So you want to start biking more, but there’s just one problem…you don’t have a bike to use! Read this guide to figure out which bicycle will fit you best. It covers things like budget, features, and storage.
Budgeting
Before going to a bike shop, make sure you know how much you are willing to spend on a bicycle. Some bikes are upwards of $10,000; most people are never going to spend that much on a bicycle. I would not recommend a bicycle less than $200, though, because I would worry about how well it would hold up. There’s no point in saving money with a cheaper bicycle if it’s just going to cost you more for repairs or replacements.
It’s important to remember that the bicycle itself might not be the only cost. Do you need a helmet, lock, car rack, etc.? What about a kickstand or rack? Think about all the necessary extras when budgeting for your bike. In my opinion, a good quality helmet and lock are more important than a good quality bike.
Tires
There are many different tires to consider when choosing a bike. It is important to note which types of terrain you will be riding on and how you like to ride in order to figure out what kind of tires will work best for you. For someone who values speed over puncture-resistance and grip, a skinnier tire is better. Wider tires are less likely to puncture but lose speed.
Road tires are great for pavement-only routes. The tires are slimmer and focus on speed over grip. The tires are smoother than other types, which helps boost speed, but can make it tricky to grip wet or rough terrain. Road tires are typically what is seen in cycling races. This type of tire is great if you want to stick to the road and focus on speed, but is not great for all-around use.
Mountain bike tires are the complete opposite of road tires. They are wide with a knobby tread. The wider tire lets the bike run on much lower tire pressure. These tires are made for off-road use. They work well for rolling over roots and rocks. The tire creates much more friction than a road tire, which means the rider has to output more energy to go the same speed and distance. I personally ride with mountain bike tires on my bike, but that is because I occasionally use it on trails. Like with the road tire, this is not a great choice for all-around biking.
Gravel tires are a nice mix between road and mountain bike tires. They are smooth in the middle like road tires, but have knobby tread on the sides. This helps with speed when going straight and grip when making sharp turns. Gravel tires also come in a wide variety of widths. Gravel tires work well in a variety of situations, but it is often expensive for true gravel tires.
Commuter/hybrid tires have similar tread to road bikes, but are wider. This can help the bike grip the ground more, increase puncture resistance, and make your ride more comfortable. This tire is an excellent choice for general, all-around riding. It performs well on paved roads, but can also handle dirt and gravel. As a bonus, it’s not too expensive and many entry level bikes come with this tire already.
After deciding what type of tread pattern you want your bike to have, how do you want your tire to hold air? There are two main ways to do this: tubed and tubeless. Tubed tires are the most common type. The tire does not actually hold the air in, but rather holds the tube (which hold the air) to the rim. Tubed tires are harder than tubeless when it comes to roadside patches, but are overall cheaper and more beginner friendly. Tubeless tires have a liquid sealant between the tire and the rim to keep the air inside. They are less likely to puncture and can even patch themselves when it comes to small punctures like nails. Tubeless tires are much more difficult to mount to your bike, however. My recommendation is that if you have never heard of tubeless bike tires before today, go with the tubed tires.
Frames and Handlebars
When it comes to pickling out which style of frame you want, some of it is functionality and some of it is personal choice. For instance, if you intend to transport lots of items with your bike, selecting something that can mount racks or baskets is a good idea. There are lots of frames within that category, though, that is more based on personal preference.
A Dutch (or woman’s) style bike is great when it comes to comfort. It is much easier to get on and off of the bike without a top tube in the way. These bikes also tend to come with the ability to mount racks since they are often used for commuting. The upright sitting position makes it more comfortable when riding and encourages good posture.
Commuting, cargo, and bikepacking bikes are made for carrying things. They have lots of places to attach racks, baskets, and trailers. Cargo bikes are extremely long and have an entire cargo area between the rider and the front wheel. This can be useful when traveling with young kids as the cargo area can act as a stroller would. Attaching a trailer to the back of a commuting bike is another way to safely bring your children along if they are too young or small to ride a bike.
Road bikes have a tall saddle and low handle bars. It is designed to be more aerodynamic, but does not have a very comfortable sitting position. Instead, the rider must bend forward quite far. The drop handlebars allow for more options when it comes to gripping your bike. As with the tires, road bikes prioritize speed over everything else.
Mountain bike frames have wide handlebars to allow for more control over the bike. The top tube is angled as well to give a greater range of positions to the saddle. Mountain bikers will often change their seat height during rides. Mountain bikes also have a more forward leaning position than other styles, like the Dutch bike, though it is not quite as intense as the road bike.
Gravel bikes are again a mix of mountain and road bikes. The frame closely resembles a mountain bike, but the handlebars are more like a road bike with drop bars.
Overall, if you are comfortable sitting on and riding with a specific frame, choose that one. Different frames are designed for different tasks, but as long as you like it and can use it, that’s all that matters.
Suspension
Suspension on bikes is typically reserved for mountain bikes, but many department store bikes (especially in this region) have front suspension and sometimes even rear suspension.
Front suspension is nice if you are on a bumpy route. If there are cracks, potholes, or other rough terrain where you will be biking. I do not recommend rear suspension unless you intend to go mountain biking. It is much harder and more expensive to maintain. Most people are not going to need any kind of suspension on their bike, but it is something to consider.
Storage Space
Where will you be storing your bike? Do you have a big garage or do you live in a small studio apartment?
For those with less space, a folding bike might be something you are interested in. Folding bikes, like the name suggests, fold up to save storage space. If you have a little more space, you might want to consider storing your bike upright. This lets the bike take up less floor space. However, storing a bike upright can mess with hydraulic brakes by moving any bubbles in the brake line closer to the lever, so I would not recommend storing a bike with hydraulic brakes like that, especially if you will not be using it for long periods at a time. If you bleed your brakes regularly, though, vertical storage should not be an issue.
TL;DR
There are several aspects to think about when selecting the right bike for you. Frames, tires, storage, and more are all things to consider. The most important consideration, though, is to find a bicycle that is within your budget, comfortable to ride on, and fits your situation. Once you decide you want to purchase your own bike, it’s time to start looking around.
A department store bike will serve you just fine if you will not be doing any intensive biking. Department store bikes aren’t fancy, but they work well for the vast majority of bike owners. You don’t need a top quality bike, especially when just getting started. They are sometimes assembled incorrectly, however, so keep that in mind.
If you want something that is a little better quality, find bike shops near you. You can even go into the shop and talk to an employee about finding the right bike. Most of them are going to be super excited to help you and offer great advice. In Johnson City, Local Motion and Trek are both located downtown and have great employees.
If you have any more questions about what bike might be right for you or what else to look out for, feel free to ask me and I’ll do my best to answer.