How to buy a bike: Step 1
By Brian Fiske, Bicycling.com
While purchasing a bike is less daunting than, say, buying a new car, it's still a sizeable investment, and you'll have to live with the results of your purchase. But spending a little extra time to get just the right bike will inspire you to ride even more than you thought you would--a worthy reason if ever there was one. Here's all you need to know to be a savvy bike shopper.Step 1: BEFORE YOU GO
Sketch yourself. Grab a pencil, paper and some brutal honesty. Now make two lists. The first is an inventory of your current status as a cyclist or, for first-timers, your fitness level: how competitive you are, how much time you spend riding (or working out) each week, your highest acheivements on a bike. How will you use the bike? On the roads, trails or a little of both? The second is your ultimate vision of yourself as a cyclist: completing multiple charity rides each year, kicking butt on the local race circuit, riding to work every day, and so on. Then, imagine a rider who fits between the two--the bike that's right for that middle-ground you is the minimum you should purchase. Buy below that level, and you won't have enough room to grow.
Get on the horn. Look up the bike shops closest to you. Convenience isn't the deciding factor when choosing a shop, but the ideal shop is one that's easy to reach. Then call at least two or three of them. Note what brands the shop carries. Ask whether the shop specializes in a particular bike style--if you're looking for a road bike and the shop carries mostly mountain bikes, it's probably not a good fit. Also, ask what kind of service plan the shop offers on a new bike purchase; a year of free tune-ups is a good starting point.
Click and read. Hit the websites of your chosen brands, which tend to be organized so that it's easy to find the bikes that match your intended riding style. Or go to Bicycling.com and check out reviews, fitting procedures and lists of what is out there. Study frame materials, components (wheels, derailleurs and cranks in particular--you can spot them right away on the bikes at the shop) and price, if it's listed. A model line will often have the same frame, with more expensive wheels and parts as the bike prices go up. Frames last longer than components, so we generally recommend investing in a higher-quality frame worthy of parts upgrades later, if need be.
Tap the locals. Ask your cyclist friends what they like and don't like about their current bikes; you can judge by their riding style whether you should have the same concerns. Also, ask for opinions on local shops or the bike models you found on the Internet. If you don't know many cyclists, e-mail a local cycling club. Bonus: You'll have people to ride with when you have your new bike.
Step 2: Tomorrow
