During the pandemic, cycling emerged as an emerging health and fitness habit in India, and after that, too. Now that cycling has become a fun habit, people ride bikes every single day—kids, adults, young and old. Buying your first bike can be an exciting step as cycling has lots of health benefits, and it can help you maintain social distance while commuting. It is also a great way to stay fit.
I know that as a beginner, you have thousands of thoughts in your mind, like how to start cycling and where to start. But wait, without a bicycle, how will you start your cycling journey? To start your cycling journey, you first need a bicycle. Now don’t be confused about how I will buy a bicycle; I don’t have any knowledge of bicycles or what type of bicycle I should buy. We are here to solve your problem. Beginner’s bicycle buying guide is here to help. Before buying a bicycle, you must know a few things. In this blog, we have carefully listed some things that one must look out for before buying a bicycle.
The objective of buying
Best beginner bicycles come in many different variants and models. All bicycles are not the same; different bicycles serve different purposes. It also depends on where you are riding and what your cycling purpose is.
Do you know there are various types of cycles, like mountain bikes, road cycles, e-cycles, hybrid cycles, etc.? So how to choose a bicycle for beginners depends on what kind of cycling you are going to do. To help you out, all the needed information is given below:
Mountain Bikes
If you want a bike that can go over hilly terrain, an MTB bike is for you. Mountain bikes are the best choice for Indian roads and terrain. Although they are built for off-roading or riding on challenging terrain, they may be used for regular commuting on normal highways. It is comfortable because of its suspension system and wider tyres.
A suspension system and a flat handlebar are standard features of mountain bikes. They are comfortable and easy to ride up steep inclines since they have a reduced gear ratio.
Your best option if you’re looking for a pleasant and simple-to-ride bicycle is to get a mountain bike. Keep in mind that they are relatively substantial and not as light as road bikes.
Road Bikes
If you want a bike for commuting or racing on smooth and paved tracks, then choose a road bike. Road bicycles are commonly referred to as racing bicycles. The most popular kinds of bikes are road bikes. Without putting in much effort, a road bike has the ability to reach high speeds. Because of this, long-distance cyclists, competitive riders, and fitness enthusiasts will all benefit from the road bike design.
Key features of road bikes include a very lightweight frame, thin tyres and components, a drop (curled) handlebar, though some have a flat bar like a mountain bike, narrow wheels and tyres, and a composite (carbon fibre) front fork.
Hybrid Bikes
If you want a bike that combines riding on hilly terrain and paved roads with equal ease, just go for a hybrid bike. As the name itself makes everything clear, a hybrid bike is a hybrid of the features of mountain and road bikes.
E-Bicycles
E-bicycles come with a battery-powered assist that comes via pedalling and, in some cases, a throttle. When you push the pedals on a pedal-assist e-bike, a small motor engages and gives you a boost, so you can ride uphill without tiring yourself.
Budget
After deciding the purpose or objective, it is great to think about a budget. Make a budget for the cycle. A pre-planned budget will always help you avoid overspending. But always keep in mind that sometimes it is good to not stick to your budget and to get a good product that is best suited for your needs. Hence, keep some flexibility in your budget prior to going on a bicycle hunt. Bicycle buying tips for novices will guide you through this process.
Consider the following cycle components:
Understanding bicycle frames is crucial when Buying Your First Bike as they affect durability and functionality. Every other component is simply added to make for a comfortable ride. There are multiple types of bike frame materials, but some of the main ones are given below:
- Steel Frames: Due to their affordability, durability, and weight, steel frames are the most popular type of frame seen on modern bicycles.
- Aluminium Frames: Since they are lightweight and have anti-corrosive qualities, transporting them is not a difficult process. The price of bicycles with aluminium frames is high.
- Carbon Frames: They have anti-rust qualities and are quite light. Given their high price, buying cycles with this kind of frame is serious business. Professional riders typically use bikes with carbon frames.
Disc Brakes: Nowadays, the majority of bicycles have at least a front disc brake. For effective braking stability and performance in terms of quick stopping power, they are crucial. However, disc brakes are only necessary for travel and not for use in cities. You can stop your bicycle in traffic with just your V brakes.
Suspension Setup: You must keep in mind the rule, “The more difficult the suspension setup, the more expensive the cycle.” In India, the starting cost of a bike with both front and rear suspension starts at Rs. 10k to Rs. 15k.
Considering all these factors will help ensure you are making an informed decision when Buying Your First Bike.
Test Ride
Last but not least, one important step in Buying Your First Bike is a test ride. It is not sufficient to just buy a bike after reading the information above. Consider taking a bike you like for a test ride. Consider the rider’s comfort, posture, features, and suspension and braking performance. Buy it if you think it’s appropriate.
Though we are aware that there are online stores that sell cycles and transport them to your home, we advise you to at least test the ride quality by going to a dealership before making a purchase. As you can observe from the cycle’s condition, purchasing offline is preferable to purchasing online.
Also check out Important Cycling Tips for Beginners
