Buying Advice - All the Details to Consider When Choosing a Bike

When it comes to the best bike to buy, it is a difficult question to answer. Not because it’s hard to find a great bike, but because the best bike to buy depends entirely on you, the rider. So perhaps instead of asking what the best bike is, you should ask how do you choose the best bike for you.

The first step to buy bicycle that is right for you is to make sure that it is suitable for what you want. For example, if you want to go off-road, then you should buy a mountain bike. Cyclocross bikes or gravel bikes are amazingly versatile, and they are great fun off-road as long as it’s smooth. For any genuine, adrenaline-fueled off-roading, the fatter tires of a mountain bike just make it more fun. You will have more control, they are less susceptible to the bumps and rocks and roots, so you ride in more comfortably, faster and you are also less likely to get a puncture. 

So, what about these gravel or cyclocross bike then? Well, they are like road bikes, basically. However, they are a little bit slow. So if you want to race on the road, you’re gonna need to buy a real road bike. For anything else, this bike could be perfect. 

Because they also feel really robust, you could happily ride this bike to work every single day through the winter, or stick a child seat on the back - it is a true workhorse. 

Given that you probably won’t be doing race, is there really a point in buying a road bike? Oh yeah, there is definitely a point in buying a road bike. They are faster, more responsive, more lively, they climb better and they can descend better too.

The next step is getting the correct fit. That is incredibly important in getting the best bike for you.

You don’t need to buy bicycle with a professional fit. Most people, rightly, will concentrate on saddle height. That actually is very easily adjustable and so, what has more of an effect on what the actual right bike is, is the reach of the handlebars, and also their height. So, if you prefer a short or higher position, you’re probably going to have to buy a bike that gives you that, for example and endurance type road bike.

However, if you prefer a longer, more stretched-out position, you will probably find an endurance bike quite uncomfortable. So actually, you will need to go for more traditional, lightweight, or arrow bike. 

Keep in mind that more expansive gears tend to work better and more smoothly. Wheels and tyres can make or break ride quality. So a good, lightweight set can have a transformative effect on the bike. So, when you are purchasing a new one, you should definitely pay attention to what is on it, and potentially, make some sacrifices elsewhere on the bike in order to get a cracking’s set of wheels. 

What happens if the bike that you would like to buy comes with a saddle that you don’t like, or toe clips and straps? You change them. That is what having a little bit of extra budget set aside to maybe buy a set of clipless pedals, or buy a handlebar with a different shape that you prefer can make a real difference to a bike. So try not to let just one or two components choices put you off what might otherwise be the best bike for you.