Bicycle Shops – Which bicycle is best for you?
First of all, we all should be agreed that buying a bicycle is a real store is not the same as buying it on the Internet. It is not a book, it is an item you should see or try. Before writing this article, I’ve visited dozens of web pages, online cycle-stores, producer’s websites, etc. And I have to tell you – if I’m about to buy a bicycle I will never do it online, except for bike’s accessories (there are a few excellent web stores for that).
Now, when we are ready to go, the best thing to do is to know what bike you would like to purchase.
There are several types of bicycles. Each of them has its benefits and weak point. You would certainly know them if you’re a professional, but if you’re new to this subject, you should better be aware of what kind of bikes are out there, so you could choose the bike that is best for you.
Mountain Bikes
Mountain bikes are built to tackle almost any terrain, from smooth rail-trails to aggressive single-track. They include super plush Long-travel bikes for the most epic environments.
Lightweight Cross Country Full Suspension bikes, with the ideal mix of plush and speed for climbing, descending, and all-out racing. Cross County hard-tails for all-purpose off-road riding and racing. and recreation bikes for trails, wild commutes, and all-around cycling fun.
Comfort Bikes
Comfort bikes are built for – you guessed it – comfort. Shock absorbing frames, saddles, and suspension systems take the edge off roads, paths, or rail trails.
Hybrid Bikes
Hybrid bikes are a blend of the best that mountain and road bikes have to offer – Mountain-style comfort and rode-wheel speed. They give you a healthier and comfortable way to go to work, go sightseeing, or just go away (in a good way, of course).
Road Bikes
Speed and comfort. That’s what race bikes are all about. In centuries. Triathlons. The Tour de France. Or challenging your personal best on a remote country highway. We’ve got the high performance, OCLV, Aluminum or Steel frames and components that’ll keep you flying.
Touring Bikes
Touring Bikes are designed for cyclists who enjoy spending their days, weeks or months on the open road. These bikes have rugged aluminum and Cro-Moly frames designed to carry the load – and are easy to ride, so you focus less on your panniers and more on how much you’re enjoying yourself.
Cruisers Bikes
Cruiser bikes have a retro stylish alternative look compared to today’s high tech bikes. They have a grate soft ride with there wide tires, wide seat and wide handlebars. Cruiser bikes are sure to get you where you are going in no hurry.
Freestyle Bikes
Freestyle bikes will go anywhere, do anything. Nothing Scares’em. Moon Shots. Can Cans. Table Tops. A couple of bar spins thrown in for effort. These bikes along with jumping bikes are the toughest and strongest bikes made.
Kids
Remember the first time you rode a bike? No training wheels. Mom or Dad holding on to the back of your seat for balance. Then off you went. Nothing keeping you up but your own pedaling. After a brief moment of panic, you experienced the freedom that only comes from the ride.
Have a good shopping!
Bicycle Buying Guide by Amazon
Finding the Right Bike
To really enjoy cycling, it’s important to find a bicycle that works for you. Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re in the market for a new bike:
The Right Ride
In general, bikes are broken down into three major categories:
- Road and Racing Bikes–As a general rule, road and racing are built for speed and longer distances on paved surfaces. Thinner tires, lightweight 29-inch (700c) wheels and drop bars that allow for a more aerodynamic position are the norms. Most road bikes, regardless of price, offer many gears for tackling both hilly and flat terrain.
- Mountain Bikes–With their larger tires, hill-friendly gearing, and upright position, mountain bikes are very popular for all types of riding, both on pavement and off. Mountain bikes that are designed specifically for rugged trail use typically feature a suspension fork. Some may have rear suspension, as well. A quick change of the tires on any mountain bike–even one that you use regularly on trails–adds to its versatility and makes it a worthy street machine.
- Comfort/Cruiser Bikes–For tooling around on bike paths, light trails, or for cruising a quiet beach-side lane, comfort/cruiser bikes are the ticket. With a super-relaxed riding position, padded seats, and limited or no gearing, these bikes are made for enjoying the scenery and having fun with the family.
The Right Price
A bike’s price boils down to three essentials: frame materials, bike weight, and component quality, and durability.
- Entry-level–You’ll find a wide range of comfort and cruiser bikes in this category, as well as some lower-end mountain bikes and road bikes. Most will have steel frames and components that are designed to last for several years with frequent use.
- Mid-range–bikes in this range may feature a lighter aluminum frame with mid-range components that keep performing after miles of use. If you’re looking for a quality bike that is relatively lightweight and will stand up to abuse, this is the “sweet spot.” Most serious commuter and touring bikes fall into this category, as do mid-range mountain bikes with a decent front suspension.
- High-end–Racers and serious enthusiasts who expect lightweight, high-performance components will want to stick to this category. For road bikes, exotic frame materials (carbon fiber, titanium) and ultra-lightweight components can add thousands to the price tag. Mountain bikes in this class often feature advanced front and rear suspension technology, as well as components designed to handle lots of rugged trail action.
The Right Size
Fit is crucial for comfort, control, and proper power and endurance on a bike. Here are some basic bike fit tips:
- Stand-over Height–To find out if a bike’s overall height fits your body, measure your inseam. Next, determine how much clearance you’ll need between your crotch and the top tube of the bike. For a mountain bike, you’ll want three to five inches of clearance. A road bike should offer between one and two inches of clearance, while a commuter bike should have two to four inches. Compare the stand-over height for a given bike to your measurements (inseam + clearance) to determine the right bike height.
- Top Tube Length–You can measure your torso to get a good estimate of proper top tube length. First, make a fist and extend your arm. Measure from the center of your fist to the end of your collarbone (the part that intersects your shoulder). Next, measure your torso by placing a book against your crotch with the spine facing up. Measure from the spine to the bottom of your throat (the spot between your collarbones). Finally, add the two measurements (arm length + torso length), divide the number in half and subtract six inches. This is your approximate top tube length. Compare this number to a bike’s posted top tube length. You can allow for about two inches longer or shorter, as most bikes can be adjusted via stem length/height and saddle fore/aft position to make fine adjustments to the fit.
- Bikes for Women–Proportionally, women tend to have a shorter torso and longer legs than men. Bike makers design women’s bikes that offer a shorter top tube and many comfort/cruiser bikes built for women may also provide more stand-over clearance.
The Right Accessories
When you make a bike purchase, don’t forget these crucial add-ons:
- Helmet (this is a must!)
- Seat pack
- Lock
- Hydration pack, or water bottles and bottle cages
- Spare tubes
- Portable bike pump
- Gloves
