Bike Buying Guide

Buying a bike or bikes is like having a mini investment. Why? Spending money always entails responsibility, so ensure that you make the most of your every purchase, especially when you are buying a bike for whatever purpose it may be for fitness, fun, or hobby. Other people cycle to go to work or for -road on trails and tracks. Some are bicycle racing, while others only like to enjoy a sunny day in the park with friends or family. Whatever your reason to cycle, you’ll love riding when your new bike is perfect for you.

You might be overwhelmed by hundreds of different bikes to choose from and many stores to shop into. You might be overwhelmed, but when you have planned and have fully decided what to buy, you are indeed ready to have one. However, when you are still confused about what to buy, you must consider some crucial points before rushing your bike purchase.

a mountain bike with green color parked in the middle of the road

GET THE BIKE THAT SUITS YOU

Buying a bike is also like buying a pair of shoes. Know what suits you, including your primary purpose, what type of rider you are, your preferred style, color, etc.

THREE MAJOR TYPES OF BIKES include mountain bikes, road bikes, and city bikes.

  • Mountain bikes, although they can be used on sealed surfaces, they are specifically designed for off-road riding on fire trails and bush tracks.
  • Road bikes are exclusively designed for sealed roads and used for fast riding.
  • City bikes are suited for fitness, commuting, or recreational riding. They can be used on unsealed roads, but typically you’ll find them in parks and suburbs.

To help you decide on the type of bike that suits you, ask yourself first where you want to ride and with whom. Cycling with a friend is enjoyable, especially when you all have the right type of bike for your purposes.

WHAT KIND OF RIDER ARE YOU?

You haven’t tried biking but dreams to be one of the best bikers in town, don’t limit yourself because with discipline, motivation, and proper training, you’ll get to that stage. However, you asked then what kind of bike are you going to buy?

First, assess how long it will take for you to transition from a newbie to a performance level cyclist? There are off-road bikes or mountain bikes like —, or cyclocross bikes—, or folding bikes if you just wish to use them for leisure or commuting to work.

SAVE UPFRONT

Once you have decided what cyclist you would be, you can decide what bike to save and buy.

You can check the prices online with physical stores where you want to purchase. It’s wise to save money upfront and get a quality bike with what you pay for. Some more expensive bikes aren’t necessarily more comfortable than a recreational model, it’s lighter and stiffer for better hill climbing, efficiency, and acceleration.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT FIT!

You may be surprised to know that most people who ride bikes don’t know how important it is to fit their bicycle correctly. It’s not only about the right frame size.

There are other measurements about your bike that must be properly addressed to get the most out of your new bike. Of course, everyone wants the perfect fir to feel more comfortable whether in handling a recreational bike or, alternatively, more efficiency and aerodynamics if you are racing.

An enthusiast mountain biker faced with hills and varying terrain would seek handling and efficiency above comfort and aerodynamics, for instance. Cycling is most comfortable when your bike is perfectly fitted to you.

CHOOSE THE BEST FRAMING

Framing matters! Framing is the backbone of a bicycle. When you have a superior frame means you have the makings of a bicycle that is a joy to ride. There are different kinds of framing and materials being used. Lighter ones are useful for easier hill climbing, stiff for blinding acceleration, or compliant for a comfortable ride. The design, materials, workmanship, and testing are four elements that are central to a great frame.

Cheap bikes usually use cheap frames. Expert cyclist quickly spots cheap frames than expensive ones, and when you use the bikes with cheaper frames, you can feel the difference.