TYPES OF BIKES
We figured it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to help some of you understand how we categorize bikes here at Gord's.

It basically comes down to two main categories: Pavement and Off-Road. Sure, you can ride on pavement on an off-road bike... The opposite is not so idyllic. We hope the following helps in your quest for the perfect bike. If after all of this you're still a bit lost, please feel free to drop by either of our stores and let us help you demystify the world of bikes, after all, that's why we're here, to make it easier on you... No need to roam the forest alone, just ask.

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OFF ROAD:

MOUNTAIN BIKES
Mountain bikes are designed to handle anything you can throw at them from single-track and park paths to big rocky descents. Mountain bikes can be split into two main groups: [1] Hard-Tail Bikes (HT) that only have suspension at the front and full-suspension bikes that have suspension at the rear as well. Mountain bike suspension has been designed to absorb the shocks from riding over uneven terrain. It aids traction over difficult, loose surfaces and helps you to control the bike. If you aren’t trying anything too challenging a hard-tail bike will more often provide enough suspension. If, however you enjoy venturing into more extreme trail riding then another popular type of mountain bike is the Aggressive Hard-Tail (or dirt jump) bike, these offer extra strong wheels and long travel suspension forks designed for dirt jumping and aggressive, stunt-laden urban riding. The next evolution of mountain biking took the form of [2] Full-Suspension (FS) Bikes can make the experience more comfortable, easier and more exciting. It allows you to push your technical skills further. All-mountain bikes are becoming increasingly popular as is the all-day epic and long challenging off-road rides such as Gord's Bike Club Epic Rides. The bikes usually feature 4+ inches of travel and a comfortable riding position.

NOTE: Front suspension travel (from uncompressed to fully compressed) is generally measured in mm's while rear suspension travel is described in inches. When presenting a full suspension bike, we generally use the terminology "4 inch bike" in referring to the rear suspension. Front suspension mostly follows suit with the same travel but in mm's.

Cross-country mountain bike racers insist on the lightest bike possible for maximum gains on the climbs and on the flats. These bikes have slightly less travel than the trail bikes as the emphasis is on speed not comfort. Another style of bike are Free Ride or Downhill bikes. Riders use ski lifts, shuttles or push their bikes to the top of a mountain for a fast, technically challenging descent. These bikes are smaller for rider maneuverability, with lots of travel to soak up the big drops and heavy as weight is not an issue.

Here's how we have sub-categorized Gord's Mountain-Bike selection:

BASIC HT (Hard Tail) MOUNTAIN BIKES:
We sell lots of these. These serve a dual purpose: Some may never see a trail and some will see the most abuse of all mountain bikes: The 12-17 year old. They look like the part, feature sturdy frames and inexpensive parts for economical replacement when crashed and yet function well enough to work well as an inexpensive commuter. Not in this bikes' repertoire are the words "jump" or "serious off-road trail riding". They feature heavy-duty frames, adequate brakes, 7 to 8 (x3) speed gearing and basic yet sturdy front suspension.

SPORT HT MOUNTAIN BIKES:
These bikes will work well on a club "Wednesday Night Ride", they usually feature lighter frames, better braking, shifting and stronger, faster wheelsets. While this bike may not be the most comfortable long distance Epic Ride partner, it can take you anywhere you want to go. This is a popular choice for those wanting an efficient commuter bike that can also be taken off-road with some degree of confidence. Gearing on these bikes begins at 8 speeds to 9 speeds in the higher end models. Suspension and brake systems on theses bikes become more sophisticated as price levels increase.

PERFORMANCE HT XC MOUNTAIN BIKES:
These bikes are suitable for racing and all day Epic Rides. They are usually light, stiff and feature 9 speeds, high performance brakes, sophisticated front suspensions and brand-name lighter weight components. These bikes are purpose built for speed and designed to be ridden for a fast time, not necessarily for a long time.

AGGRESIVE HT MOUNTAIN BIKES (AKA Dirt Jump Bikes):
These bikes are built to take abuse. They all feature heavy-duty frames and burly suspension forks, bash guards instead of third chain-rings, beefier wheels, bottom brackets and cranks. Peripheral components such as pedals, brakes and especially rear derailleur are purposely spec'd on the economical end of the spectrum as they usually get damaged during stunt attempts and therefore need to be relatively inexpensive to replace. Some of these brutes are purely for jumping, some offer compromises in order to also be fun and easier to ride on trails.

SPORT FS (Full Suspension) MOUNTAIN BIKES:
These bikes are mainly designed for the emerging mountain-bike aficionado. Unfortunately inaccurately labeled as downhill oriented bikes (they are NOT for DH applications) These bikes are designed for Cross Country riders wishing to embrace comfortable (possibly all-day long) trail-riding. These bikes are a godsend for an aging population wishing to ride longer, faster and yet not suffer the physical consequences of a punishing trail ride. This category is littered with less than desirable designs because of some manufacturers desire to satisfy certain price points, we carry the best of the lot. Usually defined by 4 inch (100mm) suspension designs, some companies pony up some longer travel front forks here for those wishing to push the terrain envelope on a budget. The top end of this category could even be used for recreational racing.

ALL-MOUNTAIN FS MOUNTAIN BIKES:
These bikes must be able to do everything, from commuting to trail riding to medium-duty urban riding to even some downhill riding. Most of our regular Gord's Bike Club members ride this type of bike. Superbly efficient at climbing yet fantastic at the art of descending, these rides mostly feature 5" (130mm) to 6" (150mm) designs. These bikes are best suited for soaking up great big gobs of terrain on long Epic Rides than they are for all-out racing although some of the lighter weight designs could definitely compete. Not reserved for advance riders, these dream bikes feature Game-improvement-technologies with huge sweet spots that allow even the most novice rider to keep up with the very best. If you can afford it, you should get it. Riders who own bikes in this category become hooked.

PERFORMANCE XC FS MOUNTAIN BIKES:
These bikes are for the speed demons among the crowd. On technical, rocky terrain these light full-suspension rockets will arguably go much faster than the prototypical performance hard tail because of the huge traction benefits of proper full suspension designs. With 3.5 to 4.5 inches of travel, these bikes simply dominate when the terrain becomes less than glass smooth. Surprising in their ability to soak up large obstacles and be quite comfortable at the art of Epic Rides, they do suffer a bit when pointed straight down due to shorter travel forks. If you're looking for a fast, supremely efficient full suspension bike, this is your ride.

LONG-TRAVEL FS MOUNTAIN BIKES:
These 6"+ machines laugh at terrain irregularities. Basically designed as "Pedal to the top of the mountain and rocket down" machines, they offer the gravity junkies a nice one-bike option with the ability to trail ride when not thinking of ways to move to B.C.

DH FS MOUNTAIN BIKES:
These purpose built monsters are neither cheap nor much fun to pedal in any direction other than down. Component is absolute and purpose built for gravity assist speed runs down your mountain of choice.

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PAVEMENT:

CRUISER BIKES
The granddaddy of it all, Cruiser bicycles are balloon-tired bikes with sturdy frames and flamboyant style and colors, they were North America’s standard bike from the early 1930s right through the 1960s and were the basis in the 70's for the creation of what is now known as mountain bikes. Cruisers bikes' comfort, style, and affordability have led to renewed popularity in recent years.

COMFORT BIKES
Comfort bikes owe their existence to bike shops who customized mountain bikes for their pavement loving patrons with smoother tires, slightly more upright handle bars, big, cushy seats and flip-flop-friendly pedals. Manufacturers soon noticed marketing opportunity and jumped on board producing their own variants. Comfort bikes can be used on pavement s well as smooth, non technical single-track trails. The modern Comfort bike utilizes a light-duty, relaxed geometry mountain-bike derived frame and soft grips, soft saddle, suspension forks and seatposts, accommodating pedals, entry-level mountain-bike drivetrains and the obligatory smooth mountain-bike sized (26") tires.

HYBRID BIKES
Hybrid bikes have evolved over the years from being basically road bikes with cruiser-like handle bars and mountain bike component to a myriad of different permutations. Some may say that anything that is not a mountain bike or a drop-bar road bike is by default a Hybrid bike. At Gord's we refer to Hybrid bikes as a bike that is essentially a comfort bike with larger diameter (700c) wheels.
This type of bike uses a mountain-bike-derived frame with suspension seatpost, upright riding position and often features front suspension. Designed for use on roads and bike paths, Hybrid bikes feature larger diameter wheels to increase pedaling efficiency.

FLAT BAR ROAD BIKES
Flat bar road bikes. This style of bike combines road bike features, acceleration and light weight attributes with a more relaxed frame design and mountain bike-like handle bars with shifters and controls for maximum stability and ease of use. These bikes work great for commuting or fast casual rides. Not the first choice for long distances, they are still more suitable for MS-like rides than its' cousin, the hybrid bike.

DROP BAR ROAD
Drop handlebar bikes are fast and exciting. The position of the rider is lower and racier than on a mountain bike. This style of bike combines racing bike features, acceleration and light weight attributes with a more relaxed frame design for all day comfort. If you are riding all day they are designed to handle smoothly, climb and accelerate rapidly and corner fast. Even within the category of road bikes there are subtle variations. Road bikes come with either a double or triple chain ring at the front. Race bikes frequently have just the double chain ring, but if you are planning on carrying loads, riding a lot of hills or just beginning a come back to fitness a triple allows you a wider range of gears with easy gears for even the gentlest of climbs.

THE TOURING BIKE
The touring bike is designed for load carrying and all day comfort. If you want to enjoy cycling holidays and all day epics this may well be the bike for you. If you wanted to cross Canada on a bike, this is the only game in town. Touring bikes are often equipped with stronger brakes, more compliant frame materials (such as steel) to increase comfort as well as low gear ratios and beefier wheels and to cope with carrying extra weight such as panniers.

CYCLOCROSS BIKE
A Cyclocross bike is essentially a road bike with some slight frame and component modifications for cross racing. It features the drop bars and 700c wheels of traditional road bikes, but has cantilever brakes for better stopping power and additional clearance for wide, knobby tires and any mud the tires pick up. The frame's bottom bracket (where the crankset is mounted) is higher for additional clearance over obstacles and for pedaling around corners. Cyclocross bikes are light (easiest to carry), fast, and can be used for road riding and touring just by changing tires and gearing

RACE BIKES
Race bikes are essentially speed machines. Designed for the thrill of speed the position is slightly more stretched than the one a rider assumes on a touring bike. There are no mounts for racks. Race bikes are as light as possible and super stiff so that the maximum amount of rider power is transferred to the wheels. These bikes often feature carbon fiber to enhance speed by smoothing out the ride without sacrificing performance.

TRI BIKES
A triathlon bike is specifically designed to be ridden comfortably and efficiently in the aerodynamic position using elbow-rest style aero handlebars. Triathlon geometry bikes facilitate the transition from cycling to running better than road geometry bikes.

Now that you have a general idea of what bike does what, check out the next step in purchasing a bike here.