Buying a bike is like buying a piece of clothing: It has to fit, it has to say something about who you are, and you have to feel comfortable with it.
You’re probably not working with an unlimited budget, so, fortunately, there are a ton of great places to buy an affordable bike, from the corner bike shop to a bike swap to the internet. But before you get going, it’s worth spending some time to figure out which avenue is the best for you.
Bikes have gotten really strong, really light, and—in terms of quality—relatively inexpensive over the last couple decades. Sure, you can spend $15,000 on the latest and greatest ultralight, uberstrong ride, but you really don’t need to. For one-tenth of that amount (or less) you can purchase a race-ready road or mountain bike with no problem. And you can spend much less if you choose to purchase a used bike.
Do an honest assessment of how much you can spend, and start saving. When you’re making your budget, remember that you’re not just buying a bike. You’re going to need a helmet, lights, a basic tool kit, and maybe a messenger bag or other accessories, too.
When it comes to bikes, you tend to get what you pay for, particularly when you’re buying new. Beware, though, of a deal that seems too good or of new technology that seems too “cutting edge” to be true. Don’t let anybody pressure you into a “deal of a lifetime,” either. Buy what fits your lifestyle and what will work for you, not the coolest brand or what your favorite cyclist rides.
You need a good, reliable bike, so be realistic and aim for an affordable starter model. Down the road you can worry about custom bikes and saving forty grams on a handmade set of carbon-fiber wheels.
No matter what kind of bike you buy or where you get it, you need to take care of it. That means regular maintenance, but it also means keeping it out of harm’s way. Never leave your bike leaning on or lying behind a car. All kinds of great bikes have met their maker way too soon after unwitting drivers have backed up over them. Always leave your bike somewhere visible and, if the area is at all sketchy, locked up, too!
A BIKE’S INGREDIENTS: CARBON, BAMBOO, AND BERYLLIUM
For the first hundred years of the bike’s existence, frames were built from one material: steel. Steel works well. It is durable, can be easily repaired, and gives a comfortable ride. Soon, though, brainiac designers began trying to improve on steel and began experimenting with newer materials like aluminum, carbon fiber, titanium, and even natural products like bamboo.
For your first bike, don’t get suckered into feeling like you need astrophysics-grade high-modulus carbon (but if you find a good deal on a frame made of the stuff, buy it—quick!). Every material has its strengths and weaknesses; here’s a quick run-down on what bike frames are made of and what that means for you, the rider.
Steel
Tried and true, and relatively easy to repair if gets bent. Steel also absorbs road vibration. It’s comfortable and relatively inexpensive.
Aluminum
Lightweight, strong, and relatively inexpensive, but it also fatigues over time and can’t be easily repaired. It’s a bit less comfortable than other materials, as it’s very rigid. Makes a great entry-level bike, though.
Titanium
Extremely light, practically unbreakable, and it flexes a bit so it’s comfortable, but it’s way more expensive than aluminum or steel. Great for travel because it’s tough, corrosion-proof, and comfortable.
Carbon Fiber
Most of the serious innovation in bike technology over the past decade has been in carbon fiber. It’s ridiculously light, extremely strong, and absorbs shock very well. However, it’s expensive to develop, can be damaged when traveling, and it’s probably not the best for decadeslong durability.
Bamboo
No, really. Bamboo’s actually pretty strong, but bamboo bikes are expensive and their long-term durability is still unproven.
Beryllium, AerMet, Composites
These were the rage in the ’90s, but they fell out of favor for a variety of reasons. Avoid these and rare or funky materials like Russian titanium. If it’s way cheaper than the other stuff, chances are it’s no good. Don’t get swindled!
In general, don’t stress out over your frame material. If you buy a new bike by a reputable brand, or a well-maintained used bike, you’ll be fine with steel, aluminum, carbon, or titanium. I’ve ridden all of them, and if I was slower than the competition on any of them, it had zero to do with the bike and everything to do with me! Again, fit, comfort, and reliability should trump frame material for your first bike.
KIDS’ AND WOMEN’S BIKES
Maybe you have an idea of the right material for you, but before you hit the pavement (figuratively speaking), keep in mind that some manufacturers build bikes with slightly different shapes and measurements geared toward women and kids. Once upon a time, women, kids, and smaller riders were left to suffer on bikes sized for average, adult men—no longer!
Women tend to have slightly shorter torsos, longer legs (relative to overall body size), and smaller hands than men do. Thankfully, most big brands design their women’s models with these facts in mind, so the bikes fit better and ride more comfortably than ever.
Kids’ bikes have inherited many of the technological advances of their parents’ bikes, making them lighter (really important for smaller riders—imagine if your bike weighed one-third of your body weight!) and with better handling.
An adult women’s model might be the perfect solution for teenagers, male or female, who might not be fully “adult-sized,” but who may also have outgrown a kids’ bike. Even if you’re a guy, don’t be weird about buying women’s components (like brake levers) or a frame if it works for you. If it fits, you’ll have way more fun on it! And if you’re a woman, then take advantage of modern designs catering to your body and its dimensions.
RIDE BEFORE YOU BUY
Enough with all this talk about materials and frames, let’s get down to actually buying a bike! Before you hand over your life savings to a smooth-talking salesperson, spend some time trying to ride as many bikes as you can. Borrowing from friends and test-riding at shops will give you a sense of what you might like, so that when you finally lay down your cash, it won’t be for the wrong bike.
FINDING A BIKE SHOP YOU CAN TRUST
Bike shops are really important, but good bike shops are what really matter. There really is quite a bit of difference amongst shops these days. Do your homework on the web and ask friends in order to find the best one in your area. It will save you hassle, time, and money. Chances are you’ll meet some cool riders through a good shop, too.
Once you find the right spot, you’ll have a place to get advice and maybe even buy your bike. Having a good shop in your corner tilts the odds in your favor. They’ll tell you if and when they’re having sales, and sometimes shops will even have a message board where cyclists who are selling their bikes can post ads. If you find a used bike, you can take it to the shop and have a good mechanic check it over before you shell out your cash.
A shop should help you through the bike-buying process, even if you find your bike elsewhere. Why? In treating you right, they’ll make a long-term customer out of you. Maybe you’ll buy a helmet or some other equipment there. When something on your new bike needs an adjustment or a repair, you’ll probably be taking your business to your chosen shop. And down the road, you’ll eventually buy another bike, and this time it might just be at the shop that helped you out.
Bike shops operate a bit like car dealerships. Bikes come in before the big riding season (spring through fall), and during the winter leftover inventory usually gets sold at a discount. Ask about end-of-season sales at your shop. Maybe that bike you’ve been eyeing will cost 20 percent less if you wait a few months.
Five Things Every Bike Shop Should Do:
1. Make you feel welcome and comfortable
2. Explain things as thoroughly or as simply as you need them to
3. Listen and help you get what you want and what you need— not just steer you toward some high-priced alternative or upgrade
4. Help you find the perfect fit on your bike—and keep trying if they haven’t got it yet
5. Offer to swap out saddles, stems, and handlebars to get you comfortable
NEW VERSUS USED
You’ve done your homework, you know what you’re looking for, and you’re ready to buy. Fantastic! In just a few days, you’ll be riding off into the future with your friends. If you have the cash, then you’re probably considering something new. That’s great because a new bike offers some considerable advantages, like dialing the fit to your body from day one.
Going used is a great way to save some cash, but you’ll need to do your homework. Any time you get on a used bike, you’re essentially inheriting the original owner’s fit. Sometimes that’s no problem, but it’s rare that someone else’s position fits you perfectly. Make sure a used bike can be fit to your body, rather than contorting your body to fit the bike. If you get close to making a purchase, ask the bike’s current owner if it’s cool to take the bike to a shop to have it checked for soundness, and also to have somebody experienced verify you’ll be able to get comfortable on it.
Whether you buy new or used, hopefully you’ve found the best shop in your area, so that they can help get you set up by changing stems and handlebars and positioning the saddle.
SHOPPING ONLINE
Shopping on the internet is a blessing and a curse. While browsing, you can shop from thousands of people you wouldn’t meet at a bike swap or at a race, so you get a fabulous selection. The flip side, though, is your inability to touch, see, or test ride what you’re buying. As long as you keep this in mind, it’s still possible to shop online—just do it cautiously.
Craigslist, eBay, Amazon, and the Classifieds
It’s a big, crazy world out there online, so start surfing and see what you come up with. Craigslist, eBay, and Amazon are the obvious choices, but you’ll also find a good selection of used bikes on cycling sites like LocalBikeTrader.com or RecycledCycles.net.
Most sellers are willing to send you measurements, so if you see a bike you might like but have questions about its size, you can ask for seat-tube or top-tube lengths. If you have a friend’s or sibling’s bike, then you can measure against it to get a sense of the other bike’s size. Is it longer, shorter, taller? How will that feel in comparison to the bikes you’ve already ridden? These are things to think about before you buy.
Though the internet gives you access to great deals and to bikes in faraway places, it’s risky buying a bike you can’t at least ride up and down the block a few times. Shopping online on a site like Craigslist is probably the best of both worlds, because you can choose to search for sellers close to you. If you find a great deal, you can arrange to test ride the bike and even take it to a shop to have it checked by a mechanic. It’s a much safer approach to buying your first bike than sending off your money and hoping the bike you receive in the mail works out. Plus, if you find a local seller on Craigslist, then you’ll be able to avoid shipping costs, too (which can be substantial).
Internet Scams
And as long as we’re talking about cautious shopping, it’s worth pointing out that there are always scammers out there. Don’t feel obligated to follow through with a deal if something doesn’t feel right. If you’re underage, never give somebody your personal information without letting your parents know you’re shopping online. Don’t arrange a visit—to your house or a seller’s—without going with someone else, or at least telling somebody where you’re headed. And while you’re at it, don’t agree to meet at night. Because who sells bikes at night, anyway?
Bike Swaps
Bike swaps, in addition to being great get-togethers for cyclists, offer deals on everything from kids’ bikes to race-ready time trial bikes. Swaps are worth visiting because you can check out different models in person, bring friends who can help you evaluate gear, and talk to sellers.
Check with local colleges and universities, bike clubs, and on the internet for events. Ask at your local shop, too.
“BOX” STORES
Big “box” stores like Walmart and Target sell a ton of bikes for cheap. Beware, though, because at outlets like these you won’t get knowledgeable help, and rock-bottom prices often indicate lower quality. The bikes are often assembled by well-meaning, but inexperienced staff, which can result in poor performance.
AT THE RACES
Occasionally, event organizers will have an “expo area” at bike races, where you’ll find people selling old gear. Obviously most of the stuff will be oriented toward racing, but if that’s your thing, then you’re in luck.
Keep in mind that racers are very hard on their gear, but if something looks well maintained it’s probably all right to buy. You can ask racers, too; most of them are pretty cool and will give you accurate info about how long they’ve used something or what condition it’s in. Just ask.
Between the internet, bike swaps, and your local bike shops, you’ve got a lot of options. It’s probably a good idea to read Chapter 5 on bike fit before you lay down any money. This will help you make an informed choice and get a bike that fits, is comfortable, and works for you.
The International Gold Standard: Doug Emerson and University Bicycles
by Doug Emerson
Choosing a bike shop is like deciding on which dentist or plumber to use. Trust is the main key to the relationship. A simple test to determine the reliability of a bike shop is to ask different employees the same question, such as, “What size bike do you think I need?” You should hear the same answer from each employee. Information should also be consistent from day to day. Getting a different answer on Monday than you heard on Friday is a red flag.
If you are shopping for a new bike, try to check out two or three shops before you buy. You’ll probably own your bike for the next ten years, so it’s nice to feel comfortable and welcome at the store as many bike shops offer free adjustments for as long as you own your bike. Be sure to ask exactly what “free adjustments” means, and get the full details of the program. “Do I have to make an appointment, or can I just come in for spot adjustments?” (Spontaneous drop-ins should be welcomed.) “Does it include flat-tire repair?” (Probably not.)
Ultimately, you should feel comfortable asking questions, without being made to feel like you’re a moron. The best bike shop staff is one that can answer the same question all day long with a smile. There should be no question too simple to answer. (Be aware that bike mechanics are generally a surly bunch, but they tend to cheer up when offered cookies.) When you find a shop with the right vibe, one that you can recommend to your friends, then you’re home. Cycling is fun. Pick a fun shop.
Finally, if you are within a hundred miles of University Bicycles in Boulder, I urge you to go there. It is the international gold standard of bike shops.