Choosing The Right Bike For Your Riding Needs
by Joey Davis
Buying a new bike can be quite a tough decision with so many options out there to choose from. Thankfully, it's not like buying a new house or a new car, but it definitely requires more thought that many people think. If you're looking for a new bike, this guide will help you figure out the best bike for your needs.
The first step in finding the right bike is to determine what type of bike you're looking for. There are four different types of bikes that are the most common options; road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid bikes and cruisers. Each one is suited for different styles of riding.
Road bikes are best on smooth, paved streets. They're the fastest bikes available as well. The tires are skinny and the frames are light in weight. If you are looking for a long distance ride, this type of bike is the best option. A road bike will not do well on any sort of rough surfaces, trails or bumpy roads as its frame and tires aren't made for this type of ride.
Most buyers choose to go with mountain bikes, at least over the last 20 years. Mountain bikes have thicker and heavier frames, with wider tires to hold up against the rough adventures they may face. The thick frame is also accompanied by extremely knobby treads to keep the bike intact. The down side of mountain bikes is they're not as fast, but they do happen to be more comfortable than road bikes. For riders with bad backs, this is a great option as the seats are more upright.
If you're thinking you would like to find something in between a mountain bike and road bike, there's the option of a hybrid bike. Hybrids are great for paved roads as well, but can handle a few bumps in the road. The tires are still skinny and smooth for speed, but they're built with the comfort of a mountain bike. The suggested use for a hybrid bike is riding through a city with a durable bike.
The last traditional option to choose from is a cruiser. These typically have wide tires with a wide seat. As its name suggests, they're great for casually cruising around. Many of them only come with just one gear! They're known to be the most comfortable option as they have a wide seat and upright bars.
It's quite common that a salesman pushes for buyers to purchase a mountain bike, since they're typically cheaper than road bikes. Mountain bikes do have some great features, but if you don't plan on riding on rough terrain, then you'll end up with features that you'll never get any use out of.
A quality bike can last for many years, so spending on the higher-end option is a smart choice. Many of the lower-end bikes will end up costing you money for repairs over the years - you get what you pay for! The components of a cheaper bike will definitely cause problems quicker than you may think. So hopefully this has helped you in your search for a new bike!
Check out more of this writer's writing on topics like the Schwinn Meridian and burley bike trailer.
Tags: Biking, education, environment, fitness, health, hobbies, leisure, outdoors, recreation, Sports, travel



Comments
Feel free to leave a comment...
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!