Buying Your First Bike on a Budget.

While buying your first bike is fun and exciting, it is also something you need to do research on and know what you're getting into. If you are just getting into the sport it would be good to go to your local bike shop and test ride some bikes. You need to know your size and what type of bike will best suit your needs. Getting the correct size bike is one of the most important aspects of buying a bike. Below are some tips on buying your first bike.

1. What type of bike?
You need to know what type of bike will fit the conditions your going to ride through. Kind of simple if I generalize it. If you're planning only to ride on pavement a road bike is for you. If you like the road bike feel but will do light off-roading a cycle cross bike is right up your path. All dirt but like distance, there are several cross country bikes from hardtail to full suspension to choose from. Like tearing up mountains and dropping gaps, a full suspension bike with 4 inches of travel and up will take you there.

2. How do I know the correct size?

Image courtesy of Specialized

It's all about the fit! If the bike is too big or too small it will take all the joy out of biking for you. I could also make this whole posting about sizing but I will give the best generalization I can. For most riders, the first step in getting the right size bike is to stand over the frame with both feet flat on the ground. A properly-sized road bike frame will give at least an inch or two clearance between the top tube of the frame and your crotch. Not too much, not too little. A mountain bike should have more space - maybe the width of your hand across your fingers. If you are still uneasy about sizing up your own bike, run by your local bike shop and get fitted for the correct size bike. It is also nice because you can test out a couple of bikes and get a good "feel" for what type of bike you're going to be getting. On women's bikes that do not have the high top tube going between the seat and the handlebars, you can skip this step.


3.How Much, Where, and When?
Assuming you have your type of bike picked out. You know the exact size frame you need and what you're comfortable with because you got to test ride a similar bike in your correct size. You will now be ready to purchase the correct size bike. Where do I buy it, how much do I spend? I would first set a budget on how much you can comfortably spend on a new bike. You will also need a budget for your cycling accessories, (helmet, seat bag, tubes, pump, or patch kit), so include this as well. So now you can look at new, used, online, or a local bike shop. Most expensive will be a bike shop but you will hopefully get customer service, the correct size, and free small tunings and repair for life in some cases. If you know your exact fit and size and you also know the exact bike your heart is set on, online will most likely be your best way to get the best deal. There is so little difference from brand to brand at similar prices until you are well over $1000 that the bike hardly matters. You are mainly going to be shopping for bike components if spending under $1000. Shopping for used bikes will definitely save you the most money in the long run but is the hardest to shop for if you're a beginner. You do not want to buy a frame that has been crashed or blemished. Buying used is best done with an experienced rider as they have knowledge of old or new components, faulty parts, and can help judge if this is the best fit for you and not a money pit.

As this is very general and I can go into tons of detail in every aspect, this is a good rule of thumb when purchasing your first bike.

Good luck on your purchase and happy riding!