Choose the Right Bicycle: A Beginner’s Buying Guide

So, you’ve decided to purchase your first bike—congratulations! Now for the hard part: you have to determine the best bike for your purposes. Bike sales and bike rental can help you with this process in Naples, FL, but you need to know what to consider. Here are five factors to weigh as you choose your new bike:

• Bike type: You have many bike type options, including road, hybrid, electric, mountain and touring bikes. If you plan on staying on paved roads and bike paths, road, hybrid and electric bikes will serve you well. But if you seek an escape into nature, gravel, touring and mountain bikes are available. Electric bikes give you extra help when you need it, and you can find them in the road, hybrid or mountain models. Determine where you wish to ride a bike, and narrow down your type from there.
• Gearing: Lower gears are easier to pedal, but you do not move as quickly. High gears work for flat surfaces and speed. Most bikes have the same gearing, although high-performance bikes offer more gears and gear precision. That may be too much for your first bike, so simple gearing allows you to travel nicely without giving you too many challenges at once.
• Fit: The wrong bike fit causes back and neck pain, and you are more likely to fall while mounting and dismounting. Your bike needs to adjust to your height, including frame size, saddle type, pedal position and handlebar type. A good bike shop will take measurements and make sure your bike fits you. Wheel size is also part of fit—650C or lower works best with children and adults under 5’4”. But if you seek a performance bike, you want larger wheels, which means more frame and handlebar adjustment to get the right fit. Be prepared to investigate many combinations of bike designs to find the one that fits you best.
• Materials: You want your bike to last, so you likely seek the best materials. Most bicycles are made from aluminum, which is cost-effective, durable and light. Carbon fiber bikes are robust, but they are expensive. Titanium is another costly but durable option. In most cases, aluminum bikes are more than adequate unless you plan for heavy off-roading.
• Braking: Rim brakes squeeze the wheel when you apply pressure to them and are the norm for most bikes, but disc brakes offer betters stopping power. If you want a cost-effective option, rim brakes remain adequate and offer the advantage of making it easier for a new bike owner to check brake wear. But mechanical and hydraulic disc brakes stop better with less effort on your part. Consider test riding both types of brakes to see which you can handle better.

Big Momma’s Bicycles in Naples, FL offers all the bicycle services you need. We offer a wide assortment in our bike sales department, or you can invest in a bike rental and try out different types of bicycles before you buy. It’s all up to you! Call or visit today to learn more.

Categorised in: Bicycles