Unless you have already straddled the saddle and rode your dream bike in the ideal conditions, chances are you will be as soon as you get it. Hopefully, some research has educated you with what to look for and what to avoid when choosing your next bicycle. The follow is a simple guide for understanding your riding style, and what you should look for, and cautiously avoid, when shopping for that bicycle.
First of all you need to determine what the bikes riding style is capable of. If you are one to stick to the pavement you could be looking a purchasing a road bike or commuter. If dirt and mud is more to your likening then a free-ride or all-mountain setup is more adapted to handle the terrain over a multi-sport. Whatever the style, make sure you know the bikes intended use so your experience are memorable for all the right reasons.
Be sure to get the material of the frame before committing. There are several grades of aluminum and steel, including composites, with each having advantages and disadvantages over the others. Carbon fibre is another choice of frame material and can benefit over alloys by weight. Be warned however; if you are a heavier set person with the intention of lightening your mechanical steed, check with the manufacturer to confirm whether the frame can support your weight.
Sizing your bike can be a difficult task. Simply standing over the top bar of a bike is not how any bike should be sized as no two are built alike. For those who can afford it, to have yourself fitted can determine if the cockpit of a bike will allow proper alignment and posture of wrists, elbows, knees and toes. There are many resources available to get your measurements and calculate your standover height and other things such as: seat stay and head tube angle, stem length, and handlebar width.
The mechanical components of a bicycles drivetrain constantly change as the technology allows for more precise manufacturing techniques. One key thing to look for is how the shifters operate the derailleur. Some like a responsive shift where changing gears require little effort, where others prefer accurate shifting which minimises the chance for failure when the need to change is upon them.
Now that you have been equipped with some general knowledge on choosing the right bike, get out there and start pestering your local bike shop guys to see how they can make any sense of this article to you.
