![\"How-to-Choose-the-Right-Bike-for-You.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/10053351\/How-to-Choose-the-Right-Bike-for-You.jpg.jpeg\")
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Purchasing a bike is not a decision that should be taken lightly. With so many bikes on the market, it\u2019s important to know what you\u2019re looking to get out of your investment \u2014 yes, investment, as many who purchase bikes quickly become lovers of cycling and don\u2019t look back. Maybe you want to go for 20-mile rides, or are just looking for a way to cruise down to the grocery store. So which bike is right for you? Here is all you need to know about the different types of bikes, what they can do, and who would want to ride them.<\/p>\n
Best for:<\/b> Long rides on pavement Road bikes are great to ride in a peloton (group of riders) where you will make dynamic moves, but nothing compared to what you would on a mountain bike. Road bikes have a harder seat, which, though uncomfortable at first, is ideal for skeletal support so you can go on long rides without feeling any discomfort. \u201cYou can start with a pad on the seat if you want,\u201d says Sherman, \u201cBut you will eventually want to take it off.\u201d<\/p>\n Our recommendation: Orbea Avant M50D<\/a>; $2,499<\/p>\n Best use:<\/b> Off-road riding on dynamic terrain and single-track trails Mountain bikes have straight bar handlebars that sit higher than drop bars and closer to the rider. The top of the head tube will also be closer to the rider. This allows for a more upright, aggressive sitting position, which lends itself to the dynamic terrain<\/a> these bikes are designed for. \u201cYou don\u2019t need handlebars with different hand positions because you\u2019ll be moving your arms a lot riding over rough terrain, in and out of the saddle,\u201d says Sherman. Mountain bikes can either have front (fork) and rear (shock) suspension, front-only suspension called hard tail, or no suspension at all, which is referred to as rigid and not recommended for beginners. More advanced mountain bikers can create their own balance by standing, sitting or moving forward and back<\/a> on the seat.<\/p>\n Our recommendation: For women: Liv\/giant Tempt 2<\/a>; $1,175, For men: Liv\/giant Talon 27.51<\/a>; $1,380<\/p>\n Best use:<\/b> Beach riding or other quick errands Our recommendation: For men and women: Electra Coaster 3i Gold<\/a>; $480<\/p>\n Best use:<\/b> Riding to and from work, or around town all day You can expect to find fenders and panniers on these bikes, which are designed for carrying a purse, briefcase or other type of bag. “A lot have a complete chain guard as well so your work pants don\u2019t get greasy on your ride to the office,\u201d says Jimenez.<\/p>\n Our recommendation: For women: Schwinn Women\u2019s Network 2.0<\/a>; $290; For men: Schwinn Men’s Network 700C<\/a>; $260<\/p>\n Best use:<\/b> Fun! Our recommendation: Big Shot Bikes Custom Fixie<\/a>; $429<\/p>\n Best use:<\/b> Riding frequently around town, on pavement, paved paths or gravel \u201cRecreational bikes are great for riders who really want to make a commitment to riding, and would rather sit up straight, without having to throw their leg over the top tube,\u201d says Sherman. It\u2019s important to know what you want to do on this bike \u2014 ride on the gravel bike path, or bike through the paved mountain roads. Once you know this, you\u2019ll be able to narrow down the options.<\/p>\n Our recommendation: For women: Cannondale Women’s CAAD10 5 105<\/a>; $1680, For men: Cannondale Men’s CAAD10 5 105<\/a>; $1,680<\/p>\n Best use:<\/strong> Riding fast, by yourself, for long distances Tri bikes in general tend to have more aggressive geometry. The goal is for you to go as fast as you can so many have aero bars to help you remain in the most aerodynamic position for long periods of time. \u201cThis less stable position doesn\u2019t allow you to move around much or react quickly,\u201d says Sherman, \u201cwhich is why it\u2019s great for tris where you\u2019re not allowed to ride in a peloton and [have to] instead ride alone.\u201d Tri bikes also generally have gears and brakes in different places \u2014 the inside handlebars are shifters, and the outside are brakes. The bike\u2019s frame also makes it easier to transition to the run.<\/p>\n Our recommendation: For women: Specialized Alias Comp Tri<\/a>; $3,300, For men: Specialized Shiv Elite<\/a>; $3,200<\/p>\n If you want biking to become a part of your life, it might be time to invest in a bike that\u2019s in line with your goals. While it may be pricey, it will be worth it for the enjoyment of your riding choice. And if you decide you want to try a different riding style, not to worry. \u201cThe cool thing about bikes is that their resale value is great,\u201d says Sherman. \u201cSo if you have a road bike, but get tired of it and want to try mountain biking, you can sell the road bike for a great price.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe first thing you will notice about a road bike is its skinnier tires and lack of tread on them. These tires are referred to as skinny and flicked. Road bikes also have dropped handlebars, which ram-horn-looking style serves a purpose. Generally when on a road bike, you\u2019re riding for long periods of time in a static position, meaning you don\u2019t have to make quick movements or adjustments because you\u2019re on flat pavement. \u201cThe handlebars allow for some movement because of the multiple hand positions they provide,\u201d says Janette Sherman, U.S. marketing manager for Liv\/giant<\/a>. \u201cPlus, the drop itself lends to a more aerodynamic position for you to ride in.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Orbea-Avant-M50D_BC70TTCC_Carbon-blue\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/10053353\/EDITED_Orbea-Avant-M50D_BC70TTCC_Carbon-blue.jpg\")
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2. Mountain Bike<\/b><\/h3>\n
\nMountain bikes are tough. Their wider wheels and treaded tires are made for riding over rocks and roots, and they do well in the mud and water. \u201cThey can also be very versatile,\u201d says Victor Jimenez, specialty bicycle fitter and technical consultant at Bicycle Lab<\/a> and host of Cycling360 Podcast<\/a>. \u201cYou could ride them around town, too, if you wanted to.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Mountain-Bikes\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/10053402\/Mountain-Bikes1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n3. Cruiser Bike<\/b><\/h3>\n
\nLooking at the comfy seat on a cruiser will make you want to sit and stay a while. However, these bikes are not good for long rides. \u201cIf you\u2019re going to ride a mile or so on flat ground, they\u2019re great,\u201d says Jimenez. \u201cBut you wouldn\u2019t want to go any distance in them because of the position you\u2019re in.\u201d Cruisers don\u2019t have much shock-absorption, and while some have multiple gears, most only have one, which means they don\u2019t travel up hills too easily. The head angle of the bike is really relaxed, meaning the handlebars sit closer to the rider, and cruiser handlebars are typically higher and wider than those on a road or mountain bike. Cruiser bikes also tend to be more stylistic, and the brakes common to cruisers are controlled with your feet as opposed to hands. \u201cCruisers are usually an extra bike for a fitness person,\u201d says Jimenez. They are perfect for riding at the beach, or running errands.<\/p>\n![\"CRUISER-Electra-cruiser-gender-mutual-tan\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/10053359\/CRUISER-Electra-cruiser-gender-mutual-tan1.jpg\")
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4. Commuter Bike<\/b><\/h3>\n
\nHybrid, or multi-functional, bikes are popularly used as commuter bikes. The one you choose will have a lot to do with how many miles you\u2019re commuting every day to work, and whether you\u2019re also riding it out at night to the movies or dinner. Commuter bikes tend to have a more relaxed head tube angle, meaning it is closer to the rider so they can sit more upright. The tires are generally thinner than a mountain bike\u2019s, but not as thin as a road bike. These bikes have a lower price point than road bikes, too, for the most part, which hopefully helps ease the fear of it being stolen when you lock it up outside. Many commuter bikes also feature dip brakes, which allow for more stopping power (ideal for parents towing around toddles in a trailer).<\/p>\n![\"Commuter-Bikes\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/10053402\/Commuter-Bikes.jpg\")
<\/p>\n5. Fixie<\/b><\/h3>\n
\nThis bike is definitely not for beginners. Most don\u2019t have a brake on the rear hub like other bikes, meaning that, yes, this bike has no brakes. Its name comes from its makeup of having only one gear, a fixed gear. \u201cThere\u2019s no coasting on this bike because the pedals continue to move,\u201d says Sherman. \u201cYou have to use the force of your body to slow down, especially around corners.\u201d These bikes take a lot more strategy and practice to ride. It isn\u2019t recommended to jump on one for the first time on busy city streets as the lack of brakes may take some getting used to. But when you’re ready, you’ve got options: from buying new to building your own fixed gear bike. \u201cA lot of people convert old racing bikes into fixies to make them custom,\u201d says Jimenez.<\/p>\n![\"Big-Shot-Bikes-Custom-Fixie\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/10053358\/Big-Shot-Bikes-Custom-Fixie1.jpg\")
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6. Recreational Bike<\/b><\/h3>\n
\nIf you enjoy biking a lot frequently \u2014 but not always very far \u2014 on roads or paths in your city, this bike might be the choice for you. Recreational bikes, again, fall into the hybrid category due to their versatility. They generally have a wider, treaded tire, with flat handlebars that allow riders to sit more upright in an aggressive position.<\/p>\n![\"Recreational-Bikes\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/10053400\/Recreational-Bikes.jpg\")
<\/p>\n7. Tri<\/b><\/h3>\n
\n\u201cThese bikes are solely aimed at triathletes<\/a>, and the one you purchase depends on what type of triathlete you are,\u201d says Sherman. Do you do sprint tris every now and then, or are you competing every weekend in different distances? There is a huge price difference based on the different geometry, or construction, of these bikes. However, they all have similar features.<\/p>\n![\"Tri-bikes\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/10053352\/Tri-bikes.jpg\")
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