Monday 31 March 2014

How to Choose the Best Bicycle for You

There are several factors to take into consideration before buying a bicycle to make sure you get the right bike that is best suited for you and your needs.  Firstly, you need to decide what you want the bike for as this will determine the type of bike you need to be looking at.  For example, do you want a bike for light leisure use, or are you a more serious cyclists looking for speed?  What sort of surface are you likely to be cycling on – roads/paths or more rugged trails?  The answer to these questions will determine the type of bike you should be looking at.

The different types of bikes to choose from include Road or Racing style bikes, mountain bikes, and comfort or cruiser type bikes (explained below).  Once you have decided on the type of bike that’s best for you, you will need to look at the difference in price ranges which will determine the quality of the build and the bike’s components.  Finally, you will need to make sure that a bike is the right size and fits you comfortably.

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Let’s take a look at these main points to consider in detail to help you decide on how to choose the best bicycle for you:


Different Types of Bicycles


ROAD OR RACING BIKES

Road / Racing bike, built for speed, lightweight, aerodynamics
Road or racing bikes are built with speed, aerodynamics and light-weight in mind.

Road or racing bikes are generally built for cycling longer distances on street surfaces.  The wheels on these types of bikes are normally light-weight, with thinner tyres.

Generally most road and racing bikes have drop bars that allow for an aerodynamic riding position when cycling.  Most of these types of bicycles will feature plenty of gears to help the cyclist tackle both flat and hilly terrain.

Many road or racing bikes have frames built from aluminium and/or carbon fiber to give them their light-weight feel and added speed.


 MOUNTAIN BIKES


Mountain bike, cycle on rugged trails, larger tyres, hill friendly gears, suspension fork, rear suspension systemMountain bikes are designed for cycling more rugged trails, with hill-friendly gears and larger tyres.

Mountain bikes are extremely popular with all types of cyclists and can be ridden both on and off pavements.

Most mountain bikes usually feature a suspension fork, with some also featuring a rear suspension system as well.


 COMFORT OR CRUISER BIKES


Comfort or Cruiser type bike, cycle designed for leisure, light bike trails paths, built for comfort and ease of useComfort and cruiser bikes are designed for leisure use and for cycling more on light bike trails/paths.  They are more suited to cyclists who aren’t in any hurry and just want a relaxing day enjoying the scenery.

These types of bicycles are generally built for comfort and ease of use.  They typically offer a relaxed riding position with padded seats and limited gears.


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 Different Price Ranges of Bicycles


ENTRY LEVEL PRICES OF BIKES

Low-end mountain bikes and road bikes, together with a good range of comfort and cruiser bikes are typically found at entry-level prices.  The majority of bicycles in this entry-level price category are typically made with steel frames and components.  These entry-level bikes are generally designed to give you several years of frequent use.


MID-RANGE PRICES OF BIKES

Generally bikes in the mid-range price category feature a lighter aluminium frame together with mid-range components.  Bicycles in this category are normally lightweight and good quality, offering the user good performance.  Types of bikes that fall into this category include: commuter bikes, touring bikes, and mid-range mountain bikes (with a good quality front suspension system).


HIGH-END PRICES OF BIKES

Bikes in the high-end price category are typically made from high performance components and are generally more lightweight too.  Road bikes in the high-end price category typically feature frames made from carbon fibre or titanium.  These types of road bikes also typically feature ultra-lightweight components.  Price tags can be in their thousands.  Mountain bikes that come under the high-end price category typically feature advanced front and rear suspension systems and advanced components.  These types of mountain bikes are suitable for heavy rugged trail action.  Bicycles in this high-end price category are more suited to the serious racers and bike enthusiasts.


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How to Choose the Right Sized Bike


OVERALL HEIGHT

To optimise your cycling experience, you need to make sure that the overall height of the bicycle is right for your size.  First, measure your inseam and then work out how much clearance you require between the top tube of the bicycle and your crotch.  Ideally you should have the following clearance:

·         1” of clearance for a road bike
·         2-4” of clearance for a commuter bike
·         3-5” of clearance for a mountain bike

To ascertain if a bike is the right height, compare the stand-over height of a bike with your inseam and clearance measurements.


TOP TUBE LENGTH

To estimate your appropriate top tube length, you will need to measure your torso as follows:

·         Extend your arm and make a fist.
·         Measure from the end of your collarbone to the centre of your fist.
·         Measure from your crotch to the area in-between your collarbones (bottom of your throat).
·         Now add the two measurements together, divide this number in half and subtract 6”.
·         You now have your approx. Top tube length.
·         Compare this number you have arrived at with the number a bike advertises as its top tube length.
·         You can allow around 2” shorter or longer when comparing top tube length, as the majority of bikes can be adjusted (both saddle and stem) for a more comfortable fit.

Bear in mind, that for women, many bike designs offer more stand-over clearance and/or shorter top tube, as a woman’s proportions are typically different to men’s, with women generally having longer legs but shorter torsos.


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Additional Accessories

There are several additional accessories you should consider when buying a bicycle.  Essential accessories include:

·         Helmet
·         Spare tubes
·         Bike pump
·         Bicycle lock
·         Bicycle light
·         Seat pack
·         Water bottle
·         Gloves


Cycle helmet, essential accessory to buying a bike, buy at discounted low priceBicycle lock, essential accessory to buying a bike, buy at discounted low priceBicycle Pump, essential accessory to buying a bike, buy at discounted low price

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N.B. It's advisable to consult your doctor or health care professional before undertaking any new exercise regime.

See also Benefits of Cycling

Prices/discounted indicated are correct at the time this article was written/published.  E&OE.


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