How to choose a bike

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Choosing a bike is like choosing clothes. First you need to decide on the model and material, and then choose the size and accessories.

1. Determine where you will ride

There are a huge number of types of bicycles today. But determining which type is right for you is not difficult. Answer the question: where do you want to ride?

In the city

For a relaxed everyday ride on asphalt bike paths and dense soil in parks, a city bike is suitable.

Peculiarities:

• straight fit - like on a chair;
• simple construction;
• high steering wheel;
• comfortable large saddle;
• one or a small (from three) number of gears;
• low or no frame (so that you can ride without problems in everyday clothes);
• a set of mudguards;
• a cover that covers the chain so that clothes do not get into it;
• lack of a suspension fork;
• large wheels;
• tires with a smooth tread, giving good rolling - the ability of the bike to roll without pedaling.

Varieties:

The cruiser has an original (often retro) design, rolling wide wheels and a massive frame, which makes it quite heavy

Foldable - such a bike folds the frame, handlebars and sometimes even pedals. Fits easily in the trunk of a car, can be transported on public transport

Comfort - has a multi-speed transmission system and often a front shock absorber (such bicycles are called comfortable hybrids). Thanks to this, it is convenient to ride it, in particular, on unpaved paths in parks

What to buy

• Pink cruiser Stels Navigator 110, 12 160 rubles →
• Folding bike Stern Compact 24 ″, 17 999 rubles →
• City bike Trek Dual Sport 3 700C, 55 999 rubles →

Off-road

If you want to ride on up and down terrain, as well as on asphalt, choose a mountain bike. However, professionals still do not advise driving it around the city. Due to the fact that the tires of a mountain bike are thick and "toothy", it will be more difficult to ride on asphalt than on a city bike or a hybrid.

Peculiarities:

• sports landing (leaning forward);
• aggressive frame design;
• straight steering wheel;
• wide tires with off-road "mud" tread;
• a large number of speeds for a comfortable ride in places with a large height difference;
• lack of fenders as standard;
• the presence of shock absorbers: only the front (this type is called a hardtail) or front and rear (full suspension).

The double suspensions have a heavier frame, they are good for extreme riding and are suitable for those who are engaged in downhilling (racing on a downhill track with steep descents and turns) or freeriding (driving on tracks with difficult obstacles). In other cases, you can stop at lighter hardtails.

Full suspension / commons.wikimedia.org

Hardtail / commons.wikimedia.org

What to buy

• Mountain bike-full suspension Stinger Banzai 26 16 ″, 14 150 rubles →
• Mountain bike-hardtail FORWARD Next 29 2.0 Disc 17 ″, 21 735 rubles →
• Mountain bike-hardtail Stern First 26 ″, 8 999 rubles →
• Mountain bike-full suspension Trek Marlin 5 29 ″, 37 999 rubles →

On long journeys

For long cycling trips with tents, sleeping bags, and so on, a touring bike is suitable. Basically, it is a hybrid of a road, city and mountain bike, designed to carry cargo.

commons.wikimedia.org

Peculiarities:

• comfortable fit in which you can spend a long time;
• a ram steering wheel (it relieves the back) or a butterfly steering wheel (allows your hands not to flow);
• sturdy frame with special holes and brackets for attaching front and rear racks, hinged holders for bags and flasks;
• reinforced wheels (with 36 spokes versus 32 standard ones) with wide tires;
• transmission with a large number of speeds;
• fenders and mudguards;
• powerful rim brakes;
• Pleasantly long wheelbase (this is the distance from the front axle to the rear axle) for a comfortable ride.

On smooth asphalt over long distances

In this case, you can choose a road bike. It is designed for very fast driving on good asphalt. These bicycles are also used for cycling, cycling marathons and other competitions, as well as personal training to improve physical fitness.

Peculiarities:

• maximum aerodynamic landing (almost horizontal);
• light weight;
• lightweight frame (usually made of carbon);
• sports saddle;
• lack of shock absorbers (for rigidity and stability on the road);
• lack of fenders, trunks, bells and other accessories (so as not to weigh down the bike);
• hard wheels with narrow tires and smooth tread;
• steering wheel bent down;
• transmission system with a predominance of high speeds.

Varieties:

Fitness road bike - with a shortened frame, which gives a higher fit

Cyclocross - with a low and short frame, wider tires and aggressive tread, which makes it possible to ride on the ground

Track, triathlon - for riding cycle tracks and participating in triathlon. These bicycles have a short chain, a very low position (the saddle is above the handlebars), a fixed gear. Often there are no brakes on them: to stop, the cyclist sharply squeezes the pedals - the wheel is blocked and goes into a skid

In addition, electric bicycles are gaining more and more popularity - they are equipped with an electric motor that runs on a battery. You can ride them in three modes: as on a regular bike, partly due to the engine (for example, uphill - you pedal, and the engine facilitates movement) and only on the engine. The battery can be charged at home from a wall outlet.

What to buy

• Road bike STELS XT 280, 32 420 rubles →
• Cyclocross Format 5221, 52 900 rubles →
• Road bike CUBE Attain Race, 84 499 rubles →
• Electric bike HOVERBOT CB-9 Genus, 56 169 rubles →

2. Select frame material

The choice of frame is influenced by the type of bike and your financial capabilities.

Steel

Suitable for touring bikes.

• Pros: cheapness, strength, long service life, does not accumulate "fatigue" (obsolete metal rusts and becomes covered with cracks), dampens vibrations well.
• Cons: heavy weight.

Varieties of steel frames:

• Hi-Ten is the cheapest steel, heavy, not having good roll.
• Cro-Mo - chromium-molybdenum alloys, lighter, but more expensive. This steel can be used to make frames with variable tube thicknesses (butted): in this case, the bike becomes lighter and stronger.

What to buy

Mountain bike with a steel frame STELS Navigator 500, 12 840 rubles →

Aluminum

Suitable for most types of bicycles. It is considered the best in terms of value for money.

• Pros: lighter than steel, sufficient rigidity, no corrosion, faster acceleration.
• Cons: does not dampen vibrations, shorter lifespan than steel, accumulation of "fatigue" (the frame can suddenly burst after 10-15 years), less rolling than a steel frame.

Various aluminum alloys are used in the manufacture of bicycles. The most common is 7005 (with added zinc), the more expensive is 6061 (with magnesium). The higher the alloy number, the cheaper it is. Also, aluminum frames are made with butting.

What to buy

Bicycle with an aluminum frame STELS Pilot 950 MD, 17 480 rubles →

Carbon (carbon fiber)

It is used for advanced bicycles and is suitable for road bikes and mountain bikes (but without extreme rides with very heavy load on the frame).

• Pros: lighter than aluminum, good vibration damping, excellent handling, fast acceleration.
• Cons: high cost, relative fragility (the quality of the frame depends on the manufacturer, used resins and paintwork), fear of pinpoint impacts, poor protection against chips and scratches. Due to its fragility, it is not recommended to install a roof rack on a carbon frame.

What to buy

Road bike with a carbon frame Trek Domane SL 4 700C, 199 999 rubles →

Titanium

This material is quite rare, it came from the aerospace field. Used exclusively for making professional bicycles.

• Pros: lightness, hardness, corrosion resistance, durability, good vibration damping.
• Cons: high cost due to complex welding technologies - titanium alloys are difficult to machine.

3. Choose the size

Select bicycles based on height and weight. Frame size is the height of the seat tube (the distance from the carriage axis - the place where the pedals are attached to the intersection of the end of the seat tube with the seat post, where the height of the saddle is fixed).

• For a height of 135-155 cm, a 14-inch frame is suitable;
• 150-165 cm - 16-inch;
• 165-175 cm - 18-inch;
• 175-185 cm - 20-inch;
• 185-195 cm - 22-inch;
• 195 cm and up - 24 ''

If your weight is over 110 kilograms, choose mountain or touring bikes with a sturdy frame, wheels with reinforced rims and disc brakes designed for high loads. If you have long legs, you will most likely fit a bike that is larger than the size calculated.

Most manufacturers today produce unisex bikes. But there are still differences between female models. It:

• lowered frame tube (this option is also suitable for older people - it will be easier to get on the bike);
• shorter and wider rear seat;
• shorter bike length;
• the maximum frame size is 18 inches.

Girls taller than 175 cm will have to pick up a men's bike.

Important: Folding bikes are generally versatile. They have one size: for height from 145 to 185 cm.

4. Decide on a body kit

The body kit is front and rear derailleurs, chain, brake levers and brakes, stars, cassette, shifters (speed switches). The most common systems are made by the American company Sram and the Japanese company Shimano.

Both companies have a gradation of body kits:

• Amateur beginner, city and hard terrain riding: Shimano Tourney, Shimano Altus, Sram ESP 3.0
• Amateur grade suitable for longer rides: Shimano Acera, Sram ESP 4.0
• The "borderline" level between amateur and professional equipment: Shimano Alivio, Sram ESP 5.0
• Entry-level sports equipment: Shimano Deore, Sram ESP 7.0.
• High-quality equipment for those who ride long distances or are engaged in cycling, with an optimal combination of price and quality: Shimano Hone, Shimano Deore LX, Sram ESP 9.0.
• Top-tier body kit: Shimano Deore XT, Shimano Saint, Shimano XTR, Sram ESP X.0.

What is the difference? Professional equipment is reliable, does not require adjustment, is made using composite materials (which makes the body kit easier), and can withstand enormous loads. Amateur equipment is not designed for extreme sports and will most likely require tuning.

What to choose? If you are a beginner, do not plan long trips and will not participate in competitions, choose the beginner and amateur level. For long trips and extreme rides, a more reliable body kit is suitable. Athletes choose expensive top-end options.

5. Complete with the necessary

What can and should be added to the bike?

• Lights - red taillights and front lights. They are needed in order to drive in the dark.
• Flask and holder for it. On bike rides, even small ones, you should definitely drink.
• Cycling computer (it can be replaced by a special application for a smartphone).
• Mudguards - for mud protection if you plan to ride in bad weather or off-road.
• Repair kit, pump, spare chamber (they can be folded into a bicycle bag, which is attached to the frame, or into a backpack).

And don't forget about the bike helmet: it will protect you from injury while traveling.