The Right Bike:

Tips for purchasing the right bike for you.

Well, we at Get-Into-Cycling.com are here to help so in this section we’re going to show you how to buy your bike. We’ll discuss the various bikes available and narrow down what is right for your particular needs or interests. We’ll also give you purchasing tips to help you get the best deals for your money. So read on and find out the right bike for you.

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Do your homework

Remember as a kid being asked by your mom or dad: "Did you do your homework?!?" Of course you always say you did, when you really didn’t. You were busy watching cartoons or playing video games.....you know, the important stuff. But mom and dad always found out when report card time came around! Now you’re all grown up and you’ve come to realize how important it is to do your homework......especially for a major purchase such as a car, a house or a bike!

Research is the first step in finding the right bike for you. And the first place to start is right in your own home: The computer! The internet is a wealth of information for researching what bike will be right for you. Other sources of information include your local bike shop, bicycling related books/magazine reviews and friends/family who are already into cycling. So what bike is right for you? Ask yourself the following questions:

- "How much can I afford?" Are you willing to go into debt for your bike? We hope not. Plan your budget accordingly when getting ready to purchase your bike, especially if it’s your first bike. Don’t overspend on a bike or accessories. Take your time and find the right bike you’ll be happy with for a long time.

- "What type of cycling do I like?" Do you like flying down an open highway? How about riding down a dirt fire road in the back country? Maybe you like cruising by the beach or maybe a long distance tour. Whatever style of riding you like, decide what kind of riding you’re going to be doing for the most part and choose the right bike that is capable of that style of riding.

- "What brands am I interested in?" Whatever brand you’re interested in, go to that particular brand’s website and check out the models that they carry. If they offer a catalog, request a copy or go to a local retailer that carries the particular model(s) you’re looking for. Check the various online reviews for the bikes you’re interested in.

- "Do I want a new or used bike?" Let’s look at the pros and cons of both:

-New Bicycles-

Pros: Brand new, or course. It’s never been used or abused by anyone else. No mechanical issues to be concerned about, because it’s new! Usually comes with a warranty and a free tune-up (usually during the first month or year of ownership). New bikes usually have the latest parts and technology.

Cons: More expensive because it’s new.

-Used Bicycles-

Pros: Much more cheaper than a comparable new one. You can get a top quality used bike with great components at a fraction of the cost of a new one with the same or cheaper parts.

Cons: Sometimes you get what you pay for. Used bikes may have mechanical or structural issues depending on how the previous owner maintained or rode the bike. Shop carefully.

- "Do I plan on riding a lot or only occasionally?" If you plan to ride a lot, you may want to consider purchasing a bike of significant quality versus something that is inexpensive and has poor quality. If you can’t afford to spend more, don’t. Buy what you can. However, the more you ride the sooner you’ll find out why the bike was so cheap. If you can afford to spend a little extra (or at least save up for it) , you might want to consider a quality bike.....regardless if it’s new or used. You’ll be more satisfied in the long run.

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Picking the right bike for you

In this section, we’ll look at picking the right bike for you. If you’re still wondering what bike is the right one for you, let’s talk about the various bikes that are available so you can decide which one is best for your needs. Be advised, that this is not a complete listing of all the bicycle types out there, so we apologize if the bike you are interested in is not described here. This is a work in progress:

Types of bicycles

--ROAD--

This category of bicycle is generally called the “10-speed.” You know, the bike with the funny looking “ram horn” shaped handlebars and the skinny tires. Well, if this is the type of bike you’re considering, you’re in for a surprise. 10, 12 and even 14 speed bikes are considered old by today’s standards. The modern road bike usually has between 16-20 speeds. Road bikes are designed primarily for riding on paved surfaces. The sports cars of the bicycle world. They are generally not suitable for off road use (unless specifically stated). Here are some examples of some road bikes:

Racing/Criterium: This type of road bike is designed primarily for high speed road racing. They accelerate quick and have excellent handling. However they are very uncomfortable since they are strictly performance machines.

Touring/Sport/Flat-Bar: Touring bikes are designed for comfort and riding long distances. They usually have more relaxed frame angles for a "softer" ride and are equipped with mounts to allow for racks and extra water bottle cages. Sport bikes are in between touring and racing bikes. They are designed for more all around type riding: High speeds and fairly decent handling without sacrificing some comfort. A flat bar road bike is essentially a sport bike with a flat, mountain bike style handlebar and brake levers/shifters.

Time-trial/Triathalon: These bikes are designed to "slice" through the wind in the most efficient manner possible using aerodynamically designed frames, wheels and handlebars. Just like their racing/criterium counterparts, these bikes are also built for speed and are a specialty racing bike designed for a specific type of riding. We don't recommend this type of bike for your first purchase (unless you plan to get into triathalons).

Cyclocross: The cyclocross bike is a unique type of road bike which can be ridden on dirt roads. Cyclocross bikes have frames similar to touring bikes, but are much lighter since they are designed for cyclocross racing, which involves dismounting off your bike and being able to carry it over obstacles.

Hybrid/Comfort: Hybrid and comfort bikes are essential mountain bikes designed for road use. Comfort bikes generally use 26" wheels similar to mountain bikes but with smooth tread, whereas hybrids are equipped with 700c size road tires. Regardless of tire size, these bikes are ideal for day tours and cruising. They are very versatile because they can travel on or off-road with confidence. If you want the performance of a road bike with the off road capability of a mountain bike in a tidy, all-in-one package, then this is the right bike for you.

Recumbent: A recumbent is a special type of road bike that is designed primarily with comfort in mind. Unlike the traditional bicycle, a recumbent resembles an “easy chair, ” with their laid back/relaxed type of design. Recumbents usually ride lower to the ground with a more reclined sitting position and the steering located either in front or under the seat, making them ideal for long distance riding. Gearing is also more relaxed, but don’t be fooled by it’s relaxed stance: The recumbent is still a very fast bicycle.

Single-speed/fixed/track: A single-speed/fixed/track style bicycle has no derailleurs or shifters. They are used primarily in velodrome/stadium racing and are popular with bike messangers. It has one, fixed gear, although some have a freewheeling gear. Most have no brakes, but if they do have brakes, it is normally for the front wheel only. They are the simplest and oldest style of road bike available. Currently, there has been a resurgence in single speed style bikes due to its simplistic and no-nonsense design. However, we don’t recommended this type of bike for your first bike since it requires a little more technique to master the fixed drive. Plus the single speed makes climbing a bit more of a challenge than on a bike that has derailleurs. But if you insist on getting one, make sure you get one with a freewheeling gear and brakes.

--MOUNTAIN--

This category of bicycle is also known as a “fat-tire” bike or an all-terrain bike (ATB), due to the large, knobby tires that are usually equipped on these bikes. The mountain bike is designed, plain and simply, for riding off road (as well as on road), but the majority of people who own “mountain bikes” rarely ride off road. For most, this is the right bike to have, because it goes pretty much anywhere you want it to go and does it fairly well. Think of the mountain bike as the SUV or pick-up truck of bicycles. There are three common styles of mountain bikes that are available in the bicycle market:

Hardtail: A mountain bike with only front suspension but no rear suspension.

Rigid: A mountain bike with no suspension at all.

Full-Suspension: As its name implies, a bike with both front and rear suspension.

Now that you have an idea of the styles of mountain bikes, let’s take a look at the various sub-categories of mountain bikes:

Cross-country: The cross-country type mountain bike is the most common of all mountain bikes. It is designed as an all around off-road riding machine and are available in all three styles: Hardtail, rigid or full-suspension.

Freeride: A freeride style mountain bike is designed for a more specific type of mountain biking which involves more technical riding and jumping. Freeride bikes are generally more durably designed than your standard cross-country bike due to the more intense riding style. Freeride bikes share more in common with a downhill style mountain bike than a cross-country bike. Freeride bikes are generally full-suspension or hardtails.

Downhill or Gravity: This particular style of bike is designed primarily for descending at high speed. These bikes are not designed for climbing, but to handle an extreme amount of abuse while going downhill. They usually have heavy duty suspension and no front derailleur. Downhill bikes also have heavier gauge frames and burlier tires. Weight is not a major concern of downhill bikes. Downhill bikes are usually full suspension machines.

Single-speed: Just like it’s road counterpart, a single-speed mountain bike does not have any derailleurs, but that’s where the similarity ends. Unlike a single-speed road bike, a single-speed mountain bike has a freewheeling rear gear and brakes (usually disc or v-brakes). These bikes are also lower geared to handle all sorts of terrain. Single-speed mountain bikes are available as rigid or hardtail styles.

Trials: A trials style mountain bike resembles a cross-country but are usually equipped with ultra-low gearing (almost BMX like) allowing this type of bike to traverse all sorts of terrain. A trials bike is designed primarily for stunt or trick riding. Trials bikes weigh less than other styles of mountain bikes allowing the trials cyclist to ride or jump over almost any obstacle: walls, logs, tables, cars, etc., etc. Trials bikes are generally rigid or hardtail styles.

City/Comfort: A city or comfort bike are essential mountain bikes designed for cruising. They use 26" wheels similar to other mountain bikes but with smooth tread. These bikes are ideal for day tours and cruising. They are very versatile because they can travel on or off-road fairly well. They are available in all three styles: Hardtail, rigid or full-suspension.

--OTHER STYLES--

Aside from road and mountain bikes, there are several other styles of bikes that are available for your consideration.

BMX/Freestyle: A BMX style bicycle is generally designed for bicycle motocross racing. They are made light and very strong to withstand hard acceleration and high jumps. A freestyle bike is essential a BMX bike designed for trick riding. They are not as light, but are very durable to allow the rider to perform various stunts and tricks. These bike generally have a 20" size wheel or smaller.

Cruiser: A cruiser bike is generally a single speed or multi-speed bike designed for comfort riding. Unlike road and mountain style comfort bikes, these bikes have a more flashy appearance and “luxury” type items, such as, spring-loaded seats, fat-balloon tires, comfortable handlebars, lots of chrome and metallic paint, fenders, kickstand, etc. etc. Think of them as a luxury sedan for bicycles. This is a great choice for those who just want a bike to putt around town with.

Tricycle/Quadcycle: A tricycle has three wheels as oppose to a bicycle which has two. A quadcycle has four wheels. So why are we talking about tricycles and quadcycles? Because it’s still a “cycle.” And besides, there are those who have never learned to ride a bicycle or have medical conditions that may prevent them from riding a bicycle. So a good compromise is a tricycle or a quadcycle. They require no balance and are a good way to “get into cycling.” Tricycles are the more versatile of the bunch and more common. They are available in an upright design like a regular cruiser bike or as a recumbent design. They are also available with single or multi-speed gearing. A quadcycle is usually a single or multi passenger cycle, equipped with automobile style steering. The multi passenger designs usually have additional pedals for all passengers to participate in powering the cycle. Quadcycles are more of a novelty cycle and are usually a common site at tourist spots and beaches as rentals.

Unicycle: A unicycle is a great cycle that helps develop balance and handling, plus they are also a lot of fun. This would be a great cycle to try if you want to break away from the norm. Recently, unicycles have become popular with the off-road crowd.

--WOMEN SPECIFIC AND YOUTH--

This is more of a frame style or sizing as opposed to a type of bike. All the bicycles previously mentioned are available in frame styles and sizing for women and children. Most modern women specific bicycles are generally identical in appearance to other bicycles. Unlike the stereotypical women’s bike with the lowered top tube and pastel colored paint job (as pictured above), the only differences nowadays are the lengths of the frame tubing as well as the sizing of the components (i.e. seatposts, handlebars, stems, crankarms, etc.). Women specific bikes are not just for women: Men who are not as tall or teenage children may find these sizes of bikes a good fit. So you don’t have to compromise or step down to a youth sized bike that is poorly designed or spend hundreds of dollars for a customized job. A women specific bike might be the right bike for you.

As far as youth sized bikes, please check out our “Kids Bikes” section for more tips and advise on how to find the right bike for your child.

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Finding the best deals

So how do you find the right bike at the best deals? Shop around! Don’t settle with the first bike that comes up on your radar (unless you absolutely know for sure that it is a good deal). Do your homework (like we’ve said before) and check out various retailers. For more helpful tips see our "where to buy" section for more advise on where you can find a bike.

Be careful though.....some retailers may try to pressure you to buy a bike (bike shopping can sometimes be just as bad as car shopping.......but this is very rare). But if this should happen, say “thank you” and buy somewhere else. You won’t find the right bike by being pressured by someone else.

Make a list of the bikes that you are interested in and compare each one to the other. Things to consider when you compare:

- Frame and fork materials.

- Component selection (Brands of shifters, derailleurs, brakes, etc.).

- Other items (Seat, wheels, tires, etc.).

- Price.

Once you’ve decide which is the right bike for you, it’s time to go down to a local shop that carries the models that you are interested in and take a test ride of the bikes you’re interested in. Note the following when you ride the bike:

- How comfortable are you on the bike? Does the riding position feel cramped or too large?

- How is your reach to the handlebars and shifters/brake levers? Do you have to stretch to reach it? Do you need a shorter/longer stem or smaller/wider handlebar?

- How is the seat height? Is the saddle comfortable?

- How does the bike handle? Is the steering responsive? How about the shifting and braking? Does the frame and fork soak up the bumps as you ride?

Once you’ve narrowed down your choice, consider the following:

- Does the shop (regardless if it’s online or not) offer a warranty?

- Do they pricematch? (Example: If it’s cheaper online, see if a local shop that carries the identical bike will pricematch, so you can save on shipping and waiting.) Generally speaking, most bike shop prices are fixed, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. Larger chain bike shops will usually pricematch.

- Do they offer an extended service, like free maintenance checks for a year?

- Will they throw in any extras, like a water bottle cage or upgraded components?

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Finding the right bike is very important if you want to enjoy the sport of cycling at its fullest. By researching where to buy, the type of riding you want to do and what accessories you'll need, you'll avoid being one of those who become discouraged with the activity because they purchased equipment that was not appropriate for their interests. Take your time and enjoy the experience. Happy shopping and riding.

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