Beginners Guide To Buying a Bike

There is so much information to read on bikes these days that it becomes harder and more overwhelming to buy a bike the further you dig. Bicycles online want to help you on the journey of finding the right bike the first time and with ease. This is our buyer's guide to the range of bikes we stock at bicycles online. 

The first step in buying a bike is to determine where you are going to ride it. The variety of bikes now is so vast that they can be used across multiple genres. It is important to know whether you will be on the bitumen for all of your riding, whether you are going to be adventuring off the beaten path or whether you are looking to push your limits on a bike.

Once you have decided where you want to ride, it is important to realise what you use the bike for. A carbon road bike is going to fly along the road and sealed paths, but the lightweight parts and frame are not built for the rigours of everyday commuting. When going off-road, you may think that you need full suspension MTB, but a gravel bike or hybrid may be better suited. 

It is important to be honest with yourself when determining where and how you will ride your bike because any exaggeration could result in you getting the wrong bike. You have to consider the terrain you will be riding on, whether you will be carrying stuff on the bike, and how far you will be riding. 

For anyone looking to commute, it is best to look at what you are going to carry, what you will wear and how difficult the road will be. For example, if you are taking work clothes, a computer and books, you will want to get that off your back and on the bike. It will be integral to get a bike with rack mounts to hold panniers. If you wear your uniform, you want to have a bike with mudguards to protect your clothes. If you are commuting on rough roads and perhaps unsealed tracks, you don't want a flat bar road bike but a bike that you can ride comfortably and safely.

Flat Bar Road

Flat bar road bikes are lightweight, fast and agile bikes based on their road bike cousins. These bikes are often designed to enhance speed and efficiency over comfort and durability. These bikes are perfect for riders looking to add some zest to their ride.  

The biggest differences between flat bar road bikes and standard road bikes are the bars. The flat bars on these bikes are simpler, provide conventional cockpit controls and offer a more upright riding position. Perfect for smooth roads and those looking to cover more ground fast. 

A more standard urban or commuter bike is heavier, has a relaxed riding attitude and has fatter tires for more comfort. Because the flat bar road bikes have narrower tires and stiffer frames, riders will feel more feedback from the road. If you want more comfort, look at a commuter bike; if you want more speed and agility, look at a performance road bike. 

Hybrid

Hybrid bikes are a mix of a commuter bike, a gravel bike and a mountain bike. They take the benefits of all three styles and throw them into a blender. Comfort, efficiency and durability are the three main ingredients of a hybrid bike. 

Hybrids will have semi slick tires to provide grip on a loose surface and speed on a smooth surface. The front of the bike is tall and you often have ergonomic grips to raise your riding position while providing comfort through your hands. The 60-80mm of travel offers some shock absorption for the unseen pothole you will inevitably hit. Finally, an MTB style frame is strong and has plenty of mountings for rack and barriers. 

While it may resemble a mountain bike, the hybrid is designed for light off-road use and shouldn’t be taken down any trail that gets too crazy. They are more efficient than an MTB and less efficient than a flat bar or commuter. They are the perfect bike for those who ride mixed terrain and use their bike for everyday chores.