Outside the Realm
If after you’ve checked out these styles, still none of these bikes offers you what you need, check out these other kinds of bikes. Tandems, recumbents, and tricycles are all unique types of bikes that you likely won’t see very often, either out on the trail or on the showroom floor at your local bike shop.
But each offers specific features and functions that may be just what you are looking for. Read more about these alternatives to the mainstream styles of bicycles.
Buying Advice
If you are still unsure about what type to get, one of the best ways is to borrow a bike from a friend and try it out. Be sure to go on a ride longer than a lap around the parking lot, too. Twenty minutes should be enough to know if you are comfortable with the way you sit on a particular type of bike, and if the pace is right for you, or if it will be something that ultimately disappoints you.
An example – I thought I’d get a hybrid bike for commuting. I thought that the upright posture and a sturdier frame would be just what I needed. But just a few minutes on the bike and I could tell that I wasn’t able to go fast enough to suit me, and that I wasn’t going to be happy with that type of bike for the long run.
Once you’ve figured out the best style of bike for you, it’s time to start shopping. Resist the temptation to go cheap. With bikes, like most everything else, you get what you pay for. Chances are you won’t be happy over the long run with a cheapie bike from a big box discounter, even if it was a deal. They are heavy and the components won’t last like they would in a quality model. Ultimately, you’ll be frustrated, and end up spending the money to get that better bike you should have bought in the first place.
The best way to get a decent bike without forking out a whole bunch of money, particularly if you’re still wondering if you’ll stick with it for a while, is to buy a used bike rather than purchasing one new. And sources abound, from sites like Craigslist to the classified ads in the newspaper to a swap board carried by your local bike shop on its website.
While shopping for a used bike on your own means you won’t have the same input as you get from a knowledgeable salesman at the local bike shop, the opportunity to take the bike for a test ride coupled with a little online research should be enough to tell you about the suitability of your purchase.
So, after you’ve thought thoroughly about they type of riding you’ll be doing, and taken a several different types out for test rides, go get the very best bike you can afford. It’ll be money well spent.
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