lllz

Hello to all bike community,

My question might be odd but at my 27 years old I have just learned how to ride it.
A friend helped me to pick up the bike and we got Fuji Sports 10, road bike.
But my question appeared later when I started reading more and more about these monsters.
I want to know what is the safest bike - a road bike, mountain bike or a cruiser?
By safest I mean it is more stable and more maneuverable.

CB HI

More stable and more maneuverable are often opposite characteristics.

lllz

let's say just safest

randya

IMO, a step-through upright urban utility bike

forget mountain bikes and road bikes

skye

Recumbents are by far the safest.

jefferee

Anything that fits properly and is in good mechanical repair should be reasonably maneuverable and stable.

What, exactly, do you find to be "monstrous" about road bikes?

caloso

The safest bike is the one ridden by the safest rider.

rat fink

For a skilled, aware rider: a competition fit road bike
For a unskilled, unaware rider: a Big Wheel (I know it's not a bike!)

ARider2

You might want to start with a balloon tire beach cruiser. These are stable and safe, if somewhat heavy and slow. But as a beginner you should not be worrying about speed. Otherwise a wide tire (26 inch X 1.95 or more) "comfort" bike which usually comes with a comfy gel seat and an upright riding position might suit you. Try riding each and go from there.

randya

what you're probably going to find is that everyone is going to recommend what they are familiar with and prefer

Personally, if I were you I would make a selection based on comfort and how you plan on using the bike, no specific type of bike is inherently safer than any other, and once you eliminate high-wheel pennyfarthings, all modern bikes with two wheels of equal size are considered 'safety bicycles'.

chipcom 

^^^ this

cudak888 

The last thing I'd give a beginner are steerhorn bars. That's the perfect way to teach poor handling skills for life.

-Kurt

KonAaron Snake 

Agreed...a safe bike is one that you learn to operate safely, including proper maintenance. A safe bike contains lights that will be seen if you ride at night and a safe bike has tires with tread and a proper inflation rate. Brake pads and rim surfaces should not be worn down. Steel rims are less safe, especially in the rain. It might sound like a lot, but it's really very easy to learn. I don't think any one bike type is inherently safer than another...some bike types are better suited for the type of riding you plan on doing.

Flying Merkel

Back in my heavy drinking days, I rode a '96 Specialized Rock Hopper. It always got me home regardless of terrain. Stable, maneuverable, and rugged. Passed the drunk test. My road bike was a bit too twitchy to be a drinking buddy. Now that I've cleaned up (mostly) the road bike gets the most use.

Some may argue with this logic.

lllz

my concern with my road bike are super thin tires. so i was wondering if the thickness of a tire adds up to stability.
i had my first lesson on saturday and did not bad on my bike, but at this point i am just wondering for a beginner is it ok to ride a road bike?

dougmc

An exercise bike?

Really, it's more about you than the bike.

dougmc

Larger tires are not always thicker. Larger tires do usually have lower pressures so they give a smoother ride -- but neither really has much to do with safety.
Sure, as long as it properly fits you and is in good mechanical condition.

CB HI

I am not sure you are correct, I know some that have tipped over on an exercise bike.

Probably even worse in a beginning spin class, with new clipless spin bikes.

LOL just thinking about a pelaton crash in spin class. Good old Phil announcing that an entire row of spinners were taken out by a single rider.

CB HI

On dry pavement, it will not make much difference. Some road bikes such as (older style) vintage bikes or touring bikes are often more stable than a compact racing road bike.

If you did not buy a $3,000 + compact road bike, you should be fine.

Laserman

+1

Welcome to Bike Forums. When you ask a question here, out of 10 replies you will get 11 different answers.
Road bikes with thin tires need to be ridden on smoother surfaces to avoid flat tires and wheel damage.
Mountain bikes and cruisers can be ridden on rougher surfaces without damage.
As to safety, 99% of bicycle safety is in the rider, not the bike.

layedback1

I would say a LWB recumbent with a safe rider would be at the top of the list.

AlmostTrick

Narrow tires are more likely to get caught in a crack or lose traction on wet or loose surfaces and cause a crash, especially for a beginner. Depending on the clearance on your frame / fork, you probably can fit a little bit wider tire on it. I would recommend doing this.

Leo H.

Like someone else here said, people will respond with what they're familiar with. I say, as a 49 year old restarting to ride regularly after 35 years off a bicycle, I found a diamond frame hardtail mtb to feel unsafe. On my own, I learned about recumbent bikes and I feel much more safe on my long wheel base recumbent bike. I'm lower to the ground, for starters, but that's not all.

Leo H.
Sun Valley, NV

lllz

this is a very good point. thank you

lllz

no, it is fuji 1976 ... pretty heavy and pretty vintage. hope this makes it more stable