HYBRID - The hybrid is a relatively recent development in bicycles. Also referred to as ‘trekking’, they are usually ideal for most leisure riders and commuters. Hybrid features the best elements from 3 styles of bike, they originated at a time when most people buying a bike were buying mountain bikes, but sometimes riders found a mountain bike was simply too cumbersome, heavy and even slow for the average leisure rider. Designers took the very best elements from mountain bikes, tourers and racing bikes and built a bike, which met the new requirements. The emphasis of the hybrid is comfort, visibility and protection from the elements. Most hybrids are fitted with 700c wheels (the same diameter as fitted to racing bikes) but with wider tyres and rims (on average 35mm). These tyres are generally multi condition,in that they have a smooth centre line for efficiency on tarmac, but often have a more knobberly outer tread, to give good traction if the bike is ridden on a non tarmac surface. They are fitted with the same similar gear systems to mountain bikes, ranging from 21-27 gears. The riding position is much more upright to give good visibility. These bikes are often “fully equipped”, i.e. they come factory fitted with mudguards, and carrying racks, and some even offer suspension seat pillars and adjustable rise stems for added comfort. All in all, the hybrid is the best all round bike there is, it suits the majority of riding that you might wish to do. It is perfect for tarmac riding, even longer journeys, and yet it is more than capable of being taken onto canal footpaths and forestry tracks.

URBAN - Suitable for road and light off road use. This popular new design of bicycle combines the durability of the ATB with the comfort and pace of the hybrid models. They are proving to be the bike of choice for the more discerning rider as they combine the best attributes from both styles of bike. The fast, light and comfortable urban sports bike has become one of the fastest growing modes of transport.

ATB - Leisure ATB’s owe their design to race bred mountain bikes but most riders simply want the comfort and durability that a mountain bike design provides without needing all the high tech add ons. The leisure ATB is an ideal compromise utilising the latest mountain bike styles gears, it makes light work of short uphill stretches. The generous profile tyres give great road holding and the times when tarmac turns into shingle or gravel can easily be coped with. With the addition of suspension forks out go the bumps to make riding more comfortable.

XC-TRAIL - At this level the design challenge is to provide maximum strength using the lightest components. XC-Trail Mountain bikes have performance light aluminum frames including hydro formed tubes for extra stiffness and strength, powerful disc brakes for stopping quickly downhill and lightest performance multi speed gear systems and the ultimate performance off road tyres and welded double wall rims. Long travel front suspension is vital to ensure that the rider is in complete control in the most difficult terrain. XC-Trail bikes are designed for and by, the most demanding off road riders.

All bike information take from Claud Butler/Falcon’s website. www.falcon.co.uk