Purchasing your first real bike is like picking your major in college: it’s about who you are, what you love, and how you want to experience the world. Okay, you can change your bike more easily than your major, and this is not a decision you’ll have to live with for the rest of your life, but you get the point: purchasing your first bike is a big decision that can really change your life!
The Ideal bike, however, isn’t just about specs like shiny carbon frames. It’s more about matching your riding goals with the bike you need, and here, we’ll give you a few tips on how to pick the right bike for your goals.
Want to Go Fast? Get a Road Bike
Are you into sports already? Are you the kind of person who stares at your smart watch even during a walk? Do you love the feeling of wind noise rising past your ears? If you’re an adrenaline seeker who enjoys thrilling things in life, like the games at casino Boomerang, then a road bike is your perfect match.
There are many different types of road bikes, however, so there are many variables you need to consider. For example:
- Endurance road bikes are designed to keep you comfortable on long-distance rides. They’re better suited for more casual riders. Think “chill 100km Sunday ride with friends” rather than “attack every hill like a maniac.”
- Aero road bikes are for people obsessed with slicing through the air at full throttle. You know, the ones who start asking strangers if they’ve “tried marginal gains.” Or those who want to make the most out of every watt of power they produce. If you’re looking at an aero road bike, this is probably not your first bike. And if it is your first road bike and you’re looking at aero bikes just because they look cool, we advise you to reconsider your choice because they’re not suited for beginners.
If you’re new, endurance bikes are often a better place to start. A few extra grams for a lot more comfort is well worth it, and endurance road bikes are, in general, much cheaper than aero bikes.
Love a Little Bit of Everything? Choose a Gravel Bike
Imagine this: misty mornings, quiet forest trails, birds chirping, and a thermos full of hot coffee strapped to the frame of your bike. If that sounds like you, then you need a gravel bike.
Yet, if you want to use your new bike to commute to work or ride with your buddies on weekends, you can do that too. Gravel bikes look a lot like road bikes, but they usually have bigger and more rugged tires and a bit more relaxed geometry. They’re also more forgiving on bumpy roads or forest trails, and can even handle light off-road sections. Their versatility makes them a top choice, especially for beginners getting into cycling..
And, let’s face it, they look cool. You can bond down farm tracks, put on some road bike tires, and use it as a road bike, or maybe even sign up for a gravel race. They’re the Swiss Army knives of cycling.
Looking For an Adventure? You Need a Mountain Bike
Imagine your perfect Saturday morning. Does it involve mud splatters, rooty trails, and several ‘wow, how did I not crash there’ moments? If it does, then you need a mountain bike.
Generally, there are two types of MTBs to consider:
- Hardtail bikes: These only have suspension in the front fork. They’re cheaper, simpler, and better suited for beginners. They’re better for smoother trails.
- Full-suspension MTBs have suspension in both the front and the rear. They’re better suited for trails and bike parks, but they’re also pricier and heavier.
If you’re a beginner, a hardtail is almost always the smarter, simpler, and cheaper choice.
Need a Commuter? Go for a Fixie or Hybrid
If you intend to use your new bike to ride across the city (or commute to work), then your ideal bet is a fixie or a hybrid bike. Sunglasses on, backpack slung casually over one shoulder – welcome to the fixie life.
Fixed-gear bikes, popularly known as ‘fixies’, are simple and light bikes with no gears, and often only one brake. They’re very minimalistic, lightweight, and cheap, making them perfect for flat cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen. If you live in a hilly city like, say, San Francisco, a fixie might not be a good choice.
If you want more practicality, like gears, better brakes, and comfier tires, you might look into hybrid bikes. They blend the Ideal parts of road and mountain bikes, like flat handlebars, good brakes, and varied gearing, making them perfect for commuting or fitness rides.
Pro Tip: Consider a Quality Used Bike First
Here’s a secret from an experienced rider: your first bike doesn’t need to be new. In fact, a used bike is often a much smarter purchase.
Bikes depreciate fast, so if you haven’t figured out exactly what you love, you’re better off purchasing a quality used bike. For example, a $600 used gravel bike with good components will be a much better choice than a $600 brand-new department store bike that weighs much more. Plus, when you inevitably want to upgrade (and you will!), you’ll understand your needs and preferences better.
