All bicycles are designed and manufactured to be ridden in certain locations and conditions.

Therefore, it is important to choose the right bicycle for the intended use.

To make the information easier to understand, we have compiled the classification of the conditions of use of bicycles and the method of identification according to the European standard approved by CEN (European Committee for Standardization).

 

Bike Category
Intended riding purpose
Description 
Type of bicycles (examples)
 1

Commuting and
leisure with
moderate effort

Applies to bicycles and EPACs* used on regular paved surfaces where the tyres are intended to maintain ground contact at average speed with occasional drop.

City and urban bikes

 2
Leisure and trekking
with moderate effort
Applies to bicycles and EPACs and includes Condition 1 as well as unpaved and gravel roads and
trails with moderate gradients. In this set of conditions, contact with
irregular terrain and repeated tyre
contact with the ground may occur.
Drops are intended to be limited to
15 cm or less.
Trekking bike, travel
bike
 3
Sportive and
competitive with
moderately
challenging
technical trail
features
Applies to bicycles and EPACs and
includes Condition 1 and Condition 2 as well as rough trails, rough unpaved
roads, and rough terrain and unimproved trails that require technical skills.Jumps and drops are intended to be less than 60 cm.
Cross country and
marathon
4
Sportive and
competitive with
highly challenging
technical trail
features
Applies to bicycles and EPACs and
includes Condition 1, 2, and 3, or downhill gradients on rough trails at speeds less than 40 km/h, or both.
Jumps are intended to be less than 120 cm.
All mountain, trail
5
Extreme sports
Applies to bicycles and EPACs and
includes Condition 1, 2, 3, and 4; extreme jumping; or downhill gradients on rough trails at speeds in excess
of 40 km/h; or a combination thereof.
Downhill, dirt
jump, freeride
6
Sportive and
competitive with
intensive effort
Applies to bicycles and EPACs and
includes Condition 1, to be used in
competition or otherwise at high speed in excess of 50 km/h such as when descending or sprinting.
Road racing, time
trial, triathlon

 

* EPAC, electrically power assisted cycle.
Cycle, equipped with pedals and an auxiliary electric motor, which cannot be propelled exclusively by means of this auxiliary electric motor, except in the start-up assistance mode.