What Really Matters When Choosing a Bike
All cyclists will know that one of the more exciting elements of the whole lifestyle is being able to buy a new bike. When it comes time to do that, it can be a real thrill. There is a certain joy that comes from being able to buy a new bike which you don’t experience with many other purchases. Still, there is also a lot to consider, and if you are currently in the process of choosing a new bike, then you might want to think about what you should consider. To help you out, we have put together this short list on what really matters when you are choosing a bike. Hopefully this will help you to find the bike that you have always wanted to ride.
Terrain
One of the first things you need to ask yourself is: what kind of terrain am I going to be cycling on? This varies from individual to individual, and in all likelihood one of the main factors in this decision is where you live, and whereabouts you intend to ride. This is important, because you need to know what kind of bike you are going to get. If you have ever tried riding a road bike off-road then you will know what a disaster it can cause, so make sure that you go for something appropriate to what you actually want to do. Take a look at bicycle-riding-for-boomers.com/choosing-a-bicycle.html for more on this.
Reviews
There is a real, lively community for cyclists out there, as there always has been, and these days it is even more so, thanks to the Internet. Nowadays, if you are about to purchase a new bike, you would be mad for not trying to find out what others think of it first. This can be surprisingly useful, as you never really know what you might be able to do or to come across until you try. Take a look at as many reviews as possible, from a wide range of different people, both professional and amateur (they each have their own relevant focus). For a start, look to sites such as http://mountainbikereviewed.com/the-genesis-v2100-review/, as these offer in-depth reviews of all features. But also remember to ask around with your cyclist friends and see what they think.
Price
You need to ensure that you are actually getting something which is likely to be a real investment, as otherwise you never know what you might end up with further down the line. Look to the price as an indicator, and try to stay within whatever budget you have set yourself. Some places now offer a credit payment service, and that might be a good way to get your hands on a bike which you can keep for longer. Either way, you just need to ensure that you are bearing the price in mind before you settle on anything. If you are not happy, you want to be able to take it back, so also look for bikes that have a warranty attached to them. You never know.
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Helpful article. I just want to buy the Best Bike for college. After reading your article I gain enough knowledge to buy a new College bike. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Great advice Darryl,
I would add to folks reading to not feel intimidated into buying more bike than they need. As an ex Bike Shop owner I often found myself in the position of down selling to very inexperienced riders who were ready to dump a whole lot of money into a bike that was more than they were capable of riding and more than they needed to decide if they were going to love the sport. The analogy is, if you decide that you want to buy and ride a horse for the first time in your life, you probably dont need to buy a thoroughbred. You might start with a nice gentle horse that was comfortable and had a good attitude. Then move up if and when you are ready.
Thanks Eric. Great advice for cycling and horse riding. Hope you’re well, my friend.
Great advice, Paul. Renting is a little expensive, but nowhere near the cost of a new bike. I totally agree that it’s a good idea to test drive one before buying. Hope you’re doing well, Paul.
Another buying tool to consider would be renting the bike you’re interested in for a bit to see if it’s really for you. I know that a few local shops here in Austin offer bike rentals so that’d be a great way to test drive the bike for a relatively small sum rather than buying only to find out the bike isn’t what you hoped it’d be.