Choosing a Bicycle: What Bike Is Right for You
When it comes to choosing a bicycle, there are endless options. Well, ok, not endless. But there are a lot. Don’t worry, though – we can help.
What kind of riding do you plan to do?
This is the first consideration. Serious road riding or racing? Recreational road riding? Touring? Mountain biking? Commuting? Family rides? This will affect more than anything else the kind of bike you need. And there are more types of bikes available than ever before. Some other things to think about:- Gears or not? Single-speed bikes have become increasingly popular, especially for commuting or urban riding, but also for mountain bikes and cyclo-cross bikes as well. A geared bike gives you more versatility – it can also give you more maintenance issues.
- Comfort or performance? A general rule is that the higher the performance, the lower the comfort. Fortunately, this isn’t always a trade-off. High performance bikes have become much more comfortable in recent years. But some bikes are designed primarily with comfort in mind. They can be great, depending on your needs, but they do tend to be slower and heavier.
Budget
Another important consideration when choosing a bicycle is how much you have – or want – to spend. You can pick up an inexpensive beach cruiser for $100 at a big box store, or you can drop 8 or 10 grand on a top-end racing bike. You don’t need to break the bank, but you don’t want to cheap out, either. Get the best bike you can readily afford. And keep this question in mind:How much are you going to ride?
Just a leisurely ride around the park a few times a month? A daily commute across town? Or hard hours before work every morning and all day on the weekends? Generally, the more you’re going to ride, the more you will want to think about spending. More expensive bikes tend to last longer, are better engineered, and weigh less, making you a more efficient rider.Call us today at 505-899-6336 to speak with an experienced cyclist who can help you choose the perfect bicycle!
