Bicycle Buying Resources

When deciding on the best type of bike, these questions will help:

  • Who do you ride with?
  • What type of bicycle do they ride?
  • Where do you plan to ride your bicycle?
  • What have you ridden in the past that you liked?
  • What have you ridden before that you disliked?
  • How much money are you comfortable spending?
  • Do you tend to buy the highest-tech cutting-edge products or do you go for good value?

    • If you’re buying a bike to ride with a group of friends buy a similar bike to what they ride.

    Unless you’re super fit, you won’t be able to keep up with road bikes riding a mountain bike or cruiser. And a comfort bike can’t handle trail riding like a mountain bike.

    If you enjoyed a 3-speed as a child, you may find this a fun bike again. If you disliked a road bike you bought a few years ago — a mountain bike may be better.

    As you learn about the different bicycles available and think about where and how you’ll ride, you’ll start getting a clear picture of the best bike for you.

    Getting To Know The Basic Types Of Bikes Available

    Road bikes are fast and easy to pedal on pavement. They’re not as well suited for operating off road. Some people find the low riding position of the racing (“dropped”) handlebars difficult to maintain, comfortably, for a long time. But, there are new road bikes today specially designed to get the dropped handlebars significantly higher so you don’t have to bend over so far.

    Cyclocross Bikes Cyclo-cross bicycles roughly resemble road racing bicycles. The major differences between the two are that cyclo-cross frames have wider clearances, knobby tires, cantilever brakes, and lower gears. A rear brake cable routed on the upper right side of the top tube allows the rider to carry the bike on the right shoulder through portage sections. As a high-end bicycle purpose-built for a specific sport competition, they also differ from ordinary cross bikes, which are general-purpose utility bikes fitted with slightly wider 700C tires for use on unpaved paths or trails.

    Mountain bikes are slower on pavement. But they have an upright riding position with flat handlebars and easily accessed controls, they can travel easily on a wide variety of surfaces, they have fat, flat-resistant tires, low gearing for easy climbing, linear-pull or disc brakes for excellent braking in all conditions and usually either front or front and rear suspension for incredible comfort and control. Plus, mountain bikes are very durable and reliable.

    Hybrids are almost as fast and easy to pedal as road bikes, while being almost as comfortable and versatile as mountain bikes. They’re great for commuting, errands, getting in shape and all-around fun.

    Comfort bikes are just that — comfortable. They are less efficient, but sitting on one is super comfortable thanks to an upright riding position, wide handlebars, suspension, easy gearing and a plush seat. Plus, they typically have easily accessed controls and fat flat-resistant tires.

    Cruisers (sometimes called “beach cruisers”) are fun to look at and, when ridden at a relaxed pace, are ideal for admiring the scenery, and exploring the neighborhood or shore.

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