| Cycling is a recreation, a sport and a
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| | can weigh as little as 3.55 kg (7.8 lb)
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| means of transport across land. It
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| | Being sized for a bike and taking it for
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| involves riding bicycles, unicycles,
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| | a test ride are both recommended before
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| tricycles, quadricycles and other human
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| | making a purchase. Many road bikes
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| powered vehicles (HPVs). As a sport it is
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| | include clipless pedals in which special
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| governed internationally by the Union
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| | shoes attach via a cleat mechanism to
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| Cycliste Internationale in Switzerland
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| | special pedals, which allows for the
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| (for upright bicycles) and by the
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| | transfer of power to the bike throughout
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| International Human Powered Vehicle
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| | the entire pedaling motion. Riding in the
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| Association (for other HPVs). Cycling for
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| | dark also requires lights; riding in wet
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| transport and touring is promoted on a
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| | weather requires raingear such as cycling
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| European level by the European Cyclists'
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| | gloves, a waterproof jacket and/or
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| Federation, and regular conferences are
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| | overtrousers and possibly waterproof
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| held under the auspices of Velo City,
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| | overshoes.
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| whereas global conferences are
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| | The drivetrain components of the bike
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| coordinated by Velo Mondial
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| | should also be considered. A middle grade
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| World-wide, the vehicle most commonly
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| | derailleur is most likely sufficient for
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| used for transportation is a utility
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| | a beginner, although many utility bikes
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| bicycle. Utility bicycles tend to have a
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| | come equipped with hub gears. If the
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| more relaxed geometry, with priority
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| | rider plans a significant amount of hill
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| given to the rider's comfort. Most come
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| | climbing, a triple-crank (three
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| with components that make commuting by
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| | chainrings) front gear system may be
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| bicycle more practical, such as fenders
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| | preferred. Otherwise, the relatively
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| (also called mudguards in some English
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| | inexpensive and lighter double-crank (two
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| speaking regions), racks (for mounting
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| | chainrings) system may suffice.
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| cargo bags or baskets), chainguards,
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| | There is a wide variety of accessories
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| kickstands, bells and generator light
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| | that can be purchased together with or
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| systems.
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| | after the bicycle itself. These include
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| The two most popular types of bicycle in
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| | locks, mudguards/fenders, luggage racks
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| North America, where cycling for
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| | and pannier bags, pumps, cycling shorts,
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| recreation is more common, are mountain
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| | pantleg clips, cycling shoes, cycling
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| bikes and road bicycles. They tend to
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| | gloves, spare inner tubes, CO2
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| have a more aggressive geometry which
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| | cartridges, water bottles and water
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| requires the rider to bend forward more.
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| | bottle cages, puncture repair kits and
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| To reduce cost and weight, those types
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| | tyre levers, bicycle computers, studded
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| are usually sold without the components
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| | tires and Banana cases.
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| that make utility bicycles more
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| | Items legally mandatory in some
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| practical.
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| | jurisdictions for safety reasons include:
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| The price of a new bicycle can range from
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| | bicycle helmets, lighting and audible
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| US$50 (on sale) to more than US$23,000 ),
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| | signalling devices (such as a bell or
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| depending primarily on the quality, type
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| | horn).
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| and weight (the most exotic road bicycles
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