How to Choose a Bicycle

By Pat J Williams

Spring is in the air and the sun is setting a little bit later every day. These are perfect afternoons for going for a bike ride. If you are looking to cruise your neighborhood, the boardwalk or some light biking trails you should consider getting a comfort bike. But what other considerations should you make when deciding which bike to purchase?

One thing to consider is your budget. Mountain bikes have been known to go as high as a few thousand dollars. But a casual cyclist should never pay that much for a bicycle. A beginner needs something that will last as well as well built so you can get some performance out of it. You should be able to find a bike in the 250 to 500 dollar range.

I also need to consider what the bike is for. Would I only use it during those sunny days? Or also for the rainy days as well. Do I intend to go over large bumps and dirt, unpaved trails or maybe put saddle bags, basket or a baby seat on it? What I will do with the bike definitely makes it another major consideration that can affect my budget.

So in deciding what the bike is for, in deciding if I would need a standard bike, a BMX bike, a road bike, a mountain bike, a tandem bike, a recumbent bike or any other type of bike that is out in the market. I think I need to go to a local bike shop for this. A local bike shop would be much better than buying it on big box store.

A local bike shop will have someone on staff that is able to answer your questions and help you narrow your focus when looking at bicycles. You will need to remember, however, that they are salesman and usually bike enthusiasts. They will try to sell you on the latest gadgets and upscale components. Its not that they are getting greedy, they just truly believe in how great these components are. As a beginner you do not need to go anywhere near these components. Don't get taken in or you will blow your whole budget very quickly.

The best way to figure out if a bike is right is to take it for a test drive. A friend having a model you would consider buying is the ideal situation but some stores may let you take it for a quick run. If a friend has a bike try to take it on terrain you will be riding on a lot and get a feel for the performance and comfort of the bike.

Buying a bike may seem a little overwhelming but if I take my time, do some research and stay within my budget it will be an excellent experience. There are many different choices out there for picking the right bike so taking my time and being a little discerning will pay tremendous dividends. I look forward to riding a quality bike and having a good time exercising in the sun this summer. See you on the trails.

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