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Road racers. Loaded tourers. Recumbents. Hardtails. Dualies. Hybrids. Cross bikes.
Sport tourers. Commuters. Cruisers. Comfort bikes. Tandems. Head spinning yet? Try
folders, singlespeeds, freeriders, downhillers, track machines, travel bikes.
It’s a miracle people leave the shop with the right bike. Need help? Before you shop,
answer the following questions and check the five basic bike types chart to fit the
wheel to your deal.
1. Why do you bike?
Don’t buy a bike because your friend bought one, unless you plan to ride just like
your friend. Decide what you want in a bike. Is it riding for fitness? Is it for
pedaling around town? For off-road excursions? For travel? To take up bike racing?
To commute? Write down as many reasons as you can come up with and think carefully
about which ones are realistic.
2. Who are you?
Some people want the best of everything; others are frugal and consider affordability
first. A serious athlete will have different goals than someone mostly interested
in recreation. Tech heads prefer the latest and most advanced engineering. Some
cyclists want a unique machine that sets them apart from the masses. One way to
determine where you fit is by thinking about other big purchases you made recently
and the decisions you made in the process. The better you know yourself, the easier
it’ll be to get a bike you’re happy with.
3. What kind of riding do you want to do?
Before answering, consider what type of riding is available in your area. For
example, it would be questionable to purchase a downhill racing mountain bike if you
live in Flatsville, Wisconsin. If you’re not sure because you’re new to cycling or
the area, visit a local shop and ask the people there where the great riding is to
help decide which model will be most fun for you. For many cyclists, the answer is
two bikes, one for road use and another for off off-road use.
4. What do you want to spend?
Hit the shops with a good idea of what you’d be comfortable spending. Every bike type
is available in a wide range of prices based on the frame material, the design and
the components it’s equipped with. If you can determine your comfort level, the dealer
can steer you toward bikes of the type you like in that general range and it’ll save
searching the aisles. It’s worth looking at slightly more expensive models to get a
feel for what a little extra cash buys. Often, for 15% more money, you can get parts
that would cost much more to purchase individually. If you’ve got the bucks it might
make sense to get the better bike. But keep in mind the essential accessories such as
a helmet and flat-tire repair kit that you may need and that these will add to the
total cost of the bike.
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