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Road racers. Loaded tourers. Recumbents. Hardtails. Dualies. Hybrids. Cross bikes. Sport
tourers. Commuters.
Cruisers. Comfort bikes. Tandems. Head spinning yet? Try folders, singlespeeds,
freeriders, downhillers, track machines, travel bikes.
It’s a miracle people
leave the shop with the right bike. Need help? Before you shop, answer the following
questions and check the five basic bike types chart to fit the wheel to your deal.
1. Why do you bike?
Don’t buy a bike because your friend bought one, unless you plan to ride just like
your friend. Decide what you want in a bike. Is it riding for fitness? Is it for pedaling
around town? For off-road excursions? For travel? To take up bike racing? To commute?
Write down as many reasons as you can come up with and think carefully about which ones
are realistic.
2.
Who are you?
Some people want the best of everything; others are frugal and consider affordability
first. A serious athlete will have different goals than someone mostly interested in
recreation. Tech heads prefer the latest and most advanced engineering. Some cyclists want
a unique machine that sets them apart from the masses. One way to determine where you fit
is by thinking about other big purchases you made recently and the decisions you made in
the process. The better you know yourself, the easier it’ll be to get a bike
you’re happy with.
3. What kind of riding do you want to do?
Before answering, consider what type of riding is available in your area. For example, it
would be questionable to purchase a downhill racing mountain bike if you live in
Flatsville, Wisconsin. If you’re not sure because you’re new to cycling or the
area, visit a local shop and ask the people there where the great riding is to help decide
which model will be most fun for you. For many cyclists, the answer is two bikes, one for
road use and another for off off-road use.
4. What do you want to spend?
Hit the shops with a good idea of what you’d be comfortable spending. Every bike type
is available in a wide range of prices based on the frame material, the design and the
components it’s equipped with. If you can determine your comfort level, the dealer
can steer you toward bikes of the type you like in that general range and it’ll save
searching the aisles. It’s worth looking at slightly more expensive models to get a
feel for what a little extra cash buys. Often, for 15% more money, you can get parts that
would cost much more to purchase individually. If you’ve got the bucks it might make
sense to get the better bike. But keep in mind the essential accessories such as a helmet
and flat-tire repair kit that you may need and that these will add to the total cost of
the bike.
Road
Racer
Description: Traditional lightweight bike with skinny tires, dropped handlebars. Made to
be as efficient as possible for speed, quick handling, and high performance climbing,
descending, and sprinting. A scream to ride fast.
Pros: Most efficient all around performance. Excellent for racing and training. Ultralight
for easy climbing. Stiff frame excellent for sprinting, climbing and jamming. Quick
handling. Gorgeous to behold-a study in minimalism.
Cons: Ride can be harsh. Flat tires are common (though it depends a lot on equipment, how
and where you ride, and how much you weigh). Position is often low and best suited to a
very flexible person. If you're scared of speed, the ride may be more excitement than you
like. May not accept fenders.
Ideal Use: Training and racing on the road or century (100 mile) riding. Also can be used
for credit-card touring (carrying minimal gear and staying in hotels).
Road Sport (Touring Bike)
Description: Almost identical to the road racer in appearance, this bike usually sports a
slightly more comfortable and slower handling frame. The gearing is usually a little lower
to help in the hills. It's possible to easily install a rack and accessories such as
fenders; not always the case on a true racing bike.
Pros: Longer wheelbase absorbs road shock for more comfort than the racing bike. Low gears
mean less effort on the hills. Easier to carry bags and accessories. Often comes with more
padded seat and less extreme rider position, which also increases comfort. More stable on
descents.
Cons: Slightly heavier. Climbs and handles more slowly than the road racer.
Ideal Use: Fitness rides, centuries, commuting, distance touring.
Mountain
Bike
Description: Most popular model for the past decade. Designed like a Jeep for excellent
performance on rugged terrain. Equipped with a reliable sturdy frame, tough wheels with
knobby tires, upright handlebars, powerful brakes, and a dependable drivetrain with super
low gearing. Available with and without suspension though the former is most popular
today.
Pros: Escape traffic! Bulletproof design means excellent durability (provided you don't
abuse the bike). Greatly reduced chance of flat tires and bent rims. Incredible braking
power. Very comfortable due to wide tires and upright seating position. Total blast to
ride off road.
Cons: Can be ridden on the road but isn't efficient for long distances without changing
equipment. Most popular bike, consequently hot property for thieves. You may be tempted to
take dangerous chances and crash a lot more than you would on any other bike type.
Ideal Use: Trail riding for fun, fitness and racing. And around-town use if you're not
going far and aren't in a hurry (just bring a lock!).
Hybrid
Description: A bike designed primarily for road use but capable of fireroad riding as
well. A sturdy frame of mountain-bike pedigree equipped with wheels and tires made for
road use and upright (sometimes backswept:) handlebars. Sometimes equipped with suspension
seatpost and stem to absorb road shock.
Pros: Comfortable rider position especially when equipped with shocks to absorb bumps.
More resistant to flats than road racers or road sport bikes. Lighter than a mountain
bike. Easy to carry stuff and mount accessories.
Cons: Not great on the road or off the road. Not as fast or efficient as a road racer or
road sport so not ideal for distance riding though better suited for it than a
MTB.
Ideal Use: Fitness riding on and off road, running errands and commuting. Okay for touring
though upright position not the most efficient.
Recumbent
Description: A long and low road bike designed around an ergonomic seating position where
the rider sits in lawn-chair like comfort and pushes pedals located ahead of his/her body.
One of the fastest growing bike categories. Available with and without suspension.
Pros: No butt, neck, back, hand, shoulder, or arm pain! The most comfortable rider
position of all bikes. Some are much faster downhill and on the flats than other road
bikes. Due to a long wheelbase, can have very wide gear range meaning excellent lows for
climbing hills. Gets noticed everywhere you go.
Cons: Takes time to develop the muscles to ride a recumbent with complete comfort (only if
you're used to upright bikes). Most are slower on climbs. You get noticed everywhere you
go.
Ideal Use: Fitness riding, centuries, touring, training and racing in recumbent races.
Have fun choosing the right
bike
In my seventeen years
working in retail bicycle shops, I saw it many times: that glassy-eyed, dumbstruck look
that crept into customers’ faces when they gazed upon row after row of bicycles.
Sometimes, no matter how carefully we approached, no matter how softly we spoke, no matter
how patiently we answered questions, they’d leave, never to be seen again.
I’m sympathetic. I
know bicycles, so they don’t scare me. But other things do. For instance, heading to
the lumber store to purchase the right piece of wood for a project: Forget it. The minute
I’m next to those towering stacks of lumber, rubbing shoulders with all those
contractor types who know wood only the way termites can, I become nervous, jittery. When
the salesperson finally spots me and approaches, I can barely communicate and promptly buy
the first stick he offers. Better to do that than admit ignorance and ask a lot of stupid
questions. I mean, we don’t even speak the same language. Plus, there are people in
line who actually know something. I sure don’t want to hold them up. So, please,
don’t think of me as a bicycle expert here to intimidate. Think of me as a lot like
you; just someone who knows a bit more about bikes. I’ll try to guide you and take
some of the confusion and mystery out of the bicycle shopping process.
Hit
the Shops
It’s daunting to be presented with lots of selections, especially when the choices
are as varied as what’s found in bicycle stores today. But don’t let the large
selection scare you. Instead look at it as the opportunity to get the right bike at the
right price. If the store had only a few bikes to select from, it’s possible they
might not have one type or another that would be perfect for you. When you’re
shopping, having more bikes to look at and test ride is a good thing.
Brace yourself, though. The
salesperson wants to help but she has to get to know you first. Give her a chance even if
it’s uncomfortable. It may take a few tries before she figures out how to help you
out. Try to be open-minded and answer the questions as best you can. With any luck at all,
you’ll find common ground and start communicating.
If you can’t bear the
thought of dealing one-on-one with a salesperson, bring a friend along who’s more
comfortable and let him/her help translate. Beware the know-it-all though. You don’t
want someone who’s going to argue with the salesperson every time he tries to explain
something. That just leads to confusion and hostility and turns what should be a fun
process into a disaster. It’s better to bring someone who’s enthusiastic about
bikes and has an idea what you’re like and how you’ll like to ride.
Buy the Right Bike
One of the confusing parts of picking a bike is that manufacturers make a variety of
models designed for specific purposes. Generally, what you want to do with the bike will
match one of the available models. Sometimes however, you may have to look outside or
beyond the category of bike you think might work at first.
For example, many cyclists
want to tour on the road. The most efficient way to do this is to ride a traditional
touring bike with dropped handlebars and skinny wheels. And that’s what I would
recommend trying first and probably what the salesperson will recommend. But let’s
say that you have a bad back and can’t bend over. Let’s say too, that
you’re terrified of flat tires and can’t bear the thought of having to fix one.
Also, let’s assume that you’re not interested at all in covering a lot of miles
on your tour – you’ll be perfectly happy putting along at a sightseer’s
pace. If that’s your style, you might be much happier on a hybrid or even a mountain
bike. On these bikes, flats are rare. The seating position is upright so you needn’t
bend over. And the ride is soft and comfortable, ideal for casual riding.
To ensure that you find the
best bike for you and your riding goals, go into the shopping process prepared to be
flexible and willing to explore the many options. If you know what you want, that’s
fine. If you don’t, the more open-minded you are, the more likely you’ll get
just what you need.
Take Two
Next, I’d like to introduce this radical concept: most people these days won’t
be satisfied with one bike. And shopping with the attitude that they can buy one bike that
will do all things, is a recipe for confusion - and purchasing an unsatisfactory bike.
Here’s what can
happen: You decide you want a bike, and because all your friends ride mountain bikes, you
think that’s what you should get. Deep down though, you remember that you loved
riding the road years ago. But you rationalize that you’ll be okay riding your
mountain bike on the road when needed. And that you’re going to really enjoy riding
off-road with friends. So you buy the mountain bike. But, you quickly realize that you
prefer riding pavement to riding dirt - the feeling is different and you like it. Besides,
you’re never free when your friends hit the trails. You now wish you’d bought
what your gut told you to buy in the first place.
Like our example, if you
can reach your soul and discover one bike type that suits you, go for it and get that bike
type. It’s more likely however, that you have several goals in mind for that new
bike. The more you can hone down how you’ll ride, the better the chances are
you’ll get the right bike.
And one possibility for
many bikers is purchasing both a nice road and mountain bike. Most enthusiastic cyclists
today have one of each because the two types of riding are so different. They love riding
the road but they also love playing in the dirt so they want the best tool for each type
of cycling. It only makes sense. Having only one type of bike limits your fun because you
can’t fully enjoy all types of cycling. It’s like being a musician and only
owning one instrument or playing one type of music.
Keep this in mind as you
contemplate bicycle types. Some are so focused that they’re really only suited to
specific tasks. Others do more. But, if you’re open to the possibility of buying two
bikes, or starting with one and adding to your fleet later, you’ll stand the best
chance of getting a great bike(s) at the outset.
Hop Aboard
You can test ride a lot of bicycles at bike shops. Usually though, you end up riding up
and down the street or possibly around a parking lot. That’s better than no test ride
at all. But I’d like to paint a clearer picture of what it’s like to ride
different two-wheelers. Come along as I take a few for a ride.
Litespeed Vortex (Road Racer)
Ten pedal strokes is all it takes to hit 25 mph as I roll out my driveway and meet the
road. Settling into the Cinelli drop handlebars, I relax my arms and imagine I’m
sitting in the pack with Lance and Frankie in the Tour de France. I fly down Bay Street
hill and whip around the corner heading toward the coast. My super-narrow, high-pressure
Continental tires look fragile but they roll effortlessly and stick like contact cement in
turns.
I’m pedaling at 100
rpm now; my heart rate is at 150 as I start to fight the southerly headwind on the coast.
I flatten my back to get even lower, shift into a slightly easier gear by flicking the
Shimano Dura-Ace shifting brake lever sideways (no need to remove my hand from the
handlebars) and find a nice pedal rhythm. I want a good workout but don’t want to
blow up my legs before the climb so I keep a good pedal spin going and push just enough to
feel a slight burn in my quadriceps muscles.
Soon, I head east for the
long climb. Shifting onto the small chainring, I stand to work up the steep part of the
hill. The Vortex weighs less than 17 pounds. With a superlight and incredibly responsive
titanium frame it’s a joy jamming up hill. I feel like I’m dancing on the pedals
as I really push for the top. I can feel my legs tiring but I need to work so I keep
pushing until my heart rate monitor limit alarm sounds. I visualize the pack of riders
being dropped behind as I make my escape over the top of the climb.
Ahead lie a series of
downhill corners and I go into a full tuck to pick up speed without pedaling. I hear the
wind whistling past my ears and the tires singing as I burn the blacktop. The corners come
at me fast but I relax and let the Litespeed do the work. All I have to do is lean the
right way and the bike carves the perfect corner.
Town line coming up;
I’ve got to win the sprint. I bang the right shifter twice to hit a taller gear and
jump for the line. I breathe like a weight lifter to power each pedal stroke and try to
reach maximum rpm pulling on the handlebars with all my might. My standing muscles are
blown so I fall into the saddle and try to rev my spin even more as I near the finish. The
crowd roars as I blow through the tape.
GT XCR-2000 I-Drive
(Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike)
I’m as happy on this bike at the trailhead as I am jamming singletrack. Why? Because
people can’t stop gawking at it and I can’t get enough of explaining the trick
action of the rear suspension. Those bikebrains at GT have this rig totally dialed. As the
rear end moves up and down over five inches to suck up giant hits on bumpy trails, the
crankset (where the pedals attach) actually rotates inside the frame.
As I hit the trailhead and
start to climb, there’s no energy-sapping, herky-jerky motion at the pedals. I feel
the bike sucking up bumps so I can just sit here enjoying the ride. I notice a little more
weight than what’s on my old front-suspended-only bike, but I feel the rear
suspension is worth having.
Veering onto the
singletrack, I shift onto the middle chainring with a push of the Shimano LX Rapid Fire
shifters and give a few quick pedals to pick up the pace. There’s a stretch of ruts
ahead that’s a gas to hit at speed. On my old hardtail (suspension on the front only)
mountain bike, it used to scare me. But now, I bring more speed through the section and
the momentum helps a lot.
I have to slow and drop
into a creek bed that I follow for a quarter mile or so. The water’s not deep so I
can see all the rocks beneath. I hold tightly to the bars and get bounced off one rock
after another. I’m not choosing the line; the rocks are doing it for me. Too cool.
I have to hang on because
each rock knocks the wheel off line. But the Marzocchi Z.3 shock fork is great. I can
handle these rocks and a lot of other obstacles thanks to four inches of fork travel and a
super solid wheel-to-fork connection that ensures the bike goes where it’s pointed.
The trail goes up a short
embankment. It’s soft and loose. I shift into the easiest gear and try to spin up it.
The rear suspension sticks the tire to the ground and it digs in but the front end
wheelies. I stand and shift my weight forward to get the front on the ground and the rear
wheel starts to lose traction again. I move toward the bike’s center and bounce with
each pedal stroke to get the tires to dig in. I’m almost there. Argh! I lose it and
fall over inches from making it.
Righting the bike and
myself I head back to the trailhead. I spot a couple guys disappearing around the corner
and quickly shift into a harder gear to chase them down. I’m riding through a grassy
clearing that’s very bumpy and tricky because I can’t see the bumps all that
well. The faster I go, the smoother the ride gets so I shift up and push harder. I can see
the fork soaking up the hits and realize that, besides helping me fly over this minefield,
the GT?s dual suspension is saving my tired bones loads of abuse.
The boys ahead must be
having as much fun as me because I haven’t closed an inch on them. It’s mostly
downhill now and I’m supremely confident in what this bike can do, so I stand and jam
a bit to build up as much speed as I can. I’d love to fly by these guys on the hill.
Big mistake. I hit a berm in the first turn and get launched. Amazingly, I end up off the
trail but the landing is whipped-cream soft and I don’t crash. All right! On with the
chase. I’ll catch those guys yet.
Specialized
M2 (Front-Suspended Mountain Bike; a.k.a. "Hardtail")
Thick fog compromises my sight so I put on clear lens glasses on my way out the door. I
know it’ll warm up later and there’s no water on the trail we’re riding
today so I take along my backpack hydration system. Tucked in the pocket is a great
all-in-one tool that’ll allow me to fix anything that breaks on my or my
friends’ bikes (they love me for it). There’s money in there too for the
pre-ride coffee and the postride burrito.
I meet my buds at the shop
and we change plans because Joe has to get home sooner. Heading to Wilder Ranch, we opt
for an out-and-back singletrack trail, so narrow we’ll ride single file. I hop in
towards the front and hang on. Joe’s gotta get home so he’s cookin’. The
trail is rocky and loose and it’s tough spotting the best line with someone in front.
I back off a bit. Finding
the right gear on this section is tricky, too. Too easy a gear and the front end wants to
pop up. Too tall a gear and you may get stuck at a tough spot, lose momentum and stall
out. I shift into the middle chainring and the largest rear cog and bounce over the rocks
that I can’t miss. I have to be careful not to whack my chainring or bottom out the
tires against the rims. Nothing’s more frustrating that ruining a good ride with a
breakdown.
Everyone’s having the
same problems finding the best line and gear and we have to walk a few technical spots. At
one we stop to take turns trying to master this little stair step ledge section. It seems
like it should be rideable but we can’t manage. It’s hilarious watching people
try, though.
The trail smoothes but
steepens. I’m glad to be on a superlight bike; all the less poundage to carry uphill.
And it’s nice to be able to stand and really work the climb. I can feel the rear tire
on the ground dig in with each pedal thrust as the M2’s stiff rear frame does its job
transferring every ounce of oomph to the ground.
Finally, we clear the top
and get into a rolling wooded section. We’re all together only about 10 feet between
bikers when we hit the whoop-de-doos, a series of small bumps spaced just far enough apart
to let it rip. Joe’s still shreddin’ getting air off the top of each berm like
some X-Games champ. I follow his lead but keep airtime limited. Still, the landings are
soft thanks to three inches of travel from the suspension fork.
We hit a clearing and race
through a small stream before reaching the trail’s end. We’re exhausted but
ready to do the loop again.
Trek 1200 (Road Sport)
I’ve been training for six weeks to build up my legs to do the fall century (a
hundred mile ride). I’ve heard about the ride for years. It’s a fundraiser for a
good cause. I’ve also heard the food is great and that the course is scenic and
challenging.
I get to the start early
and sign in at registration. There are a lot of other cyclists there. It’s great
seeing all the different bikes and meeting some new people. I find a little group that
seems about my speed and we start out. The ride begins with an extended climb. I shift
onto the tiny inner ring on my triple-chainring crank and find the pedaling much easier.
I’m not going fast but I feel like I can go all day and I make it up the hill with
ease.
At the top, people are
waiting to meet up with those who came off the pace. We bunch up and head down the road.
By working in a group, we make good time and roll into the first rest stop just in time.
My two water bottles are almost empty. The food is as good as promised. What’s more,
they’re playing jazz and the servers are in costumes. Too funny. Our group has had
its fill so we roll out together toward lunch. There’s a lot to talk about and the
pace is friendly. My Trek rolls smoothly over the rough pavement thanks to fuller road
tires (fairly flat proof, too) and a stretched wheelbase. I sit higher than I would on a
full bore racing rig so my neck and back aren’t tweaked from reaching so far. I move
my hands every 15 minutes or so to a different position on the handlebars to keep my upper
body loose and my hands from numbing up. My padded saddle fits right and has enough cush
to eat up bumps. I could ride all day on this bike - sometimes I do!
Inspired by such a good
ride and how easy it was to finish, I start planning a three-day trip to the mountains.
I’ll add a rear rack and bag to the bike to carry some tools and a change of clothes.
I’ll stay in hotels along the way to clean up each day and get a good night’s
rest. It’ll be a blast.
Easy Racers Gold Rush (Recumbent)
I always hoped to own a fancy sports car. One day I still might. For now though, I’ve
got an incredible substitute: a recumbent. Like that sports car, it offers fantastic
handling, amazing top speeds and garners attention everywhere I go.
Today, I’m doing a
loop that starts with a tough climb and ends with a superb tailwind-blessed straightaway.
Heading uphill away from the house, I shift onto the granny gear, the smallest chainring
on my triple crankset and the largest cog on my cassette. This gives me an easy gear to
spin up the hill. I can’t stand to climb but I’ve ridden enough to develop the
new muscles needed to ride uphill in the super comfortable recumbent position.
I’m not sitting on a
conventional bike seat. My seat is comprised of a large cushion for my rear and a great
backrest for my back. It’s true armchair comfort. There’s no need to even invest
in special cycling shorts. My arms and back are comfy too because I’m not bending
over at all. The handlebars are directly in front, chopper style. The controls
couldn’t be easier to reach so there’s no stress on my shoulders, neck, hands or
back.
Reaching the summit, I turn
toward the ocean, a three-mile downhill plunge. I watch the speedometer numbers race
upward, 35, 45, 55! I know they’re accurate but the clear windshield on the front of
the bike keeps the wind from striking my chest so I can’t really sense the speed.
I’m nearing 57 mph as I hit the S-turn near the bottom. I’m barely two feet
above the ground but I feel supremely confident because I’m going feet first –
there’s no way I can go over the handlebars on this bike. So, I bank through the turn
like a Porsche, goosebumps breaking out on my arms and legs.
Joining a favorable
tailwind on the road to home, I can easily maintain 30 mph. That’s the advantage of
sitting so low with my feet and arms leading the way to break the wind. Of course, the
Zipper windshield helps a lot too. I can’t get enough of this laid-back seating
position. It’s really a bucket seat and I feel like I could actually be sitting in a
sports car as I jam home. What’s more, I get so many stares when riding this bike,
It’s obviously way more conspicuous than any four-wheeler you could buy - and a lot
more affordable, too.
Schwinn Searcher (Hybrid)
I could drive to drop off the packages at the post office and run my other errands; but
what a pain. There’s parking, exorbitant gas prices, traffic delays - even a chance
of road rage or accident. I think I’ll take my Schwinn.
I’ve equipped it with
a rear rack and panniers (bags that fit next to the rack) and a lock. I head away from my
house and remember how sweetly this rig rides. The shock-absorbing seatpost gobbles up
bumps before they reach my butt and spine and the wide handlebars make it super
comfortable sitting upright, the best position for pedaling in traffic because I can see
everything.
I hit the city streets and
notice that the kids have been busy: glass litters the road. No worries, my street slicks
are nearly impenetrable. I’ve also added thorn-proof tubes to help eliminate flats. I
decide the streets are too busy and head toward the bike path that follows the river- no
cars there. Rolling up to the post office, I find the bike rack and secure my machine. I
remove the bags and snap them together forming a briefcase to carry inside. I gleefully
notice that cars are circling trying to find parking spots.
Business done, I head
toward home when a thought strikes me: why not have some fun on the way back? I take the
river path back but veer toward the railroad tracks to pick up a dirt road leading the
back way home.
The Schwinn’s
easy gears come in handy on the rollers leaving town and I’m soon up the climb and
cruising along on a secluded road through the woods so very happy I left the car home.
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