The bicycle has firmly entered the life of an active person. Here is a short list of the benefits of riding a bike:
- Healthy lifestyle;
- Keeping the body in good athletic shape;
- Economy;
- Caring for the environment and the planet.
In addition, cycling is a great hobby, an excuse to get out of the city. The American brand Kona offers Kona bikes for city and off-road riding for every member of the family.
In order for the ride to be comfortable, enjoyable and useful, the two-wheeled vehicle and its components must be of high quality. Protective gear for cyclists and clothing for cycling also play an important role.
Bicycles
For some, a bicycle is transportation, for others it is a sport, for others it is a weekend entertainment. Here everyone finds something for themselves. But regardless of whether you ride in the city on paths or conquer the slopes of wild mountains, it is important to choose a bike for the purpose.
The most popular types of bikes are:
- Mountain (MTV) are designed for driving off-road, on difficult terrain, but thanks to their stylish appearance and their passability, they are also popular for everyday use. MTB bikes are distinguished by wide wheels, tires with pronounced treads, the presence of a shock-absorbing fork, and a strong frame with high torsional rigidity. A prime example is the Kona Hei Hei CR/DL carbon bike. Its balanced frame design and the presence of two shock absorbers ensure passability and comfort in all circumstances.
- City bikes or models for the city - equipped with wheels with a larger diameter, a wide comfortable seat, the geometry of their frame ensures a horizontal fit. Such bicycles are a good substitute for city transport, they are suitable for trips to work, walks in parks. The Kona Ute gives you the ability to get around town quickly and with health benefits. And its additional equipment, which includes a bag, footrest and other accessories, ensures convenience in any conditions.
- Road bikes have high aerodynamic performance, frame and components provide good speed and handling on the road. They are distinguished by large narrow wheels, a sporty fit and light weight.
- Double suspensions have double shock absorption - front and rear. It is an ideal solution for mountain biking, downhill, freeriding; they are designed for difficult terrain, shock absorption during jumps, landings. The 2021 Kona Operator bike is perfect for wild mountain trails, feeling your every move equally on the rocks and at speed. Despite the high cost, double suspensions are very popular.
- Fatbikes are gaining popularity in Ukraine, they are great for difficult off-road. Their wide wheels (up to 5 inches) hold perfectly on loose surfaces (sand, snow). There are no obstacles on the Kona WO bike, it will ride through loose snow or over rocks.
- Electric bikes or bicycles with an electric drive are a category of bikes that are gaining everyone's favor. The battery and electric motor make it possible to partially or completely remove the load from the cyclist. Such bikes are easy to ride on steep slopes, ride long distances. You can buy a Kona electric bicycle in Ukraine at our partner stores.
- Cyclocross bikes are used for competitions, visually they resemble models for the highway, while they use tires with a pronounced tread, there are mudguards, and a lightweight frame.
- Women's models take into account the features of the female anatomy: low frame, wide saddle, narrow handlebar. Women's city bikes can be equipped with a basket and a footrest.
- Children's bicycles, depending on the age of the cyclist, can be three-wheeled, or the same as for adults, but smaller in size.
Components
A bicycle is not only two wheels and a handlebar. This is a complex mechanism that includes many parts, elements: switches, chains, pedals, brake pads, stars, forks, rims, connecting rods, tensioners. This is only a small part of what makes it possible to ride a bike safely and comfortably.
And when choosing a bicycle for the city or the highway, it is important to study the characteristics of each component in detail.
Brakes
The braking system of a modern bike is a complex mechanism that requires timely maintenance and, if necessary, the replacement of individual elements.
There are several different types of brakes. The most popular are:
The rims consist of two levers with rubber pads. When braking, the rubber pads compress the rim of the wheel and thus the bike slows down. There are V-Brake, pincer, and cantilever rim brakes. They do not require frequent maintenance, have a low price and effectively brake the bicycle. From the disadvantages