Choosing the right bike that fits your needs and lifestyle is important if you plan to spend any time at all on the bike. Too many people head out to their local discount store and pickup the cheapest bike they can find and then wonder why they just don’t like riding. If they had purchased a bike that was perfect for their needs, bike riding would be enjoyable, not painful and the bike would be useful for many years to come. Choosing the wrong bike will mean that it sits in your garage and may get pulled out once per year and then eventually gets sold at your garage sale.

When you start shopping for a bike, take the advice that you learn from professionals as well as advice that you find on the internet. In today’s difficult economy, it’s important to spend your money wisely, so research is key to finding the right bike. Decide first where you are going to be riding the bike. If it’s on rough terrain, opt for a mountain bike, but for driving only on pavement, get a road bike. Once you have decided on the type of bike, make sure to choose the right size. This is a crucial step and will mean the difference between comfortable riding and being in pain while riding.

For sizing, get on the bike and while standing, the top tube of the bike should be about 1-2 inches from your crotch. Don’t decide based on where the seat is as this can be adjusted. For women’s bikes that don’t have a straight top tube, sit on the seat and adjust it so that the leg is almost fully extended when at the bottom of the pedal. You will want a very slight bend in the knee. Too many people think that they should be able to sit on the seat and have their feet on the ground. This is simply not true.

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