The first steps in choosing a bike is to identify what kind of cycling you want to do and how frequently you want to ride the bike.
There are 4 main types of bike; road bikes with drop down handlebars and skinny tyres for road use, mountain bikes with big knobbly tyres for off roading, the hybrid which is a blend of both road and mountain bike and folding bikes, which are ideal for city and around the busy streets.
Your question has to be then 'Will I be riding on the road, off the road or a bit of both?'
Road Bikes (Below), Mountain, Hybrid Bikes and Folding Bikes
Road Bikes: Drop handlebar bikes as seen on the Tour de France are fast and exciting. The position of the rider is lower and more aerodynamic than of a mountain bike. These bikes are designed to handle smoothly, climb and accelerate rapidly and to corner fast.
Even within the category of road bike there are subtle variations. The touring bike is designed for load carrying and all day comfort. If you want to enjoy cycling holidays and all day epics this may well be the bike for you. Touring bikes are often fitted with low gear ratios to cope with carrying weight.
Race bikes are exactly that. Designed for the thrill of speed the position is slightly more stretched than the one a rider assumes on a touring bike. There are no mounts for racks.
Race bikes are as light as possible for climbing and super stiff so that the maximum amount of rider power is transferred to the wheels.
Now your sure of what sort of bike, how big should you get, what frame size and what size wheels? Click here for details and a guide. Also click here for an age guide.
