- 1). Determine what you will be using your bicycle for. Take into consideration factors such as the terrain on which you will be riding and your estimated daily mileage. You also should take into consideration how much versatility you need; you may want a bike that you can ride to the store and to work but that also can be ridden on trails or raced on the weekends.
- 2). Familiarize yourself with different types of bicycles. These include: road, mountain, cruiser, hybrid/comfort, BMX, triathlon, cyclocross, touring, recumbent, tandem, tricycle and folding bikes.
- 3). Ask friends or colleagues about the types of bicycles they ride, research the various components that are used on bikes and visit your area bike shop or shops to see the various styles available.
- 4). Determine your budget. Deciding how much you want to spend is a major factor in purchasing a bicycle. A new bicycle can cost $300 to $4,000 depending on the make and components used. If you have a smaller budget, used bicycles are readily available and often require little work to get rolling.
- 5). Determine the size of bicycle you need. The best way to do this is to visit your area bike shop and have a mechanic or salesperson help you decide which size is best. Various formulas are used to determine proper bike size based on your height and the type of bike you plan to purchase.
- 6
A test ride can help you choose the right bicycle for you.riding bicycle image by apeschi from Fotolia.com
Take several bicycles for a test ride. Take note of your body and hand position and see which feels the most comfortable. Keep in mind how long you plan on being on the bicycle on any given day.
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