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!

Are you a 26er or a 29er?

With the widespread adoption of the 29er mountain bike in manufacturing and the mountain bike community, the growing debate of 29er vs. traditional 26″ mountain bikes is getting hot amongst riding groups.  If you are looking to upgrade your current mountain bike or get into the sport, your options are wider than ever which is a good thing for the sport but can be confusing when looking to purchase a new rig.

Sette's 29er Hardtail Vs. 26er Dual Suspension

29 inch mountain bikes are not going to revolutionize mountain biking the way suspension forks did, however they do have their advantages and some people will swear by them.  When it comes to choosing the right size mountain bike forget about the size of the frame or your crank length and saddle height.  The first thing you need to decide is: are you a 26er or a 29er?

The 29 inch mountain bike ride is different than a 26 incher.

Riding with bigger wheels will roll over and absorb small bumps and holes easier in the trail.  The downside?  Weight!  You will never be able to build wheels on 29er mountain bikes as light as 26 inch wheels.  And that extra weight is rotating mass so it counts double.

A 29 inch hardtail mountain bike is actually very similar to a dual suspension 26" XC bike.  Both have extra weight and slow steering and are designed for similar situations.  So which is best?

Both types of bikes are actually very good at trail riding.  A dual suspension 26” XC bike will take the 29er on rougher descents and descents with tight turns but you will find a 29er to be more stable and confident in technical situations.  This is due to its rigid frame, wheels that easily roll over small obstacles and a lower center of gravity.  A dually on the other hand will hang-up on rocks, its suspension will absorb valuable momentum and it will generally lurch around.

   “The ride is like having the snappy, lightweight responsiveness of a hardtail, but with better traction, handling, braking, etc.  Twenty nine inch wheels really do smooth out the ride and roll over a lot of chatter.  “   -  Sette Razzo XX Carbon 29er Review- Part one (initial impressions)

   “It loves to be sprinted out of corners, and maintains it’s speed easily. “ - Sette Razzo XX Carbon 29er Review- Part one (initial impressions)

 

So does the 29er win the contest because it can match the performance of a more expensive and advanced dually, or does tunable suspension make the 26er more versatile and the winner?  Only you can answer that.  Here is an article that was well written by an unsolicited and independent rider about the Sette Razzo Carbon XX 29er bike.

While the 29er keeps growing its popularity and fights against its rival the 26er, we know they will both be here for years to come.

Where can I get a 29er?

Checkout the new Sette Razzo 10S 29er bikes here.