Spring is in the air. Warm weather is just around the corner. This is when many people start getting the itch for a new bike. Or perhaps your first bike. But if you are new to the whole road bike thing, what do you do? Shopping
for a new bike can quickly become overwhelming - and expensive. It is easy to get wrapped around the axle (Pardon the Pun) with all the different brands and components and styles. There is so
much information a available on bikes that make it nearly impossible to take it all
in and make a definitive decision. Just like any other piece
of equipment, buying a bike is a very personal decision that requires some serious thought. And unlike running shoes you are not likely
going to have the opportunity to buy and ride a new bike every year so
you have to get it right the first time.
Here are 5 basic tips to help you make the best decision you can.
1. Determine your price point
Just how much are you really willing to spend. This
will likely at least limit your options. Bikes can range in
price from a few hundred dollars to many thousands of dollars. And
there is a sea of options in between. Major price points for bikes are
determined by the model you buy, similar to cars. Different models have each have
their own pros and cons. In general, with the base models you get a
standard aluminum frame. Then you move up to light-weight aluminum. Then
aluminum carbon hybrids - usually the forks are carbon at this level.
Then you move to the all carbon bikes. Each different construction has
its own price level. So determining your price threshold will go a long
way in refining your decision.
2. Determine what options are important to you
You
may not even really know at this point. But think about it anyways.
What do you think you want? As you look around and try things out, you
may find that your perceptions change. That's OK. If you are a novice
that's OK - own it! Admit that you may not know what the heck you are
looking for. Ask questions. Any good salesman or bike store owner will
spend the time answering your questions. In my experience, they like
people asking them for advice. They like sharing their knowledge with a
fresh mind. Chances are they have been riding longer than you and know
more about bikes than you.
3. Get a
fit
At least a basic measurement. Take some
time to get at least a rough measurement for the size of bike you need.
Most reputable bike shops will do this for you. I'm not convinced that
as a beginner you need to go through a full bike fitting. Lots of people recommend getting a full fitting done. and most bike stores
charge for this service. I think it is not necessary to get completely fit for a bike before you really know how you intend to ride. The more ride the more you will start to understand what you really want as far as adjustments and body position. Just get the
general frame size (56, 58...). I say work out the finer details later.
4. Test ride
Ride more than one
bike. Ride more than one brand. Try different component options. You
may find that you don't notice a difference between a Shimano 105 or an
SRAM gear set. Within particular bike models this is what drives the
price. So at this point why pay for an upgrade you see little benefit from. You
may find that you don't notice a difference with shifting components,
but you want upgraded breaks or different pedals. It's your money, spend it where you see fit. You can ask 10 different people what
bike is the best and you will likely get 10 different answers. Picking
a bike is really a personal preference. Try several different models out and see
what you like. Heck you may even discover that at this point you can't even
tell the difference. But at least you know and when you make the final decision you won't be wondering what "what if that Trek was better?"
5. Take your time.
Don't rush. If this is your first bike,
you are probably putting down what feels like a considerable amount of
money for this purchase. You don't want to be on a bike that you end
up not liking. Remember that just because you walked into a store and talked to the salesman for an hour and rode a bike or two, doesn't mean that you have to buy something that day (or from that store for that matter).
Good luck and happy shopping!
