Tips for Buying a New Bicycle

So you’ve decided to invest in a new bicycle, but it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the number of options available to you. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your ride or are just starting out, buying a new bicycle can be easy as one, two, three.

One – Decide what kind of bicycle sounds most suited to your needs.

• A road bike is typically lighter and has skinny, smooth tires and a curved handlebar. These bikes are good for anyone looking for speed on pavement.
• Mountain bikes have wider, treaded tires and suspension system for absorbing the shock of a rough ride.
• A hybrid bicycle offers the best of both worlds. It allows for smooth riding on pavement, with a more comfortable sitting up position, and is equipped to handle some mild off-roading such as dirt paths.
• Commuter bikes are becoming increasingly stylish workhorses in the cycling community. They are sturdy, straightforward bicycles with low maintenance needs.

Two – Budget for the bike and everything else you’ll need with it. Determine how much money you can spend before you start shopping. If you don’t already have things like a helmet, water bottle, bottle cages, air pump and other accessories, you’ll have to factor those into your budget.

Three – Online stores are fine for research and price comparisons, but when it comes time to make the purchase, go to your local bike shop. Have the salesperson help you adjust the bike you like to fit you properly, and then take that puppy for a spin. Try to ride it for about 20 minutes if you can. Make sure that the bike fits you right, and you know how to operate it. You may mistakenly dismiss the perfect bike if you have to reach a little too far for the handles, or if you are unfamiliar with a shifting mechanism.

Spend a little extra time when looking for the perfect bike and you’ll avoid future problems and the inconvenience of trade-ins. You could potentially have a ride for life if you do all your homework and refrain from just stumbling into a bike shop with a wad of cash, drooling over all the shiny toys you see.

Bonnici Law Group APC – San Diego bicycle accident lawyer