How to Choose a Bicycle

[ View More 'How-To' Topics ]

Road Racing Bicycle	Mountain Bike
Hybrid Bicycle	Cruisers Bicycle

How to choose a bicycle is a big question for many riders, experienced or new to the game. It is a decision that warrants some thought because it is going to determine what style of riding you do, and how often you do it.

If you don’t know how to choose a bicycle, you should know, there is some thought that goes into the process. What kind of bike do you want? How much riding do you want to do? What is your purpose for riding? All of these questions, and many more, will determine what style of bicycle is right for you and how to choose a bicycle for your needs.

What Kind of Bike is Right for Me?

This is the first question you need to ask yourself because this ultimately determines the style of riding you want to do, and thus, the style of bike you need to purchase. If you are just learning how to choose a bike, you should know there are four main styles of bikes to choose from:

Road Racing Bicycles

Road bikes are designed for riding on paved streets and for speed. They have a lightweight frame, skinny tires, and a low riding position where the rider is bent over the handlebars. They are better for traveling longer distances and for speed.

Mountain Bikes

Mountain bikes are designed to handle rugged trails and terrain. They have wide tires with larger treads and a stout frame. They are not as fast as road bikes, but they are built for durability and have an upright sitting position.

Hybrid Bicycles

A Hybrid bike is a combination between a road bike and a mountain bike. They have skinnier, smoother tires than mountain bikes, and can travel a little faster, but they have an upright seat.

Cruisers Bicycles

A cruiser is a bike that has wide tires, wide seats, and upright handlebars. They are often seen at the beach. They work best with flat terrain, and they’re for riders whose primary interest is comfort while riding their bicycle.

Smart Shopping for Bicycles

Once you determine what type of bicycle is right for you, the most important part of learning how to choose a bicycle is shopping smart. Before you go out there and purchase the first bike that is pitched to you, it’s important to remember a few things before you begin:

Borrow a bike and try it out – When you have determined what style of bike is best for you, borrow a bike from a friend and try it out. Go on a ride long enough to determine whether you’re comfortable on the bike if you enjoy the particular style of riding, and if it’s the proper pace and terrain for you.

Don’t make a choice based solely on budget – I know, budgets are a reality for most people, but when you learning how to choose a bicycle, you’re not shopping for something minor or disposable, where most peoples’ mantras are, “the cheaper, the better” Just make sure your ultimate goal is not to find the cheapest bicycle, but the best bicycle at a price that will meet your needs.

Consider buying used – If you’re not sure if you’ll stick with biking, you may want to consider getting a great used bike. There are so many sources, from Craigslist to classified ads in the newspaper and even eBay for places to search for a quality used bicycle. With a little online research, you can determine fair prices for quality bicycles. Also, make sure you’re buying from a valid seller. Only use reputable sites and sellers with good reviews from other people.

Tip: When you test-ride a bicycle, do test it out over different terrain.

If you decide to test-ride a bicycle before buying it online, make sure your test route covers a few different kinds of terrain.

Obviously, the store is not going to let you take their cruiser bicycles on a dirt trail, but even road bicycles should be tested on different kinds of road surfaces. You don't want any nasty surprises after you've forked over good money for your bike!