How can you go cycling if you don’t have a Bicycle!? Duh!

We all face the issue of “which bike should I get!?”. Trust me, the struggle is real!! But, if you are about to start this journey and, don’t know where to begin when choosing a bike with so many bicycle options on the market, this post is for you.

Here are some type of bikes to help grow your indecision:

Road Bikes:

Mountain Bikes

Cruiser Bikes ( Ideal for a beach ride or picnics)

BMX Bikes (Good for tricks)

Folding Bikes ( For those who need to travel with a bike or commuters that need to take the bike on a bus, train or ship)

All terrain Bikes

Sand/Snow Bikes

These were just a few examples, as there are many more according your taste and needs.

To help you choose between so many, you need to take some serious notes.

First of all (and before asking anybody else), ask yourself few simple questions like:

1. Why do you want a bike?

Is it a need? Or you just want a bike like the one your friend has? There is a lot going on between “need” or “want”and you know it!

2. How much are you willing to spend on a bike?

Depending on what you “need”‘or “want”, and if you didn’t know this, news flash!!!…Bicycles can be very, VERY expensive!! So choose wisely! It all depends on your needs, taste and budget. Really!

3. What landscape do you like the most?

To help you answer this question think of the things you enjoy the most, for example: a day at the beach, exploring the forest, hills or the view of the mountains, rivers, maybe the city life, etc. Why asking yourself this questions is of any importance? Well, the answer will give you a hint of the type of bicycle you will enjoy the most.

For example, if you like mountains, nature, rivers, and live in an area were you enjoy all of this, and, you don’t mind gravel, or unpaved roads, then, your option could be a mountain bike.

In the other hand, if you like the city, rolling downtown and like more the idea of a paved road better, your option could be a road, folding or city bike.

If you live on winter wonderland and do not mind getting on a bike to workout, you need to consider a bike with some wide wheels like the “sand bike” which off course is for sand, but, works great in snow as well.

Now, if you’re more adventurous and like a little bit of everything, like exploring the beach, the city, and do not mind the idea of doing any kind of trail like gravel, dirt, mud, grime, or gravel, at any moment, your best choice will be an all terrain kind of bike!

Now you see the importance of asking yourself before asking anybody else is that you are the one who will be using it!!

4. How are you going to use your bicycle?

What I mean by asking this question is, that you need to know if you are planning on using your bike to go to work, take it on a bus or train; maybe just for a once in a while trip to the beach or a picnic. Probably you plan to use it as much as posible for fitness, or for instance, to escape the ordinary on a regular basis. So this will also help you narrow down your options on what type of bike you are looking for.

5. Are you going to be on a team or most likely will ride “solo” and will consider riding in any competitions in the future!?

This will help you decide the things you want in your bike, like heavy or light frame material, pedal efficiency, bike aerodynamics, brake levers and gear shifters, etc. Remember that you want a bike that performs according to your needs.

6. Are you traveling with your bike anywhere?

It is important to remember that you might want to take your bike with you, probably in your car, so consider the space in your trunk (if you have any). Consider if you are going to be able to take you whole bike inside the trunk or passenger seat ( if it fits), every time you go for a ride away from home. Also, think about learning to take off a wheel or two (if possible), to make it fit, or you should also think of a bike rack to attach to your car to make it a little “easier”.

There are many other questions you could think of before making any investment. The important this is to make sure you know what you want, and what you need, so, the sales person can help you find the ideal bicycle for you.

It is important that you test drive 2 or 3 bicycles and check the frame and height size before making any purchase.

Go with the bike that feels right and enjoy your new bike!