Who would have thought that choosing the right bike based on your needs would be such a challenge? Many of us either don’t think much when buying a bike or we’re still riding the one we got ages ago.
When the time finally comes for you to pick out the bike for yourself and the seller asks you what kind of bike do you need – you’ll probably be confused by the question. What kind of bike do I need? The kind that has two wheels and gets me from one place to another, right? Well, essentially but there is so much more to getting the new bike.
Picking the right bike isn’t all that easy, it takes some research. Thankfully, we’re here to tell you all you need to know about choosing the right bike that will fit your needs.
Types of bikes
Photo by Alexander Dummer from Pexels
Let’s start from the beginning – learning all the types of bikes out there. That’s right – there are many different kinds of bikes that you can choose from. Different types of bikes come with different capabilities and that’s exactly why we have so many different types of bikes from road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids, and cruiser bikes.
1. Road bikes
Road bikes are bikes designed for pavement use and other tarmac surfaces. These types of bikes are designed to be light and they have skinny tires and drop handlebars. They are not meant to carry heavy loads so they are not really used on paved trails or for everyday commuting.
Subcategories of road bikes
When it comes to subcategories of road bikes, here we have touring bikes, cyclocross bikes, racing bikes, endurance, and adventure bikes.
Touring bikes are a special subtype of road bikes. They are meant to be ridden on pavement and are a bit heavier than road bikes. They can be used for long-distance riding as their frame is designed so that the rider is in an upright position.
In addition, they have cargo racks and fenders, as well as drop handlebars which makes them suitable for heavier loads and long-distance riding.
Cyclocross bikes are another type of road bike designed for mixed surfaces – pavement, gravel, grass, and so on. When compared to a regular road bike, they have wider tires and different types of breaks, everything else is exactly like other road bikes.
Racing bikes are meant for speed and as such are lightweight. Everything else is pretty much the same as the regular road bikes. Endurance bikes have wider tires and raised handlebars which makes them more comfortable for riding.
Adventure bikes are the newest type of road bikes and they are also the most versatile subtype of road bikes. This is because they are suitable for all types of roads, for long-distance riding, commuting, and even light touring.
2. Mountain bikes
These types of bikes are meant for off-road riding. Design-wise these bikes have some sort of shock absorbers or suspension, they have flat or upright handlebars and pretty wide tires. They are usually used for touring, commuting but they are not as lightweight as you’d expect a touring and commuting bike to be.
A subtype of a mountain bike is known as a dirt bike or dirt jump mountain bike. Alldirt bikes look similar to mountain bikes but only have one gear and no front brake. Additionally, dirt bikes are heavy and have a low seat-post which makes them ideal for aerial stunts and jumps.
3. Hybrid bikes
To get the best of both road and mountain bikes, hybrids were designed. These types of bikes are ideal for commuting around town as they are pretty comfortable. They are designed to be ridden on paved or unpaved surfaces but are not suitable for off-road trails. Their tires are medium width, have upright handlebars, and fairly large, comfortable seats.
4. Cruiser bikes
Cruiser bikes are ideal for casual short-distance riding, commuting around the town, and running errands. In design, they are similar to hybrid bikes as they have wide tires and handlebars that allow you to sit in a more upright position. They either have one or three speeds and a coaster brake.
Bike sizes
Just like shoes, bikes, too, come in sizes. It’s not uncommon for people to get a wrong size bike and then struggle to get used to it. On top of that, getting the wrong size bike can be a safety hazard and it can cause all kinds of health problems from back pain to other more serious injuries. To avoid these kinds of problems you should know how to choose the right bike size for you.
When sitting on the bike, your legs need to be extended with a slight bend in the knees. Then you need to adjust the seat of your bike. Mostly, bike seats need to be parallel to the ground to avoid pain in the shoulders, neck, knees, and so on.
Some bikes have adjustable handlebars, but most don’t. If the bike you like doesn’t have adjustable handlebars you’ll need to position the handlebars at the same height as your seat or slightly higher than the seat. Usually, the position of fixed handlebars will depend on the type of bike you go for.
Frame sizes will vary depending on the type of bike as well. If you aren’t sure which bike will fit you best, you need to sit on it and take it for a ride. If sitting on the bike is comfortable and riding it is easy then the bike is the right size for you.
Where will you ride the bike
Before you ever settle for a certain bike, you’ll need to consider where are you going to ride it and what are you going to use it for.
If you need a bike for a daily commute, riding around town and, short distances to run errands then you should probably go for a city bike. If, on the other hand, you need a bike for exercising or long-distance riding on paved surfaces, think about getting some sort of road bike.
Mountain bikes are meant for off-road trails and mountainous terrain, so if that’s something you plan to do, a mountain bike is a right choice for you. For casual rides with the fam, you should look into cruiser bikes.
There are many types of bikes with a wide range of capabilities, you just need to determine what do you need the bike for, how often and how far you’ll ride it, and what type of surfaces will you stay on.
Bike prices
With a wide range of bikes comes a wide range of prices. Pricing will depend on the type of bike you’re looking for, the quality of the bike, and so on.
Cheaper bikes are usually made of fewer quality materials, they are poorly assembled and will last nowhere near what you’d expect a bike to last.
As the bike prices rise so do the quality of them. Higher quality bikes will most certainly be expensive, but they will pay off in the long run.
Of course, we can talk about price without mentioning all the necessary accessories that come with a bike. Things like helmets, a lock, lights, bottle cage and bottle and so on, all these accessories add to the price of a bike.
On the surface, it may seem like choosing the right bike is simple but in reality, it takes a lot of research. You need to know a lot before you head out to a bike shop and tell a seller that you need a bike. Going to a bike shop requires a lot of preparation and hopefully, now you know how to choose the right bike for your needs.
