Babes on Bikes Part 1: Buying New

Bike riding makes you healthy. It’s green. It saves time. It makes you feel good and gives you the energy to do more in life. Are you interested in riding but don’t know where to begin? Did your last bicycle have four wheels and Strawberry Shortcake patterning? Don’t worry! Over the next few weeks we will be covering all the info you need to get on the road with confidence. In the mean time, check out these great tips on purchasing a new bicycle from the National Bike Dealers Association.

1. First determine why you want to ride? Where do you want to ride? How frequently do you plan to ride? The more you know what you want, the easier it will be to work with your local bike store to select a bicycle which will best suit your needs. Visit NBDA’s online dealer finder to find a professional bicycle retailer near you, or check out our fav women owned companies: Uptown in Chicago, Sweetpea out of Portland, and Bike Station Aptos in Santa Cruz.

2. Next, determine what type of bike is best for you. Bike shops typically stock the following:

• Road bikes. These are meant for pavement riding, and are built for speed. They have narrower tires and drop bars for a more aerodynamic position.

• Hybrid bikes. These are a cross between mountain bikes and road bikes, for the rider who wants to do a little of everything. Hybrids generally have treaded tires (which are narrower than mountain bike tires), flat bars, and higher gearing than mountain bikes. They’re not quite as fast as road bikes on pavement, and not quite as rugged as mountain bikes on the road. They’re good for commuting, and offer a compromise which appeals to a lot of people.

• Cruisers. One-speed or multi-speed, cruisers are for the casual rider who wants to, well, cruise.

• Comfort bikes. These are specialized mountain bikes or hybrids with more upright riding positions, softer saddles and lower gearing. They’re built for, as the name implies, comfort, but are also designed to perform well.

• Recumbents/tandems/electric assist bikes. There are numerous “niche” bicycles available today. Recumbents allow people to ride in a “recliner-chair” position with feet forward. Tandems allow two riders on a bike. Also, a number of companies are offering bicycles with electric-assist motors.

3. Buy what you like. Feel good about what you’re buying, how it looks, how it rides. Ask to take a test ride to compare bikes. If you’re in doubt, buy the slightly “better” bike. There’s a lot of value in bicycles these days, and a little more money spent can equal significantly improved performance and resale value.

4. Ask the bike store for advice on things you may not understand, such as quick-release operation, shifting, braking, maintenance, etc. If you want to find other local cyclists in your area to ride with, ask the shop for reference to clubs or organized rides. Be sure to receive an owner’s manual with the bicycle, and read it.

5. Ask for advice on other equipment you may need or want. Buy a helmet first, and wear it!