I had always been a bike purist.
Up until recently, Ive been riding the same bike I got for my 10th birthday.
As a total beginner, I discovered picking the right bike isnt as simple as I thought.
From frame size to extra features, heres how to find your perfect ride.
Even then, I discovered there were options.
Road bikes: Meant for pavement use, likeriding around in the city.
Hybrid bikes:A cross between mountain and road bikes.
Not as fast as road bikes, and not as rugged as mountain bikes, but good for commuting.
Cruisers: Casual bike for, you know, cruising.
The kind of bikes you see people ride around boardwalks near the beach.
This infographicalso does an excellent job of breaking down the different bike types for beginners.
But for us beginners, these four are a good place to start.
Calculate how much you want to spend
It goes without saying that bikes can be expensive.
Usually these basic metal frames are just functional, though often still stylish.
Target sells low-range models by numerous brands, including Huffy and Forge.
Mid-range bikes cost $300 to $1,000.
High-end bikes cost $1,000 and higher.
you’re free to also find decent, affordable bikes second-hand.
Not only did I look ridiculous, it was also uncomfortable.
Here are someframe sizing chartsthat can help you pick the right bike frame based on all of these factors.
Or, even better, use thiscalculator to determine your bicycle frame size.
Andheres a quick rule of thumb: the frame size should be about .65 times your inseam.
If you have 25 inseam, youd need a bike with a 16 frame.
For a mountain bike the distance to the frame should be greater.
Handlebars matter, too.
But higher handlebars let you apply more power to the pedals.
The shape and position of your handlebars also depend on the bike you get.
Lightweight and aerodynamic, so ideal for fast riding.
You are in a lower, hunched over position, which can be uncomfortable for your back.
Flat bar: Common on hybrid bikes, sometimes on road or mountain bikes.
Riser bar: Common on mountain bikes.
Mustache bar: Found on some road and hybrid bikes.
Kind of like drop bars but the drop isnt as deep.
You may also want to consider your bikes suspension.
Suspension is meant to keep you well, suspended, if youre riding in a rough, rugged area.
If youre looking for a mountain bike, you probably want one with full or at least front suspension.
Full suspension helps you maintain control and increases traction.
Front suspension absorbs impact and makes for a smooth ride, and its ideal for hybrids, too.
If youre getting a road bike, your bike may not include any suspension at all.
Finally, there are the brakes.
There are a number of different types of brakes, and they all have pros and cons.
Here are the most common:
Rim brakes: Pads that grip onto the rims of the wheel.
Disc brakes: These are brakes that are attached to and grip onto the wheel hub.
Coaster brakes:These are the brakes that work when you pedal backward.
Theres not much maintenance involved, and theyre good for kids, who may not have much hand strength.
They may not be ideal when youre biking downhill, though.
Drum brakes: Integrated into the wheel hub.
Theyre low maintenance and weather-resistant.
If the drum wears out, though, the hub and wheel may need to be replaced, too.
My feet could barely touch the ground, and that didnt seem right.
He explained to me that theyshouldnttouch the ground, though.
If your leg is straight (knee locked), your seat is too high.
If your knee is very bent… your seat is too low.
This avoids knee pain.
They add that your seat angle also shouldnt tilt down.
Take your bike for a test spin.
If its a hybrid, are you okay with sitting upright?
Ability to handle the terrain:Ideally, you should test ride your bike on different surfaces.
See how it handles corners, hills, and descents.
If its a lightweight bike, you might find it difficult to ride.
You may also want to test ride multiple bikes to get a feel for different styles.
This story was originally published on 6/23/16 and was updated on 10/3/19 to provide more thorough and current information.
Updated 3/4/22 with new details.
