any other bikes, or even have no idea what the difference is. Therefore, they don't realize that the large tire "balloon" and aggressive tread (protector) create significant resistance on asphalt, while the shock absorbers absorb the energy generated by acceleration. Instead, they protect our wrists and spine from shocks and impacts on uneven surfaces. This allows for a smoother ride in extreme conditions, and the thick tires perform exceptionally well on mud, sand, and dirt. See what we have to offer .
Worth a look - "Mullet" in gravel - how to combine MTB and road components? A guide for custom bike builders
City bike
A city bike, a bike for the city – this is a very broad concept and depends on the user's expectations. Primarily, these are bikes designed for riding to work, to the store for bread rolls – simply for everyday use. City bikes include typical Dutch bikes, allowing for an upright posture. They are suitable for carrying groceries, riding in a suit or dress. There are also folding bikes , which are easy to store in a small apartment or fit in a crowded subway car. 
Any bicycle designed for riding on smooth asphalt or dirt roads can be used as a city bike. That's why the more athletic and adventurous often choose a road bike or track bike ( fixed gear ). A racing bike lets you go really fast without getting stuck in traffic. It's very agile, and the weight of a sports car makes it easy to carry up and down stairs. Moreover, on such a bike, anyone looking like a superhero in a Ferrari or Lamborghini can do it.
Or maybe a cross bike? Check it out - Cross bike, what kind and for whom?
Types of bicycles - touring
A separate category is touring, cruising, and expedition bikes. These are bikes designed for long journeys over varied terrain. Typically built with 28-inch wheels, a rigid frame, and a front suspension fork, they are compatible with racks, panniers, and other accessories useful for long journeys. As a result, they are a popular choice for city riding. 
Initially, these were rigid bikes with road geometry and drop handlebars, allowing for wider tires and racks. Their successors were trekking bikes, which had straight or "trekking" handlebars, allowing for adjustable grip. They also usually had a front suspension fork. Currently, the trend toward rigid frames, road-specific geometry, and drop handlebars has returned. This is how gravel bikes were born, incorporating the best modern technologies and solutions, and has become the dream of many a traveler.
For the curious - How is a bicycle built?
You can learn more about gravel bikes here
Highway
Road bikes are designed for racing or training on smooth surfaces. Racing bikes are built to deliver top performance in the sport. Therefore, they must be the lightest, stiffest, fastest, and most agile, maintaining speed and accelerating quickly. Training bikes can be adapted for mudguards and wider tires. They also typically have a more durable construction and are suitable for training in a variety of weather and road conditions. This makes them a worthwhile option for everyday use, providing a fast, versatile bike. 
For those who love fast riding but can't tolerate the stench of cars and the blazing sun, there are cyclocross bikes. These are road bikes designed for racing through the forest, in the shade of trees, and surrounded by birdsong. They have a more durable construction and are designed for slightly thicker tires with off-road treads, making them mud-resistant.
Cycling dilemmas - Endurance road or gravel - which bike to choose?
Not necessarily for work
Gravity sports bikes are also common in the city. Such bikes shouldn't be considered transportation, but rather a hobby. They are also divided into subtypes depending on the type of extreme sport they are suited for. We most often see them in skateparks and on pump tracks. Thanks to the development of such infrastructure, BMX bikes and dirt bikes are becoming increasingly common. The diversity of bike types and their technical characteristics stems from user needs, the development of the bicycle industry, and its capabilities. However, as long as we accept all boundaries as a given, bicycle development will continue to surprise us. Hence the concept of bicycles that transcend boundaries, utilizing the possibilities of matter and antimatter. Here, all types of bicycles intertwine and merge. A city bike containing the best track bike solution? – Simple! A road bike suitable for comfortable city riding? – Welcome! Want something but can't find an equivalent on the market? – Congratulations, you're our new customer. We combine the unmistakable. See you soon, and best regards! Text: Andrii Szczypanow Editor: Maciej Ataman
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