Bicycle buying guide - how to choose a bike that best suits you?
You have decided to purchase a new bike and you have faced a chalenge of which bike would best suit you between all this different types and models offered in the market. Therefore we have put together a convenient guide to lead you step by step in order to quickly find the perfect bike for you.
Firstly, you have to ask yourself of whereabouts you will mostly use your bike. Whether is it going to be mostly city or are you sports oriented cyclist for pavement roads? Maybe you prefer cycling in the woods with nice paths or are you into adventorous mountain biking? Some of you are even more extreme focused looking for dirt and downhill bikes. Nonetheless you have to be very carefull with selecting the right frame size, gearing system, manufacturer and the proper equipment that will best suit your needs.
In phase one we differentiate bikes upon a genre, between male and female bikes. Female bikes are nowadays commonly adjusted to a female anatomy (narrower bar, shorter top tube, shorter stem, thinner grips, female saddles and female design), while male bikes are still used as unisex bikes. More experienced and taller women riders often decide for a men's bike.
Usually its yourself knowing best what terrain you ride the most, therefore be extra carefull and aware of that fact when deciding about the type of the bike. Most commonly bikes are segmented into: mountain bike, road bike, trekking/hybrid bike, city/urban bike and kids bike.
- If you prefer riding offroad in the mountains then mountain bike is the best choice.
Mountain bike category is nowadays much more complex category that divides further into hardtail bikes and full suspension bikes, 26 and 29 inch wheels, and more...
- If you are sports oriented cyclist for pavement roads, then you will most likely choose a road bike.
- If you are a type of cyclist looking for comfort on the road and on nice gravel roads then your prefered category is trekking bikes
- People who live in the city and are looking for a daily non carbon print transportation, will probably choose one of the city bikes.
- • Lastly as the name points out, kids bikes are for the youngest riders.
Full suspension bikes
Full suspension bikes - bikes equiped with front suspension and with a rear shock. Commonly divided into these categories: cross country/trail bikes, all-mountain full suspension bikes, enduro bikes, freeride bikes in downhill bikes.
The main difference between all these types of bikes is hidden in specific geometry of the frame and amount of suspension. Though frame geometry is always determining bike's intended use.
Hardtail bikes
These bikes are best to use mostly on smoother offroad paths. Often they are called cross country bikes.
Rear end is stiff with no suspension, giving the rider full and most efficient power transfer, without unnecessary energy loss.
Front suspension usually comes with 80 to 100mm of travel giving the front wheel suspension and damping to easily overcome rough surface and to make the ride smoother and faster.
Hardtail bikes category also includes dirt and street bikes. These bikes are built for jumps on specificly built jumps and trails, whether from dirt or wood in the cities or out of town in the woods.
Cross country/trail bikes
Between all above listed categories of full suspension bikes, cross country bikes have always the steepest seat and head tube angle as they are built for longer rides with faster pace and lots of uphill pedalling. When cranks are located as vertical under the cyclist as possible the climbing becomes more and more efficient. Equally with the steeper head angle, the front axle drops even more under the cyclist, giving it more front wheel ground traction.
Cross country bikes are commonly equiped with suspension in between 100 and 130mm of travel. Cross country bikes are built for speed and better pedalling efficiency, though on the other side these bikes are more difficult to handle when the terrain gets more technical and demanding.
Uphill pedalling and fast pace driven cyclist are most likely owners or future buyers of cross country bikes.
All-mountain full suspension bikes
Full suspended mountain bike that will get you just about anywhere you point your finger to. Slightly slacker head and seat tube angles contribute significantly when it comes to overcoming steeper and technical terrains on your way down from the mountain. Slacker head tube angle is giving the bike stability when going downhill. Also the geometry is moving the riders position slightly backwards over the rear tyre. With this position rider achieves more stability and control when tackling technical rocky and rooty sections of the trail ahead.
Suspension travel varies from 130 to 150mm. That amount of travel allows the rider a mistake or two while the bike's wheels still remain ground traction when the trail gets technical and the pace becomes faster.
All mountain bikes are nowadays best sellers. Riders looking for a do it all bike will be looking at the bikes in this category. These bikes are equally efficient while going up or downhill. All mountain bikes become alive off the roads when the terrain is mixed with flowy singletrails, technical sections and steep and narrow paths usually reserved for hikers.
Enduro full suspension bikes
Equiped with slacker head and seat tube angle than all-mountain and cross country bikes and usually with an inch of more suspension travel than all-mountain bikes. Head tube angles are usually within a range of 66.5° and 67.5° degrees, making these bikes capable of handling steep terrain, whereas seat tube angles are still steep enough to give the rider an efficient climbing position.
Enduro full suspension bikes are these days efficient climbers and vicious descendants in other words these bikes are capable of handling any kind of terrain.
These bikes are mostly suspended with 160mm of travel, some of them even up to 180mm. If we would need to define climbing and descending capabilities, we would say these bikes are 40% climbers and 60% downhillers.
Freeride and downhill bikes
Bikes in this category are specified with extremely slack head and seat tube angles and supported with 180 to 200mm of suspension travel, some with even more.
Everything on these bikes is built for speed when going downhill over rough terrain.
Downhill bikes are not built for pedalling uphill. Due to extremely slack seat and head tube angle and significant amount of travel, these bikes are capable of handling extremely steep descents, carrying high speeds over technical terrain while staying stable and nimble. Geometry of these bikes makes them impossible for pedalling uphill, therefore you will need an assist of some kind of shuttle. Whether cable car or you friend’s or mum’s car. Freeride and downhill bikes come alive in bike parks, downhill trails, over huge jumps and drops.
If you are an adrenaline junky then this is definitely your category of bikes.
BMX and dirt bikes
BMX and dirt bike's intended use is mainly riding street, skate parks and dirt jumps.
BMX and Dirt bikes are probably the most durable bikes that can whitstand all kind of abuse and they come with as little as possible equipment to prevent any major costs due to frequent crashes.
Frames are often made of steel (CrMo), that is more durable and can better withstand hits and crashes. Also these bikes usually come without derraileurs and shifters and they need less care as other bikes.
Dirt bikes are equiped with front suspension with approx. 80mm of travel and firmer springs.
Road bikes
Road bikes are going to be a choice for any enthusiast cyclist that wishes to gain some mileage on the road.
Road bikes are different between one and another based on geometry of the frame.
While the materials of the frame and other equipment become even more important when it comes to the weight of the road bikes. Mostly all the high performance road bikes are made of carbon fibres, that provides an astonishing frame stiffness, low weight and much better absorption, while the lower priced road bikes come with light aluminium frames that are a bit heavier in comparison to carbon fibre frames.
Based on geometry we differ from race bikes on one hand that are more suitable for performance oriented cyclists, and marathon bikes on the other hand.
Marathon bikes are built with geometry suitable for longer rides. Originally marathon bikes are designed for multi-day races, therefore their geometries are more comfortable, making the riding position more upright and less strenuous for the body, what is appreciated mostly from recreational riders.
If you are one of the sporty oriented cyclist wishing to improve your fitness and you prefer riding on the road then you fall into category of road bikes.
• Trekking bikes
Popularity of these bikes grows year by year. Trekking bikes are some sort of hybrids between mountain and road bikes.
Trekking bikes love to ride the road for miles and miles in a smooth and efficient way and you can just as easily take them on the gravel roads too.
Trekking bikes are equipped with bigger 28 inch wheels, providing higher speeds and smoother ride, medium profile tyres and a front suspension with approx. 60mm of travel for efficient ride.
Sitting position on these sort of bikes is more upright and comfortable making it less strenuous for the body when being in saddle for many hours. Trekking bikes category is your category if your preferred riding style is long pavement roads with occasional gravel paths.
Planning a multi-day road trip with a bike? Yes, this is the perfect bike to do it!
City bikes
Nowadays city bikes are one the most common means of transportation in urban areas. More and more people are becoming aware of carbon print they leave behind and therefore making a decision of daily commuting to work, to buy groceries etc. by bike.
Mostly these bikes come equipped with few gears, frames are build durably and light and in general these bikes do not need as much servicing as some other performance bikes.
City bikes come also equipped with fenders, racks and possibly some other adapters to attach a bag or a basket on your handlebar.
People living in urban areas are most common buyers of this kind of bikes.
Children’s bikes
The first step when selecting children’s bike is choosing the right size of the frame/wheels. Commonly sizes vary based on children’s age.
Bikes are designed and build durably with needing as little care as possible.
Top tube usually comes lower giving the child more clearance and making it easier going on and off the bike.
The smallest bikes (usually up to 16” wheels) have no gearing system yet and come equipped with a coaster brake. A bit bigger bikes (from 20” wheels on) do start to have gears (mostly twist shifter) and both brake levers on the handlebar.
When buying a children’s bike we must never forget a safety helmet. Helmet is a mandatory part of safety equipment that any child needs when going on a bike ride.
