Bicycles are freedom. They can provide exercise, transportation, and meditation all at once. But first, you’ll need to actually get a bike, and there are so. many. Choices. Now is a great time to buy a new bike as most supply chain shortages seen from 2020 to 2022 have subsided.
Before you head to the bike shop to pick up your new favorite mode of transportation, it’s helpful to know and understand the landscape of bikes, what you need, and what will make the bike buying process easier.
Where Will You Ride?
When it comes to discovering you want to purchase a bike, there are some valid questions to ask yourself. “What type of riding do I aspire to do?” or “Where do I want to be in the future with my bike?” and “What problem am I looking to solve with this new bike?” and lastly, “What kind of road will I take my bike on to get there?”
If you’ll stay on pavement and ride primarily for exercise, a road bike or fitness bike is a good choice. A comfort or cruiser bike is better for short, casual rides with family. If you’ll bike mostly for commuting, a city bike might be best; think about electric pedal-assist models as well.
If you’ll stay on pavement and ride primarily for exercise, a road bike or fitness bike is a good choice. A comfort or cruiser bike is better for short, casual rides with family. If you’ll bike mostly for commuting, a city bike might be best; think about electric pedal-assist models as well.
If you want a bike for commuting and fitness, and think you might ride on both pavement and natural-surface trails, a versatile gravel bike is probably the right fit. If you’ll ride entirely off-road, a sturdy mountain bike is the best choice.
Sometimes, more than one category of bike might be appropriate. Once you’ve narrowed things down to a couple of styles, you can zero in on specific candidates.
The Top-Rated Options for Every Type of Bike
Best Road Bikes
Go Fast, and Far
Speedy bikes for racing or all-day adventures with friends.
Best Mountain Bikes
Ride Anywhere
Rip down any singletrack, gravel road, or dirt path.
Best E-Bikes
Get a Boost
Pedal-assist options so you can ride farther with less sweat.
Best Fitness Bikes
Workout Machines
Have more fun while improving your fitness and cardio.
Best City Bikes
Own the Street
Fast, easy-to-ride options for cruising across town.
Consider Your Budget
You don’t want to break the bank or get a lame bike, striking the right balance is never easy. The ideal “quality bike” is the intersection amongst many factors and will grow/change over time. A “quality bike” will provide you with a new sense of experience and taste for what is possible, this moment will set previous expectations in context.
A great analogy is Coffee. You’re local fast food joints will convey they have “quality” coffee, while the roaster down the street who is picking specific aromatics and blends that lend themselves to a “quality” experience. Quality is a subjective and personal level of attribution based on previous experiences.
Many department-store bikes you see for less are cheaply made, poorly assembled, and will be 100 percent un-fun to ride. (This is not to say you won't get your money’s worth, it is just the objective reality of what you spend is what you get.) But a good bike or “quality” bike will last you longer, which means you’ll get far more out of it. Here is a general figure to help aid your understanding of the gamut one could spend.
Bike Anatomy 101
- Frame: The heart of the bike. The structure / materials to make a bike can vary from Metal (aluminum most often, steel sometimes, titanium rarely) or Carbon (on more expensive models) to name a few. Comes in different sizes to fit riders of different heights.
- Wheels: Made up of a rubber tire, the rim, and the hub, which connects to the rim via spokes. Most bikes come with either aluminum or carbon rims.
- Suspension: Front or rear shocks help smooth out bumps, increase traction, and improve control. For mountain biking (generally), the rougher the trail, the more suspension travel (the amount the wheel moves) you need. But suspension is also found on other types of bikes, usually to help provide additional comfort for the ride. Pricier suspension systems are lighter weight and more adjustable.
- Drivetrain: Can come in a variety of formats, mechanical and electronic, internal gears or planetary hubs. Regardless of what comes with your bike this will move your bike forward. Gears can range depending on how many speeds or cogs it has in total. For example, near your feet you can have 1 chainring or 3, sometimes 2 but never more than 3. In the back of the bike, the range of your cassette can vary, there could be 1 gear, 3 all the way to 12 or 13 in some cases. Most bikes will use a traditional chain, but some city bikes can feature a belt drive.
- Brakes: There are three types (mainly). Coaster hub brakes are found mostly on beach cruisers. Rim brakes are found on many models, from inexpensive city bikes to high-end road racers. Disc brakes are cable-activated or hydraulic. They’re heavier but stop better, with less force, in all conditions.
- Contact points: The seat (also called the saddle), handlebar (flat, curved, or drop) and stem (what connects your handlebars to the fork), and pedals (flat, toe-clips, or clipless).
- E-Bikes: Typically much heavier and built more robots, these are defined by the opportunity to let electricity and a motor do all the work. Occasionally, you will find a motor beneath the crank and or with a battery built into the downtube. It is also common to see the rear wheel house all of the motorized parts as well.
Where to Buy
There are multiple places where you can buy quality bikes these days. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of each:
Dealer-direct (online)
- Pros: Access to brand’s full line; better selection on prior-model year sales, dealer exclusives on new launched products
- Cons: No test ride; no service package
Online retailer
- Pros: Often the most aggressive pricing for new bikes; prior-year sales
- Cons: No test ride; returns are a hassle; must assemble yourself
Local Shop / Sporting Good Stores
- Pros: Brand-authorized; expert help; service plans and discounts, often independently owned, foster local community.
- Cons: Often the most expensive; limited selection
eBay/Craigslist
- Pros: Cheapest deals available; The Pro’s Closet is a excellent trust resource without the hassle or scamminess can buy new or used
- Cons: Zero warranty; prone to scams; must hunt for right model/size
How to Shop
Research
Once you’ve narrowed down your “ideal” bike to two or three styles, it’s time to do some online research. Start with manufacturers' websites to understand sizing and spec. (Read Similar Stories). Compare features like frame material, gearing, and brakes on different brands in your price range. Check the sizing, which varies from brand to brand, and use the size finder to determine what works for you (If the Mfg doesnt have a size finder, consult youre local bike shop or look at the frame geometry). And yeah, think about color and graphics.
Use the manufacturer’s dealer finder to find a shop in your area that carries the brand. Call ahead and ask if they have the model you want (or something close to it) in the right size. Ask whether you need to schedule a test ride. You’ll want to test the bike in conditions as close as possible to what you’ll ride in real life. Scout the area around the shop for any bike paths where you can safely sort things out, and find a good hill to test the gearing range and brakes. Demo days and events are a good way to try bikes from several manufacturers on the appropriate terrain.
How to Test Ride
Dress the part: Wear whatever you plan to wear when riding. Bring your ID and a credit card even if you don’t plan to buy that day, as you’ll likely need to leave them with the shop during the test. Ask shop staff to set up the bike for you—adjusting the seat, adjusting your tire pressure, setting the suspension will give you the proper fit. If you’re unfamiliar with how any parts work, ask for a demonstration.
A good test ride takes around 15 to 20 minutes. Get comfortable in the parking lot first, and ask the shop to readjust anything that doesn’t feel right. Then, get out and ride! If you are unfamiliar with the area ask the shop staff to recommend a route, do you best to avoid busy streets so you can pay attention to the bike, its details and features.
Shift through all the gears, see how the bike handles around corners. Does the steering feel quick and responsive? Slow and stable? (There’s no wrong answer, just what feels best to you.) Are the gears low enough to let you climb steep hills at a comfortable pace? Do the brakes stop you quickly and safely? Is the bike comfortable to sit on?
Most shops aren’t located near trail and aren’t keen on letting riders get test bikes dirty. So if you’re looking for a mountain or gravel bike, demo events are a great bet. Ask the shop if one is scheduled, and check the manufacturer’s website for a calendar of demo tours. Finally, ask if the shop has the model you want in its rental fleet. Many shops will credit the price of one rental toward purchase.
Signs of a Good Bike Shop
Good bike shops have employees who are friendly and knowledgeable, but will work at your speed. They’ll show you how different parts work. They’ll allow test rides and take the time to properly set up the bike. And they’ll discuss maintenance, any service plan packages they offer, and what accessories you should think about.
If an employee is condescending or dismissive, find another employee to help you. If it happens again, find another shop.
Pressure sales tactics are rare, but if they try to sell you something that’s the wrong size or clearly not right for you, leave if they won’t listen to your concerns. Most shops are great, but if something feels out of place don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself.
Don’t forget to ask around, your friends are there for a reason and will help point you in the right direction of someone who knows or has had good experiences buying the bike you want.
