How to Choose a Bicycle

The variety of bicycle types never occurs to the bicycle novice, but the fact is that choosing the right bicycle for your activity preferences is a challenging, yet important part of the process. Getting the right bike can be the difference between a fun new hobby and another dust collector to go with all of the old fitness equipment in your garage. Here are some things to consider when choosing a new bicycle.

Instructions

1. Learn the most standard types of bicycles, and find out about their advantages and disadvantages in the terrain on which you will be choosing to ride. Anyone who has ever tried to ride a road bike off-road can attest to the importance of having the right bike for the right surface. Here are a few types: Standard bikes are single speed bikes with coaster style brakes (To brake, you pedal backwards). A beach cruiser is one type of standard bike, made different only by the fact that it has wider tires than a standard road bike, for cruising along the waterline of a flat sandy beach. Road bikes are bicycles that are designed specifically to give good performance on pavement. Racing or performance bikes and touring bikes both fit into this category. While racing bikes are lighter weight, placing the rider in a streamline and aggressive posture, touring bikes are heavier, and provide a more user-friendly seat, often with cushioning or springs. They are designed for long ride comfort and often are designed to carry loads. For the most part, Road bikes have or "aero" handlebars that allow the rider a range of hand positions for comfort or for rolling into an aerodynamic position for riding. Mountain bikes are made for off road use. They typically have compact frames, stable handling, forks with clearance for wide and knobby tires, and often have higher handlebars that allow the rider a more upright position than a Road bike. Hilly Terrain requires low range gearing which is standard equipment on a mountain bike. Even in this style of bicycle, there are variations made for either racing, downhill rides or cross country racing. Mountain Bikes are usually equipped with a sophisticated spring suspension and will often even have disc brake systems for better control. Recumbent bikes are excellent for touring. With a natural sitting position, the rider’s seat is much like a chair, giving far more comfort. This is a slower moving steady road bike with a higher center of gravity. They often come equipped with windshields and even rain covers for all weather riding.

2. Once you have familiarized yourself with the various style of bike available to you, think through the sort of person you are. Are you a daredevil, not afraid of a few scrapes and bruises? Then a mountain bike may be the one for you. Are you a leisurely rider who goes short distances, but appreciates the beach and laid back environments? If so, you may want to choose a standard bike or beach cruiser? Are you a speed demon? Maybe a racing bike is right up your alley. Maybe you like long rides through the countryside. You will want to consider a touring bike or possibly even a recumbent bike. Fit your bike style to your personality and your physicality. Don’t try to match your physicality to the bike, but rather the bike to who you already are.

3. Once you have determined what sort of bike best fits your personality, test ride a few bikes before you buy one. Most bike shops will be willing to help you in this regard. Frankly, it they are not, go to another shop, or else borrow a bike from a friend. When you are certain that the bike style you have chosen fits who you are, then find the bike you like best. Don’t cheap out. Get the right bike. If you spend $2000 and ride the bike all the time, you will have done yourself a better service than if you spend $500 and simply park it in the garage. Get the right bike--not the inexpensive one.

4. You are buying an investment. When you buy, have your bike assembled professionally by someone whose job it is to know bikes and their riders. Having your bike built professionally helps to insure all the nuts and bolts are installed and tightened correctly, and are fitted properly as well.

5. Buy the accompanying safety equipment that is appropriate for your style of riding. This will always include a proper safety helmet. If you are mountain biking, it may also include elbow and knee pads. In any case, the safety equipment isn’t extra. It’s part of a responsible bicycle purchase. Buy it and wear it. No excuses.

Tips & Warnings

• "I meant to buy one" or "It's too hot" is not going to help you if you split your head open because you failed to wear a safety helmet.