Factors to Consider when Choosing a Bicycle
Bicycles come in various sizes and shapes and have different purposes. If you are a beginner, choosing your first bicycle might be a daunting task since there are some factors to consider before determining the right one for your particular needs.
Careful considerations of such factors enable you to buy a bicycle that serves your purpose, suits your budget, and adds convenience to your life. Choosing the right bike requires some prerequisite knowledge and understanding about bicycles.
Some websites like bikelvr.com aim to educate bike enthusiasts and beginners alike by providing information on various topics related to bicycles.
These are the factors you should take into account before choosing a bicycle.
- The right size
Bikes come in various sizes; there are bikes for toddlers, and there are ones for adults. Finding the right size is essential to have a good experience. If you choose a bike that does not fit you well, it will never be a pleasant ride as you will always feel uncomfortable while riding.
Moreover, riding an uncomfortable bike for an extended time may result in neck pain, backache, and more. On the other hand, the right-size bike can be very ergonomic, easy-to-ride, and comfortable to ride for longer distances.
You must consider the following components of a bike to determine the right-size bike for yourself.
- Frame size
- Saddle
- Pedal position
- Handlebar height
There are many bicycle size charts online and even some tools to help you find the right-size bicycle for you. Such tools and charts will give you an approximate frame size suitable for your height.
- Type of bike
You have many options to choose from when it comes to the type of bicycle. Now, with electric bikes being in the mix, the list has expanded quite a lot. Selecting the correct type of bicycle is a matter of your preference, expected performance, and purpose. There are many options to consider, from daily commuters to electric commuters or mountain bikes to handle the dirt.
Keep in mind that there are some limitations to each type of bike, as most of them will not fulfill multiple purposes. Here are some common types of bicycles and their purposes.
- Road bikes
These bikes are lightweight and aerodynamic, making them very comfortable for touring and riding for fitness. They are usually not the best bicycle type for beginners since they have an uncomfortable stance and riding position.
- Mountain Bikes
Mountain bikes or more commonly known as MTBs, are meant for rough riding on the beaten paths. MTBs are rugged as they are built for offroading.
- Hybrid Bikes
As the name suggests, these types of bicycles are a hybrid of road and mountain bikes. Hybrid bikes combine the ruggedness of mountain bikes and the lightweight functionality of road bikes. They are an excellent choice for daily commuting and can even tackle limited high-speeds and moderately rough terrain.
- Frame material
The frame of bicycles is generally made from a variety of materials. The choice of material for a bike largely depends on the type of bicycle and even the price. Each material has its pros and cons.
Most commonly, road bikes and daily commuters are made with aluminum. It is a durable and inexpensive bicycle frame material. However, high spec, professional bicycles are constructed with carbon fiber. Such bicycles are expensive but lightweight, aerodynamic, and borderline indestructible.
Some economical bikes are still made from old-school steel. These bicycles are heavy, rigid, and prone to corrosion. They are not a good choice for riding on challenging terrains.
The kind of frame material you want will dictate the price of your bicycle. A commuter bike with an aluminum frame will cost you less than a commuter made partly with carbon fiber.
- Bike gearing system
Beginners often wonder if they even need gears in a bicycle. The simple answer is that it depends on where you will be riding the bicycle. If you are going to ride on uneven and rough terrains with an incline, then you will need as many gears as you can have. Whereas, if you are riding only on flat city roads, even a single-geared bicycle will serve you well.
Shedding some gears helps reduce the weight, which enhances the handling and agility of the bicycle. A perfect sweet spot for daily commuters is the twenty-one gear configuration, and it is the most common configuration among hybrid bikes.
Bikes can have as many as forty-eight gears. So, assess where you will be riding your bike the most and pick the one that matches your needs.
Before buying a bicycle, consider these factors to help you make a better decision.
