Bicycle Buying Guide
When shopping for a bicycle it's important to carefully consider your needs so that you end up with a bike that will give you years of enjoyment, instead of years of backaches caused by incorrect style or fit. It's also a good idea to learn about frames and components so you can decide where to spend your money without wasting it. This guide explains the different types of bicycles, and how they are constructed to help you make important decisions.
Bike Styles
Below shows the different styles of bikes and what type of rider is best suited for each style. As far as cost goes, bikes can range in price from $150 to several thousand. Recreational riders will normally choose a bike under $500, and these bikes are more than adequate for spins around town or the occasional bike trip with the family. Before you look at the different bikes, consider: How often are you likely to use your bike? What sort of riding will you be doing -- street, bikeways, dirt or off-road? Will you be using the bike to commute? How much money are you prepared to spend?
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Hybrid / Cross Bike  - For trails or streets.
- Comfortable, upright riding position.
- Combine features of mountain and road bikes.
- Accessories make hybrids versatile.
- Electra, Learsport, Gary Fisher, Gitane, and Trek.
- $300-$2500.
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Road Bike |
Mountain Bike |
BMX Bike - Perfect for tricks and jumps.
- Low seat means less comfort for travelling long distances.
- Good for dirt tracks and trails.
- Felt, Classic, Hoffman, Redline, Holstar, and Trek.
- $130-$1180.
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Fold Up Bike - Folds up for easy storage or transporting.
- Good for taking on holidays.
- Lighter weight and compact.
- Brands include: Yeah, Dahon, Birdy, Trek F400, and Brompton.
- $300-$2500.
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For more detailed information on Road Bikes, Mountain Bikes, or Kid's Bikes, see these specific buying guides.
Things to Consider
When it comes to the construction of your bike, there are various elements to understand. Not all of them will make a huge difference to your final decision if you are just going to get a basic store bike. However, if you want something to last, that will give the most comfortable ride, and provide the utmost in performance for your needs, you need to have a grasp of what's available, useful, and within your price range.
Don't forget that when shopping, you'll need to choose either a male or female bike. The bar on men's bikes are straight across, and the crossbar on women's bikes are pointed down diagonally. Women with particularly long torsos may be more comfortable on a man's bike. Also consider if the bike will be for everyday use, or just for occasional riding. Many bikes nowadays come with an easy pop-off rear wheel (quick-release axle) for mounting the bike on a bike rack or for putting into a car.
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Frame -- Basic consumer bikes have steel or aluminium frames. However, high-end bikes have alloy, titanium, or carbon fibre frames. - Steel is cheaper, heavier, and more rust-prone than aluminium. Mild steel is often used in low-end bikes, and is often weaker than aluminium or better alloys.
- Aluminium frames are lightweight, stiff and are good for mountain bikes, less expensive road bikes or recreational bikes. It is the most commonly offered frame material today.
- Alloy is a mixture of steel and other metals and is typically lighter and stronger than the mild steel mentioned above. It appears most commonly in older or higher-end road bikes.
- Titanium is the next step up, providing lightness, durability and a compliant ride, but it is by no means cheap. It is usually found in road bikes.
- Carbon fibre is the top of the line for both professionals and enthusiasts. It gives a smooth, comfortable ride, is lightweight, and absorbs shock. This is an ideal material for road bikes, if expensive.
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Pedals - Road bikes sometimes come with toe clips or straps (or both) to keep your feet on the pedal, helping you keep control, maintain a steady pace, and stay comfortable.
- Clipless or clip-in pedals require cleated cycling shoes that lock into the pedal. Traditionally used for serious road riders, they're now also commonly used by mountain bikers (read more about it here). Nonetheless, they're still not for beginners.
- Pedal Buying Guide
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Gears, Shifters, and Brakes - The more gears you have, the easier it will be to ride uphill. However, for simply riding around on flat surfaces, a limited number of gears is all that's really needed. Generally, choosing a gear number is a matter of need, preference, and value.
- Consult this gear guide to determine your needs and preferences with your ideal gears.
- Handlebar shifters come in different styles and should be chosen according to personal comfort.
- Usually road bikes use calliper-style brakes and mountain bikes use V-style or disc brakes, which are more expensive, but which work better when wet.
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Seat or Saddle - Seats can be replaced for around $30 or more.
- Comfort is the word.
- Some of the best seats have grooves or holes to reduce pressure.
- Gel seats provide extra padding.
- A line of seats claim to meet the particular needs of the male rider as never before (let's not elaborate).
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Tyre Treads - For road riding, you will want a smoother tread, maybe even Kevlar-beaded tires.
- On mountain bikes and hybrids, go for the knobbiest tyres for mud or loose dirt, but something smoother if you want to ride on packed dirt or roads.
- For more information about tires, see the Tyre Buying Guide.
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Choosing Size and Fit
Getting the correct size is the most important step in choosing a bike. Since everyone has a different build, different bicycles will fit people differently. It's best to take the bike for a short spin and check for comfort, handling, speed and effort. When picking out a bike, make sure you get a proper fit by considering:
- Frame Size -- When straddling the frame, make sure there's a comfortable distance between the frame and your crotch. Allow more room when on a mountain bike.
- Crank Length -- Too short and you won't have the leverage you need to climb hills. Too long, and your needs will hurt.
- Seat Angle and Height -- Your seat is the proper height when you leg is nearly fully extended on the bottom of a pedal stroke. If your seat is too high, your hips will rock from side to side.
- Handlebar Height, Width and Rise -- Your hands should be in a comfortable position, not too far apart, too low (or high) or too close or far from your torso.
Bikes for Fun
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Tandem Bicycles - These tandem bikes look strange, but offer fun for couples, siblings, parents and children, and friends.
- Usually the stronger rider sits in front and handles the steering, and the other hangs behind pedalling at the same speed.
- One person will always do more work; be prepared.
- They aren't very good for rough terrain or hills; they are perfect, however, for flat, smooth surfaces, either on the road or in parks.
- Cost is usually around $1300 or more.
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Electric Bikes - Electric Bikes come in a variety of funky styles from motorcycle-looking to classic bike style.
- What makes these bikes fun is the onboard motor.
- Fuelling and the added weight of the motor can be a drag.
- Makes for an easy commute or long distance ride.
- Some models fold up for added convenience.
- Prices range, but usually $1200 or more.
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