Buying a bike can be a challenging task. If you are new to riding, the challenge of finally getting started is much more significant; the choices and options available seem endless.
Not to worry! This book will assist you in navigating the crucial decisions that you will need to make, as well as arming you with the required information and expertise to make your purchase of a bike that you will be comfortable and satisfied with for years to come.
Table of Contents
Why are you buying a bicycle?
When seeking for farm motorbikes for sale, the first thing to consider is why do you want to get a bike?
This simple question is the starting point for any further decisions you intend to make. The variety of bikes on the market is why you should consider the purpose of your need for a bike; it will help you narrow down the selection until you finally find your perfect fit. Consider the following questions to help you decide your intended purpose for the bike:
What do I want to use my Bicycle for?
It could be to ride with the kids either for exercise or to create a shared common interest, commuting, joining your local biking club, or you could even have the intention of becoming a biking pro and mastering new terrains. Answering this question will help narrow down the selections available on the bike market and hone you in closer to the right fit.
Where do I want to go?
The next question you should always ask yourself is where you intend to utilize your bike. It could be on or off-road, mountain ranges, or even a trip to the beach. Understanding where you intend to ride your bike will help you choose a bike that is appropriate for your surroundings.
How much time/skill would I require to maintain my bike?
Expensive bikes can have expensive running costs; if you receive maximum value from your bike by utilizing its capabilities and potential, this will mitigate the financial implications of high maintenance costs. However, if you don’t plan to explore that much, then a single-speed bike has far fewer moving parts and requires much less maintenance.
What are your short and long-term plans for the bike?
It’s worth thinking about the future when considering what bike to purchase. Making a single sacrifice to buy a more expensive bike will often be cheaper than buying two bikes. If you plan on getting fitter and riding further, it would be best to buy a bike that can handle that. If you want a bike to take to the shops and ride around the neighborhood, you likely won’t need to spend as much.
Setting a Budget/ Getting a deal
Like any financial decision in life, buying a bike without a budget can be a real challenge. When deciding the financial implications of buying a bike, always consider that bike prices generally do not fluctuate that much unlike purchasing a house or property, so deciding to wait a bit longer to save up for the bike of your dream will serve you better in the long term.
Second-hand bikes are also an inexpensive option. Assuming you know what you want, they could also serve as a transition period to meet your short-term goals until you can afford to buy your desired bike.
An essential factor to consider is that the big bike manufacturers tend to reduce their current models after September to get ready for their new launches in the New Year. Deciding to wait for this period might help you catch a good deal.
Choosing a Bike
Once you’ve determined your price range and why you are buying a bike, the real fun begins. Choosing a bike is by no means an easy task; selection of your reason and pricing should have helped you narrow down your options.
But asking experienced people or those who have previously bought bikes is really helpful. Their experience tells you what is good and wrong in any particular type, brand, or cycle. That’s why reading Bike Cycling Reviews is something you can do and is also best.
When selecting a bike, always remember that just because something fits doesn’t mean it’s the correct choice.
Your decision should center between three; a road bike, a Mountain Bike, or a Hybrid bike when starting. We’ll feature the bikes in more depth below:
Road Bike
Road bikes possess narrow tires, stiff light frames, and drop handlebars. They are primarily designed for the single process of quick progression on the roads with minimum effort.
If a road bike was a car, it would be a coupe, with excellent racing potential and easy around corners but do not take off-road!
Notable features include:
- Rigid frames that allow more power transfer
- An extensive range of gear ratios will enable you to spin uphill and move quickly on flat surfaces.
Hybrid Bikes
Hybrid bikes are exactly what their name suggests. They are a combination of Road bikes and Mountain bikes. They take different elements from each to form a more stable but less agile road bike version.
In-vehicle terms, hybrids would be your sedans. They are comfortable and not too shabby off the road but do not attempt to use them in muddy situations.
Notable features include:
- Generally cheaper than road bikes and Mountain Bikes
- Possess capabilities of Mountain and road bikes
Mountain Bikes
Mountain bikes are designed for off-road experience. They have great health benefits and generally have either front, full or wide suspension and some tires with seriously good grip.
In-vehicle terms, your mountain bike would be your off-road 4X4. They possess big tires and fantastic suspensions. Getting stuck in mud is not a worry, but they do not ride as smoothly or quickly as their counterparts on the roads.
Notable features include:
- Lower gearing allows you to get up steep inclines easier.
- Very durable on rough terrain
- Possess motorcycle-style disc brakes, which are effective for stopping in muddy conditions.
Other options include
Electric bikes: Possess an inbuilt motor to give the rider an extra boost, especially during steep inclines.
City bikes: Designed for suburban riding. They usually possess additional accessories such as a basket with rounded handlebars coming round for extra comfort.
BMX- BMX (Bike motor cross): These are smaller bikes designed for off-road racing and stunting.
Conclusion
It is essensial that you are meticulous in your decision before purchasing a bike. Similar to buying a car, you’ll be looking for one easy on the eye but able to serve your intended purpose. Be sure to use the above tips when selecting your bike of choice.