What things to keep in mind or should I know getting/buying a bicycle?

Question

I'm thinking of getting a bicycle, gas price is just so high and it hurts going to the gas station. My work is just 7-8 miles from where I live and thought that it's better for me to bike to work and it also benefits me losing some weight exercising going to work at night then coming back home morning. Please give me some information I need to know getting/buying a bicycle. Brand, quality, shifting, chair, etc., etc. Thank you very much.

Answer 1

Write down all your specific needs and priorities.  Do you go green?....then get a folding bike.   Do you like to travel far?  Then get a bike with tires designed for distance and surfaces.  Do you want to be healthy?  Then get a regular bike designed for bike paths, etc.  Do you need a bike more than a car?  Then a folding bike is best.  Get a Dahon Speed D7.  That's the bike I prefer.  Lots of people like this bike

Answer 2

Only good advice I can give you is to not cheap out on buying the bike itself. Go to bike shop, not a department store like walmart for a bike... BIke shops give good advice and will help you get a bike suitable for you, and give far superior customer service in terms of getting your bike fixed and everything else.

Answer 3

When it comes to bicycles---you get what you pay for.

Brand matters little. Most bike manufacturers make their own frames, and then install a components groupo. Take a Trek bike for example: It will say Trek on the Frame, but the shifters, derailuers, brakes, cranks and some of the bearing assemblies will either say Shimano or Sram on them. Even the wheels will be made by some other company than Trek.

The more expensive the bike is, the better the frame materials are, and the higher quality the components groupo is. You need to decide how much you are willing to spend. You could pay anywhere from $300 dollars for an entry level bike to $3,000 dollars for something really good. You could pay even more than that if you want the very best.

If you are new to cycling and plan on using it to just get to and from work, then you should either get a mountain bike or a hybrid. The frame geometry will be more comfortable for you---allowing you to sit more upright and relaxed than the road bikes will. Mountain bike tires are also more forgiving than road bike tires are, and you'll have a lot less flats. The bigger tires and the lower air pressure provide some additional comfort as well. Another thing to consider in choosing a mountain bike or a hybrid is that many of them have a suspension fork. These really smooth out the bumps!

Oh! In case you didn't know, a hybrid is a cross between a mountain bike and a road bike.

One of the most important things in choosing any bike is the fit. Because bike riders come in different sizes, so do bike frames. Your body needs to be in the right position for riding, and there are certain things that need to be considered when buying a bike---like stand over height and cockpit length. Your local bike shop understands the importance of this as well, and they work hard to make sure their customers end up with a bike that fits them correctly.

I noticed that some here are saying to buy a Dahon folding bike---don't do it. They're great for old people with motorhomes, and spontaneous jaunts from the trunk of your car, but they're not something you want to commute with every day. You will be most unhappy. They're also not any "greener" than any other bike... I don't even know how someone could arrive at that conclusion.

Answer 4

Gyro helmet.  They are necessary.  Mainly getting called in the movie theatre with news from the ambulance that my dad fell over a fallen tree and broke his neck.. he's fine though, just can't turn his head as much.

Go for road bikes. They're lighter, and get ones with gearshifts.

Answer 5

read up on this.  it'll help you a lot.

http://www.abc-of-mountainbiking.com/mou...

Answer 6

1.  Buy a quality product from a dedicated bike shop (LBS) that has the expertise to put you on the right bike and provide service after the sale.

2.  You will see many types of bikes available now:  "drop bar" road bikes, "flat bar" or "fitness" road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids, comfort bikes, cruisers, and models that are specifically designed with the commuter in mind.

3.  Mountain bikes have rugged suspensions that add weight, maintenance concerns, and cost while lowering efficiency on smooth paths.  Consider something with a rigid frame/fork for road use and bike paths.

4.  Brands:  A reputable LBS will sell quality bikes.  Don't worry so much about brands.  The staff will work with you on finding the right bike within your budget.  Often, there are several grades of bikes within a particular model line;  the price will vary with the different components offered.  The LBS staff will explain these differences to you.

5.  Shifting:  You'll probably want a geared bike if you're not in reasonably good shape or commuting on flat terrain without much added weight.  Most multispeed bikes have external (derailleur) gearing and come with up to 30 speeds.  The derailleurs (mechanisms that actually move the chain through the gears) don't like to be abused or allowed to run laden with grime for extended periods; they like regular attention.  "Internally geared" bikes don't use derailleurs and offer an alternative that's great for commuting in wet or dirty conditions by riders that don't want to do alot of routine cleaning themselves.  Many of these are geared with eight speeds, a practical amount for most commuting needs.

6.  Saddles:  Most of your comfort and commuter bikes should come with a reasonably comfortable seat or "saddle."  Saddles on other bikes may not be as comfortable initially, depending on how used your rearend is to riding.  The actual adjustment of the saddle matters significantly.  Here again, the expert staff at an LBS will fine tune your adjustments.  Some bikes also come with a suspension seatpost that some riders find comfortable.

***For Commuting...

1.  Develop your riding skills and confidence if you plan to share the road with motor vehicles.

2.  Understand your rights and responsibilities as a cyclist on the road and multi-use paths.

3.  Consider a rear view mirror.  Those that mount on eyeglasses or helmets (like the "Take-A-Look" mirror) are small, light and more practical than bar-mounted mirrors.

4.  Know how and where to lock your bike.  Your LBS will sell bicycle locks designed for the purpose.  A poorly secured bike is attractive to thieves.

5.  Carry a flat repair kit (with spare tube) and know how to use it.  Commuter-specific tires may get fewer punctures, but all can flat out when they hit glass, staples, or nails just right.

6.  For low-light and night riding, you'll want lighting.  Tail lights are an inexpensive means to make yourself visible to other road users even when you think you should be visible.  Front (head) lighting is more expensive but will be required for road riding after sunset.  Some commuter bikes come with lighting systems of varying quality.

7.  Get fenders if your rides might splatter you with road grime on your way to work.  Again, some commuting bikes already have these included.

8.  Plan the route you will commute.  Know alternative routes should you need them.  Ride your route several times on off-days to get accustomed to it.

Answer 7

i just bought a Trek. it's a hybrid bike and it rides very smoothly on the road. Plus it's really fast so you'll get to work in no time.

Answer 8

First, decide how much you want to spend. Then go to a local bike shop and tell them where and how you want to ride as well as your budget. They will match you up with the bike that best fits your needs. They will also be qualified to make sure the bike fits you. Test ride the bike. Then go to other bike shops and test what they have to offer. The bike business is so competitive that bikes at the same price point are very likely to be equivalent values, so don't get hung up on components. Buy the bike, not the brand name. One bike will fit you better and feel better than the others. Buy that bike. It is the one you will enjoy and use the most.

HTH