Choosing the Right Bicycle

Bikes can be expensive investments, so buying one that suits your needs and fits your style is important. For example, mountain bikers will need a bike that is considerably different from a street bike, a racing bike or a track bike. As you consider your options, keep the following tips in mind.
 

Tips on How to Pick a Bike

Before going into a cycling shop, decide how you plan to use the bike so that you and the salesman can narrow down your options. Do you need a bike for leisurely street riding, for racing or for cross training?
 
Also, set a price range for yourself. Keep in mind as you are setting price limits that you will still have to buy clothing, a helmet and other accessories.
 
Some of the various bikes you can choose from include:
  • cruisers: made for slow, relaxed rides. They feature level seats for an upright riding position as well as one fixed gear and big cushy tires.
  • hybrid bikes: a cross between the mountain bike and the road bike. Hybrids are good for city riding, commuting or fitness training. They feature an upright riding position, flat handlebars, low gears for hills, powerful brakes and load-carrying capacities.
  • mountain bikes: mountain bikes feature an upright riding position, flat or riser handlebars, high-traction tires, low gearing, excellent braking and suspension for control on rough terrain.
  • road sport bikes: designed for sidewalk travel as well as fast acceleration and easy handling. These bikes are made of lightweight material, have quality breaks and a variety of gears. They also feature narrow, high-pressure tires.

Choosing the Material of Your Bike's Frame

Once you have figured out what type of bike you want, consider the material that it is made from, especially the frame. The frame is the one part of the bike that you will never replace, so be sure to get one that is made from a material that will suit your cycling needs.
 
The different types of materials your bike's frame can be made of include:
  • aluminum: light, stiff and resistant to corrosion.
  • carbon fiber: light, strong and corrosion resistant. Carbon fiber frames are very expensive, so they are often used only by professionals.
  • steel: very strong, flexible and sturdy but heavy and vulnerable to rust.
  • titanium: lighter, stronger and more flexible than steel. Like carbon fiber, titanium's cost makes it a material that only professionals should consider.

Bike Features

Once you have decided on your material, consider what features you need:
  • brakes: While some mountain brakes have disc brakes, others have hydraulic brakes that are more difficult to adjust and maintain. Caliper brakes are another option and tend to work well.
  • gears: If you intend to take on a lot of hills as you cycle, you will need a bike that has more gears. Mountain bikes tend to have the most gears, with some having up to 27.
  • suspension: Although front suspension is standard on most mountain bikes, rear suspension might be good for those who want to practice off-road cycling.

The Cost of a Buying a Bike

Bikes come with a variety of features so the cost of a bike ranges widely. While you can get a simple cruiser bike for less than $250, some mountain bikes can cost as much as $3,000.
 
As far as mountain bikes are concerned, most of the factories that make the frames and components use similar materials and methods of production. As a result, getting a bike from a lesser known brand won't terribly compromise the quality. Keep in mind that if you do purchase a mountain bike, you should get a high performance one, as many first-timers opt for a low performance one, only to discover they want to do more than the bike will allow.
 
Resources
 
Bicycletrip.com (n.d.). Choosing a Bike. Retrieved
December 3, 2006, from Bicycle Trip Web site.
 
Henderson, A. (n.d.). How To: Choose A Bike. Retrieved
December 3, 2006, from AskMen.com Web site.