Buying a Bike
Wheel Life column - 18 March, 2000
by Todd Litman and Suzanne Kort - Victoria Transport Policy Institute

Last week we described a wide range of upcoming cycling events and activities. If any sound attractive but you don't have a suitable bike, perhaps its time to buy a new one. Here are some tips for selecting a bike that meets your needs.

There are many types of bikes to choose from - so many it can be confusing. Before you shop, think about the type of riding that you will be doing. Will you ride short or longer distances? Fast or slow? Roads or trails? How much do you need to carry?

For short rides at an easy pace, you might consider a cruiser, which has big tires and seat, and upright handlebars, for a really comfortable ride. The style harks back to the 1950s, but new ones sitting in bike shops have updated features, including multi-speed gearing and hand brakes. Cruisers are a good choice if your riding is limited to short trips with minimal hills.

For longer rides, rougher trails and steep climbs you need a mountain bike. They have fat tires, upright handlebars, wide-range gearing, and sturdy components designed to withstand rough use, yet the good ones are surprizingly light, due to careful design.

Most quality mountain bikes now have suspension (shock absorbers), an important feature for serious downhill racing and a nice comfort feature for the rest of us. Mountain bikes are also a good choice for general use, recreational rides, errands and commuting. They are comfortable, reliable and strong enough to carry heavy loads.

If most of your riding is on streets and paved trails you may prefer to modify your mountain bike with smoother tires, a fatter seat and more upright handlebars. In fact, some of the most popular bikes now are designed with those features. Called "hybrids" or "comfort bikes," they are the best choice for most beginners and casual riders who want a little of everything: comfort, strength and some speed.

If you want maximum speed, choose a sport or road racing bikes. These thoroughbreds have narrow wheels and tires to minimize rolling resistance, narrow-range gearing (racers never go slow) and drop handlebars so you can maintain an aerodynamic position. They are a good choice if you have a very long commute, if you want to go on serious sport rides, or if you just like to ride fast. However, they require extra care (watch out for potholes), and are unsuitable for carrying a lot of baggage.

Touring bikes look similar to racing bikes, with drop handlebars, but they have somewhat heavier wheels, sturdy brakes and wide range gearing. They are designed to carry heavy loads and to be comfortable after a full day of riding. A touring bike also makes a good commuting and general use bike if you like drop handlebars.

Regardless of the type of bicycle you choose, it's important to get good quality. That doesn't mean that you must shell out thousands of dollars to purchase the top of the line model, but we suggest choosing a bike in the medium or better price range. A cheap bike can cause grief down the road, costing far more over the long run in money and frustration. For a few extra dollars you can get a far more comfortable and reliable bike.

We recommend purchasing your bicycle from a bikeshop rather than a discount store. Bikeshops have higher-quality products and knowledgeable staff who can help you find the right bike and adjust it to fit you correctly. Shop around until you find a bikeshop whose advice you trust, then stick with it just as you would a doctor or dentist.

In addition to the bicycle, it is also important to budget for accessories: helmet, lock, rack, lights, fenders, cyclocomputer, and other gadgets that make a bike really meet your needs. It's not unusual to spend nearly as much on accessories as you do on a bike itself. If possible, purchase accessories when you buy a bike. The bikeshop will install them for free, and you can often negotiate a discount when you get a package deal.