Black-and-white close-up of a road bike frame and drop handlebars against a black background
Photo: Josh Nuttall / Unsplash

An independent bicycle knowledge base

Understand Your Bike

A knowledge base of bicycle types, components, materials, and the brands that build them.

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What to Explore

Navigate the world of bicycles through organised categories.

Bicycle Types

Road, mountain, gravel, fixed-gear and more: understand what each category is built for.

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Components & Anatomy

Drivetrains, brakes, wheels and frames explained part by part.

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Materials

Aluminium, carbon fibre, steel and titanium, and how each affects the ride.

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Brands

Selected manufacturers and the representative models they make.

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Categories

Bicycle Types

Different designs serve different purposes. Find your category.

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Black road bike with drop handlebars and deep-section wheels on a dark studio background
Photo: Mikkel Bech / Unsplash

Road Bike

Designed for efficient riding on paved roads. Road bikes are light, with drop handlebars, narrow tyres and a forward-leaning riding position that reduces wind resistance.

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Gravel bike with drop handlebars, disc brakes and tan-wall tyres against a wooden wall
Photo: Dmitrii Vaccinium / Unsplash

Gravel Bike

A versatile drop-bar bike for both paved roads and unpaved tracks. Gravel bikes have wider tyres and more relaxed geometry than road bikes, and many have mounts for bags and racks.

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Dark green hybrid bike with flat handlebars and a rear rack parked by a white railing beside a river
Photo: Marija Zaric / Unsplash

Hybrid Bike

Combines features of road and mountain bikes for everyday riding. Hybrids usually have flat handlebars, an upright riding position and medium-width tyres.

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Close-up of a bicycle drivetrain: rear cassette, chain, spokes and disc brake rotor
Photo: Harvey Tan Villarino / Pexels

How a bike works

Anatomy of a Bicycle

Every bicycle is an assembly of systems working together. Understanding the components helps you maintain, upgrade and choose the right bike.

  • Drivetrain

    Chain, cassette and crankset transfer power to the wheel.

  • Brakes

    Rim and disc systems for controlled stopping.

  • Wheels & Tyres

    Rims, hubs and tyres affect grip and rolling resistance.

  • Frame & Cockpit

    The frame and steering parts shape handling and fit.

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Real bicycles

Featured Models

A selection of real bicycle models and what they are built for.

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Side by side

Compare two bicycles side by side

Choose any two bicycles and see their type, frame material, weight, wheels, brakes, drivetrain and gears in one table. A neutral comparison: no scores and no winner.

Compare Bicycles