Want to Buy a Bike?

As our nation continues to expand and enhance its bike paths, it seems almost foolish not to acquire some sort of alternative transportation. You could just slap on a pair of skates, but chances are you’ll want to find some two-wheeled form of transport sooner or later, so why not consider your options and shell out a few bucks (or more) now. There are times when the traffic gets so heavy that it’s actually faster to take the bike path to your destination!

Most metro areas have a plethora of bicycle shops with huge and ever-changing inventories. Of course, if you’re confident in your choice, you can always look online for sales, but generally I’d stick with heading out to a shop to test out the bikes firsthand before you drop the cash for a purchase. Bike shops have trained salespeople and mechanics who can help you find the right bike, and after you purchase it, they can help maintain and repair your bike. Most bike shops will also give you free tune-ups and/or adjustments with your bike purchase. You can’t get service like that from an online store. We’re talking about hundreds (or thousands, if you’re a serious biker) of dollars here, so you’ll want to invest your money wisely.)

Wondering what kind of bike would suit your lifestyle and needs best? Read on to narrow your selection, and then head for the nearest bike store!

Option #1: The Cruiser. Price range: $200-550. Best for: Cruising around town in your shades, looking cool and laid back. This line of bikes offers a stylish, retro look with modern comfort and convenience. Boulder, Colorado-based Schwinn, one of the main manufacturers of cruiser-type bikes, fashions their line of cruisers after classic designs from the 40s and 50s. Buy one for your honey and you can take romantic, easy spins on the bike paths together after work. Cruisers tend to be heavy and slow, so part of the price you pay is for the inherent coolness factor of the bike!

Option #2: The Comfort/Hybrid. Price range: $150-$700. Best for: City and campus riding with an attitude. These bikes are built for comfort and convenience in the city or on paved bike paths. At the upper end, you can find rides that have front and rear suspension, cushy saddles and multiple gears. The lower end will buy you a bike that will still look cool, but may only feature one speed and no fancy suspension systems. These bikes are lighter and faster than cruisers, making them a more sensible choice for daily commuting.

Option #3: The Road Bike. Price range: $500-$4,000+ Best for: People who want to spend many miles pushing the pedals and exploring paved roads all over the country. If you simply want easy city transportation, skip spending the money on a road bike – especially at the higher end. You don’t want to come back from work or shopping and find your slick new toy stolen! That being said, paved roads are perfect for long, meditative spins with gorgeous scenery, or for those who dig riding up plenty of challenging hills – and coasting down.

Option #4: The Mountain Bike. Price range: $400-$4,000+ Best for: Those interested in checking out trails. Don’t drop a huge wad of cash on a super-nice mountain bike unless you plan to never ride it around town – you might as well put a sign on it saying, “steal me!” That being said, if you are interested in honing your skills on singletrack, make sure you spend a decent amount (i.e. at least $750 or so) on your bike – you will get what you pay for! Though mountain bikers certainly deal with a number of access issues, plenty of fun and challenging trails and back roads await exploration.

Look into service plans at local shops, and also be aware of price comparisons – sometimes you can save a significant amount of money if you shop around. If you really don’t care (or don’t want to care) about what kind of a bike you buy, you can likely pick up a cheap set of used wheels from the classified ads or even at local bike shops. Whichever option you decide to go with, you should make sure that you purchase a sturdy bike lock along with it, and always lock up your bike!