Choosing A Bike You Will Love To Ride


How To Choose A Bike
I am often asked, mostly by people who have never ridden a bike before, how to choose a bike. While there is no simple answer to this question, there are some basic things to keep in mind. The first consideration is function, the second consideration is fit. Price is also something to consider, but with bikes, you often get what you pay for, within reason: a good bike will cost more, but will be made of better materials, work better, last longer and hold it's value longer. If you buy a good bike, even used, you may not need to buy another bike again unless your needs change.
Bike Function (what a bike does)
Mountain Bike
A large number of the bikes in Calgary are mountain bikes, or based on a mountain bike style. This is what most people will visualize when they think of a bike. In short, though there's some variations, a mountain bike has a "basic" shape, handlebars are typically at or below the seat when properly adjusted, and it has wide but not fat tires for traction on dirt, gravel and other uneven terrain. There may be suspension elements on the rear wheel which can make a mountain bike look very different from other types of bikes: rear suspension is not necessary for most urban cyclists and may make learning how to ride a bike more challenging for those who have never ridden before.
Road Bike
Cruiser
Hybrid
Other Bikes
Bike Fit
Some key aspects of bikes are universal: it truly doesn't matter whether you have a high-end road bike or a bargain-store cruiser for most aspects of fit.
Basic Fitting Rules
Stand Over Height
Stand over height is exactly what it sounds like: the height of the bike when you are standing over it, with the bike upright between your legs. Necessary to check only on bikes that have a horizontal (or near horizontal) frame tube between the seat and the handlebars, there should be sufficient room to stand with your feet flat on the ground and at least 2 finger-widths of vertical space between your crotch and the frame of the bike.
On bikes that have a sloped top frame tube, including low step-over bikes, this fit element is irrelevant.
On bikes that have a sloped top frame tube, including low step-over bikes, this fit element is irrelevant.
Frame Length
Seat Height
Other Considerations
There are many other things to consider when buying a bike, and I can't discuss them all. You may want to consider:
- weight of the bike, especially for transporting by auto
- frame materials: durability, ease of maintenance, etc
- shape of the frame, especially if you have hip challenges
- option to add accessories, including a kick stand, rear rack and/or basket if desired
- cost of a new bike, but buying used can be concerning
- colour of the frame.
Children's Bikes
Buying a bike for a child presents other challenges as children may outgrow their bike every year or experience a mid-season growth spurt. Unless you want to spend a large amount of money, there aren't many options for type of bikes (function) for children either, which is fine unless your child is competing. It is, however, critically important that a child's bike is an appropriate size for safety: a bike is too big for a young child if they are unable to sit on the seat and have both feet touch the ground at the same time; a bike is too small if a child is unable to turn the handlebar without hitting their knees with it. A child who develops a sore back while riding is probably riding a bike that's too small.
In Conclusion
Finding the right bike for you or your child's cycling desires can be challenging, but the rewards are worth it. Compared to a bike that doesn't fit well, finding the right size bike will mean you can ride for more time and cover longer distances without causing damage to your knees, back, wrists or neck. Finding a bike that's designed for where and how you want to ride will mean you're not fighting your bike, struggling up hills that would be easy on a different bike, or having crashes that hurt you or your bike because it's not suited to the conditions. Buying a good quality bike helps to reduce frustrations with gears that don't change smoothly, brakes that don't work well, or bikes so heavy you can't get it in your car. In short, you will ride more, be safer and enjoy your rides more, if you get a good quality, right size bike for the right purpose for you.
Bikes must also be maintained in order to function properly and be safe. Feel free to explore our maintenance page for more information on keeping your bike in excellent condition.
If you have any questions, or are unsure what kind of bike would be best for you, feel free to get in touch! I have a much more detailed information document that I will send to you and can even make some suggestions on bikes to consider.
- Melissa Malejko, Owner of Safer Cycling Calgary
Bikes must also be maintained in order to function properly and be safe. Feel free to explore our maintenance page for more information on keeping your bike in excellent condition.
If you have any questions, or are unsure what kind of bike would be best for you, feel free to get in touch! I have a much more detailed information document that I will send to you and can even make some suggestions on bikes to consider.
- Melissa Malejko, Owner of Safer Cycling Calgary
Important Dates
Apr 18: Cut off for Intermediate (adult) & Advanced course starting Apr 25.
May 6: Expected start date for First Time courses.
Jun 2-4: CIAC Instructors course hosted by SCC.
Jun 19: Application deadline for Week 1 Intermediate day camp (July 3-7).
May 6: Expected start date for First Time courses.
Jun 2-4: CIAC Instructors course hosted by SCC.
Jun 19: Application deadline for Week 1 Intermediate day camp (July 3-7).
Summer Camp!
Do you have a 9-15 year old whose time you need to fill during the summer?
Do you worry about your child's safety when they're riding their bike?
Are you unsure how to teach your child how to use their bike for transportation?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, we can help! We offer a 5 day summer camp for youth to learn how to ride their bike for transportation and recreation in order to safely ride to school, friend's homes, parks, restaurants and more!
Do you worry about your child's safety when they're riding their bike?
Are you unsure how to teach your child how to use their bike for transportation?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, we can help! We offer a 5 day summer camp for youth to learn how to ride their bike for transportation and recreation in order to safely ride to school, friend's homes, parks, restaurants and more!