What kind of bike should I get?

As a cyclist I'm often asked for advice on how to get started in cycling. The question usually goes something like "What kind of bike should I buy?" or "So, how much does a new bike cost?" I would get this question a lot back when I was riding regularly, but I still hear it occasionally. So I decided to update some blog posts I wrote a while back for "newbie" riders. In the series I want to address the issues of 1. Choosing a bike; 2. Bike fit; 3. Clothing; 4. Equipment; 5. Essential skills. In this piece, I address the issue of what kind of bike to buy.

Don't buy a bike at a big box discount store.
There are some things that big box stores like Costco, and Target are great for, buying a bike is probably not one of them. As a runner friend is fond of saying, "You don't buy your running shoes at Payless." Sometimes low prices are bargains, and sometimes low prices are just cheap, and sometimes cheap means you'll be spending more money down the road, whether it's to replace your original purchase or because of injury. Avoid all that and spend a little more to start with.

What kind of riding are you interested in?
Do you want to ride dirt trails and go off-road? Do you like riding fast on asphalt? Do you just want to ride with friends and family on the occasional weekend outing? How you answer these questions is critical because it will determine what type of bike you should probably buy.

If you want to be a roadie, perhaps you see yourself racing or riding with a local club, you probably want a road bike. These bikes are usually built for speed, they tend to be light and very responsive. The lighter frames these days are made of aluminum or carbon fiber. The geometry of these bikes however makes riders take on a more "crouched over" position that may be uncomfortable for the novice rider. However, usually a good fit will minimize aches; this is one reason why you probably don't want to buy your bike at a discount store. The salesperson at the superstore who makes minimum wage and probably doesn't even ride a bike, couldn't fit you properly to your bike even if he wanted to. His or her training is in ringing you up and restocking his department.

If you know you're going to do trail riding, then you want a mountain bike. Mountain bikes are built for tough terrain. Tires are wider, the tread is made for dirt and are more "grippy." Most mountain bikes have shock absorbers in the front fork. The more expensive bikes have shock absorbers for both wheels. However, the thing that has made mountain bikes popular is that they allow riders to sit much more upright, which affords a more comfortable ride. Another advantage of these bikes is that they have three chainrings (the big gears attached to the pedals) that allows for more gears which makes going up hills a lot easier. According to a salesman at a local bike shop, this is the reason why the vast majority of mountain bikes they sell never see dirt. Today, there is a huge variety of bikes, with traditional 26 in wheels and with the newer 29 in wheels. The larger wheels allow for smoother riding in rough terrain.

A third alternative is the hybrid bike. A hybrid, as the name implies, is a cross between a road and mountain bike. It offers the more comfortable upright position of a mountain bike, but it has the narrower tires and a lighter frame than the typical mountain bike. While these bikes are heavier than road bikes, they handle the pavement very well and do well on dirt and gravel roads. They probably don't do well on mountain trails however. These are bikes that beginners can enjoy as a beginning step into cycling. My first "real" bike was a hybrid, a Specialized Crossroads. Hybrids are great for cruising, but have more gears than say a beach cruiser, they are good on the road, but are more comfortable than a road bike, and while they aren't the best on mountain trails, they hold their own on rough pavement or trails.

Bike Fit.
I've mentioned this already but it bears repeating: No matter what type of bike you get, fit is key. Most bike shops, especially local shops, offer to fit, or adjust your new bike to your body. Good bike fit will prevent back pain and knee problems and improve comfort. The more comfortable you are on your bike, the more likely you will be to ride and the more enjoyable your rides will be.

Stay tuned for future articles and ideas for new cyclists. Let me know if you have any questions, I'll be happy to cover them in the future.

Ride on!