Guide to Choosing a Bicycle

Here we provide tools and information about bicycles to help educate and encourage people to get out and ride, be healthy and help the environment.

Beginner's Guide to Choosing a Bicycle

Checking out a bike at the local bicycle shop. You have many different styles to choose from.

If you've dreamt about pedaling the open road, getting to work in a more environmentally friendly way, staying in shape or saving on fuel costs; it’s time you thought about getting on a bicycle. Or back on it.

There are so many opportunities available to you through cycling. Not only can you really explore your natural environment both at home or abroad, but you can be self-propelled, independent, make new friends, save cash at the gas station and contribute to a greener, more sustainable world. It’s a win-win for everyone, including your wallet.

Things to consider before buying a bicycle:

• What types of riding will I do? Leisure pursuits, getting fit, commuting, touring, racing and off-road are some examples.
• Whats my budget? Bicycles vary widely in quality, size, shape and form, so having a budget will help narrow your search.
• Is my level of fitness a consideration? Body shape, size and and your overall health may affect the type of bicycle that is best suited for your.

As you read this guide, knowing your goals will go a long way towards helping you buy the right bicycle.


What Size Bicycle Do I Need?

Once you have determined the bicycle that bests suits, you’re ready to shop. However before you hand over your cash or credit card, you should do a fit to ensure the bicycle that best suits your riding style and needs is also the right physical size. Fitting the bike will go a long way towards how comfortable and successful it will be. It’s also particularly important for children, as buying a bike they can “grow into” can actually be dangerous if it’s oversize.

Fitting the bicycle

To avoid feeling cramped or awkward and make the most of your pedaling action you should ensure the bike frame, seat and handlebars are sized correctly for you.

Some websites provide tools that will calculate your bicycle frame size. These usually provide good starting point when shopping for a bicycle. They take your height and bicycling inseam, and return a recommended frame size.

You'll get a personalized bicycle size sheet that you can print and take with you when looking at bikes.

Frame size chart for road bikes

frame sizing chart that helps you figure out the frame size you need.

Bicycle Sizing Chart

Sizing charts using your height and bicycling inseam (the distance from the ground to your crotch) can also give you a basic idea of the frame size you need for your bike. These sizing charts are available online or you could ask at your local bicycle shop.

The bike measurements are given for the frame of the bike, which, for road and mountain bikes, is the distance from the top of the seat tube (rather than the seat) to the center of the bottom bracket. For a mountain bike you normally require a frame 10-12 centimeters smaller than a road bike. Remember the chart is a guideline only and the final size you choose may vary.

Racing bicycle with traditional style frame. The frame is the main part of a bicycle.

Frame

The frame size of the bike must be right for you, otherwise cycling can become hard work and uncomfortable. If you’re too cramped you won’t be able to extend your leg into a full cycle to maximize power. Alternatively if the frame is too big you will get not get a full drive from your leg rotation either.

A quick way to check the frame size is to stand over the frame with both feet on the ground. If you have an inch or so between the frame of a racing, touring or hybrid bike and your crotch it should be about right. For a mountain bike the distance to the frame should be greater. 

For children the best way to ensure the frame is the correct size is to have the child sit on the seat and be able to place the balls of their feet on the ground and reach the handlebars comfortably. You should also ensure they have a 25-50mm clearance between the bar and their crotch if they are standing over the center bar.

Adjustable Seat and Post

Changing your seat height is the simplest adjustment you can make.

Seat Position

Some riders prefer a seat that is tilted slightly forward or backward but most prefer one that is pretty much level so you don’t feel you’re sliding forward or slipping off the back. It may take some trial and error to see what works best for you. But basically the seat should be positioned so your feet will rest naturally above the pedals and when you extend your leg through the cycle it is almost completely straight at the bottom. You should not have to move your hips from side to side to reach the pedals.

Road Bike Handlebars

Drop handlebars on a road bike have a height and tilt adjustment.

Handlebars

The position of the handlebars is more important than many beginner riders realize. The wrong angle can lead to back pain, shoulder strain or soreness in your wrists. Generally handlebars are sized to the bike and come in different widths. On racers and touring bikes they are usually the same width as your shoulders, whereas on mountain bikes they are wider.

Handlebars can also be placed at different heights. On road bikes handlebars are about an inch lower than the top of the saddle, whereas on a mountain bike they are even lower to provide a lower center of gravity, while on hybrids they are usually higher for a more upright position. If you prefer a more upright position so you can really look around and don’t feel so stretched out, then set your handlebars higher.

This position does mean you are a little less aerodynamic but if you have drop bars you can still get down low on windy days. If you prefer to be riding in a forward position then you should set your handlebars at the same height as the seat. Whatever you do, take note of the minimum insertion mark and don’t fix the handlebars higher than this or the stem will not grip in the frame properly.

Road Bike Wheel

Road bike wheels are thin and light weight. They are commonly sized at 29" or 700c.

Wheels

The wheel size is the measurement of the diameter of the wheel with a mounted tire. Usually the size is written on the tire sidewall, for example it might read 26 x 2.2”, a typical mountain bike size. This indicates the wheel is 26” and the tire is 2.2” wide. Wheels are categorized in size by their primary use for road cycling, off road, touring and BMX. For example wheels used for stunts and jumps in BMX will be smaller to take the additional loads placed on them.

Mountain Bike Wheel

Mountain bike wheels are smaller, wider and sturdier than those on road bikes. They are commonly sized at 26" or 29".

Mountain bikes are generally 26” (559mm) or 29” (622mm) in size and usually recorded in inches because they originated in the USA. The larger size is often used in cyclocross and for larger mountain bike riders. Cruisers and leisure bikes are often the same size. Road bikes, touring bikes and most hybrids are likely to have 700c (metric) wheels also known as 29”, which are a lot slimmer (usually 18-25 mm in width). The larger diameter rim rolls more easily than smaller ones although some triathletes and multi sport athletes now use 650c wheels which have less rotating mass. Older road bikes might have 27" wheels. BMX bikes are usually in two sizes; either 500 mm (20”) or 600 mm (24”).

The size of wheels for children’s bikes is different and will vary depending on the age of the child. Usually small trainer wheels are used for younger children and can be raised higher as their confidence and skills increase. Children aged 3-5 years usually need 300mm (12”) wheels, while 5-7 year olds might require 400mm (16”) and 7-10 year olds 500mm (20“). Children over 10 years can usually fit bikes with 600mm (24”) or even 700mm (26”), which are sizes similar to adult bikes.

Bicycle Pedal and Crank

Pedals are connected to cranks, which turn the chain to provide power to the bicycle. Pedals come in standard, clipless and toe clip styles.

Pedals / Cranks

To ensure your riding motion is being transferred to the bike with maximal efficiency, you should consider clipless pedals or toe clips. This way you can clip your feet in and every pull or push motion you make will propel the bike forward better. Generally the cage like toe clips are considered more cumbersome than clipless pedals, but they do allow you to use your normal shoes and save you having to purchase cycling shoes. Clipless pedals come in different varieties for road and mountain biking. The pedals used for mountain biking are dual sided, making it possible to clip in easily on rough and changeable terrain.

What Type of Bicycle Should I Buy?

You'll make the most of your bicycling experience if you choose the right kind of equipment. Your bike should fit your needs, interests and fitness. Before you make a purchase consider a few factors such as the type of riding you will do and the kind of bike that will suit that riding.

What types of riding will you do?

There are many different types of riding, and you may find the cycling you do blends more than one style. You may also discover a style here you’d like to try that you have never considered. Ultimately the type of riding you do, will dictate the type of bicycle to purchase.

Recreation / Leisure

Leisure riding refers to the occasional jaunt for fitness when you head out to enjoy a park, the seaside or new town. For example it could be a Sunday afternoon ride with the kids, grand kids or friends in the city, park or bike track. These rides are usually short, infrequent, on flat or easy terrain and speed is not a factor. They require little in the way of equipment, clothing or fitness and any kind of bicycle could be including older styles with no gearing.

Touring

Touring refers to long distance riding. It may incorporate cyclists on their way to work who have to pedal more than the usual 20-30 minute commute, or those on day trips, over night trips or even week or month long journeys who need to be self sufficient and carry gear with them. This may be a type of riding you have never considered and it can really be quite easy.

If you’re camping you might need a bit of gear and side panniers, otherwise all you really need is a credit card to get food and accommodation along the way. You could consider exploring wine regions, visiting remote wilderness areas, joining a charity/endurance ride or even jetting off to far flung realms with a bike. For these longer journeys a touring or expedition bicycle is usually required.

Road Riding

This cycling is usually done on superior surfaces such as pavement or bitumen. It may include commuting to work, getting to and from the shops, taking the kids to school or getting regular exercise. Or you may even want to step it up a notch and enter a triathlon, join a charity ride or a bike club. The great thing about road riding is any kind of bicycle can be used because the road surface is generally in a reasonable condition.

Off Road Riding

Off road basically incorporates all inferior surfaces. It can simply be the shortcut along a track or through a garden that takes you off the tarmac to avoid traffic. Or it can be a little more challenging riding on railway trails, towpaths and farmland through to serious adventure on rough, rocky trails. The latter is defined more precisely as mountain biking. You may need to do off road riding to get to work, the shop or the local school depending on where you live or what route you plan to take.

However most off road cyclists are usually out there to enjoy the wild and backwoods areas or the cycling challenges it offers. Usually a specific off road, mountain bike or hybrid bicycle needs to be used on these surfaces. A cyclist racing at high speed.

Racing

If you’re considering entering races or even charity rides you may need a different kind of bicycle that’s built for speed and performance. The type of bike will depend largely on the surfaces you are covering. Generally triathlons require road bikes however multi sport athletes and extreme triathlons may be done on terrain that requires a mountain bike. Bikes that are used on velodromes are different again. They have a fixed rear gear enabling maximum speed and the rider slows by pushing back against their pedals.

Where will you be riding?

The terrain you cover will influence your purchase of a bicycle too and should be factored in. This is because you might be cycling on the road to work but the route there is largely hilly or partly off road, and therefore could mean a mountain bike or hybrid may suit better than a road bike.

Hills and Mountains

Generally if your riding area covers really mountainous terrain you need a lower range of gears to climb them comfortably. Mountain bikes or touring bikes, even recumbents, are best for climbing hills. Road bikes are generally built for speed on the flat but can handle hills of a reasonable gradient.

Streets and Bike Paths

These are usually well paved so a road bike or hybrid will be the fastest possibility. Alternatively you may wish to get an old cruiser style to leave at the bus/train station for your commute to/from work that will be less temptation for thieves, or a fold up bike you can take on that bus/train.

Country and Dirt Roads

The surface of country roads is far inferior to city streets. If they are particularly gravely or uneven, a hybrid, mountain or touring bike with wider tires will suit better as they do damage finer tires and rims of road style racing bikes. You can put slick tires on a mountain bike to give you more speed if the roads aren’t overly rough. If you plan to do touring or rides of length outside cities you will most likely encounter rough roads.

Off Road Trails

Rutted, rooty, rough tracks require bikes that can absorb the shock of the bumps and tires that won’t puncture easily. Hybrids can take a bit of this but for the more serious off road work you will need a mountain bike with front or possibly dual suspension. If you would like to ride to work on good suburban streets plus do a bit of off road recreationally you could consider a hybrid, or simply use a mountain bike and change to slicks for superior roads.

What's the right bicycle for me?

There are a number of types of bicycles, and each has its own uses, advantages and characteristics. You may even find a model in the list below you had not considered.

Road Bikes

These bikes have a fine frame, thin tires, a short wheelbase and drop or flat handlebars. They are light and designed for speed but not as strong structurally as a mountain bike. They won’t stand up to any off road work and are only meant for use on superior surfaces like paved streets. If you have plans to enter triathlons, charity rides or commute to work over tarmac these are ideal.

(Road bikes come in various sizes for all sizes of riders)

Touring Bikes

Touring bikes are good for long distances and for carrying cargo. They have a bigger frame triangle and are structurally stronger than road bikes. They still have the drop handlebars and more gears than a simple road bike. The lower gears are particularly useful when you’re trying to move a load up hills.

Touring bikes use the same frame sizing as road bikes.

Mountain Bikes and BMX Bikes

Mountain bikes are generally top sellers for most bike shops because they are comfortable for cyclists to sit on, cheaper than road bikes and have a certain amount of status appeal of the extreme variety – attractive even if that’s not what you’re planning to use them for. In fact most mountain bikes are rarely used for what they are designed for. The wide tires and suspension absorb shock, making for a more stable ride and a bike that can handle rugged terrain without falling apart. While they are not as fast as road bikes they do have a wider range of gears suitable for climbing. If you plan to do more on road riding than off, or a combination, you can put on slick tires that are better suited to asphalt or bitumen. 

Mountain bikes are also very good as touring bikes although you can’t pack gear around the suspension so it can limit what or how you carry gear. Do be aware also that if you are not using the mountain bike intentionally for what it was designed you are really paying for unnecessary features.

Mountain bikes use different sizing than road bikes, since they require more clearance over the top bar.  Using a mountain bike frame size chart or mountain bike size calculator will help you figure out what size mountain bike to get.

Bicycle motocross (BMX) bikes are not suited for commuting as the low seat position is uncomfortable over any distance, although children may find them okay. The lack of gears also makes climbing hills on a BMX a challenge. These bikes are designed for dirt racing, street riding and ramps.

The BMX frame size chart and BMX bike size calculator will help you figure out what size BMX bike will fit you.

Hybrids and Comfort Bicycles

Think of a cross between a road and a mountain bike and you basically have your hybrid. Hybrids also combine the best features of both bikes. They make for very good riding on shorter paved rides. They have slimmer frames than mountain bikes and narrower tires but slightly raised handlebars for a comfortable upright position. They do perform better on road and are generally used for leisure or commuting. They are generally a little more comfortable and stable than road bikes but not as fast and don’t have as high a gear range as a mountain bike.

Hybrids and comfort bikes use either road bike sizing or mountain bike sizing, depending on the manufacturer and style of bike.

Cruisers

These old style bikes are the easy ride of the bike world. They are commonly used for shopping, going to the beach or a general amble. They have wide tires and seats and usually just one gear, which means they are best used on flat terrain. They also have upright handlebars that enable a good viewing position of the world around you.

Recumbents

The recumbent bike places the rider in a reclined position which enables them to be more aerodynamic and generally more comfortable as their weight is distributed across the back and buttocks rather than just the latter. In fact they are so comfortable they have been successfully used for biking across countries and continents. Recumbents give you a better view of the world and handle headwinds very well. But they are difficult to manage at low speed particularly when traveling uphill, may not be as visible to other motorists and are generally more expensive than the average bike.

Electric Bicycles / Power-assisted Bikes

These bikes have become more popular of late with people commuting to work who don’t want to arrive sweaty or out of breath. They are powered by petrol engines or electric motors and the amount of assistance can be controlled. They have a more hybrid appearance and are heavier than the standard bicycle so if the engine is turned off they are harder to ride.

Folding Bicycles

These bikes are fantastic for storing away if you are traveling. The wheels, handlebars and frame hinge together and fit in a standard box that airlines accept and you can easily maneuver on to trains, buses and cars. People that use these bikes love the idea of having a bike they know at their destination. Some people are skeptical about how effective they are over long distances, but they have been used successfully for touring.

Tandem Bikes or other Multi-rider Styles

These can be a fun way of getting around and allow families and couples to travel together. They are particularly good if one rider is weaker than the other. Tandems are generally fast to ride and good for touring although you are limited with what gear you can take as generally you can still carry just four saddlebags (some people tow a trailer for their extra gear). The tag along bike is another option particularly popular for children of in-between ages (roughly 4-7 years). These attach to the seat post of an adult bike like a kind of tandem and can be easily transferred from one bike to another.

Utility / Cargo Bicycles

Utility and cargo bikes are the semi trucks of bicycles. They have an upright seating position with sturdy, elongated frames. The rims have more spokes for added strength, with wide tires for stability. Heavy duty racks over the rear tires provide space for all sorts of cargo. These bicycles are perfect for transporting kids, groceries, boxes, containers, surf boards or anything else you can safely fit onto the bike. A variety of accessories can be hooked onto the rear racks, such as child seats, baskets and panniers to secure cargo.

Other Bicycles

There are a number of other unconventional bike styles including unicycles, scooters, penny farthing, trikes or even cycle rickshaws. These types of bikes can really increase your enjoyment of the sport, open up new challenges and also create plenty of interest for other people.

How often will ride?

The amount of use you get from your bicycle may help you determine what to spend on it. Consider if you will be biking every day, once a week with a group or simply the occasional Sunday with friends or family. If you plan to cycle regularly or the bike is for daily use you may justify spending more money on it both during the initial purchase and any subsequent maintenance. If you plan only the occasional ride you may discover you don’t even need to purchase your own bicycle or could share the costs with someone else. In holiday areas bikes are often available for rent and well maintained, and the cost of the occasional rental may be cheaper than the purchase and upkeep yourself.

 If you intend to use the bike for social riding only perhaps you would be better to split the costs with another person such as a family member. You should also consider if cycling is just a passing phase or something you are really serious about. If you’re unsure, consider borrowing a bike first and see if you enjoy riding and really want to cycle to work every day. You could also get a cheaper bike until you’re sure it’s an activity you will continue.

Do you have any health considerations?

Bike riding can be as easy as coasting along flat, paved roads and as challenging as the calf burns of intense ascents or the hazards of rocky, technical descents. Whatever kind of riding you seek, you should consider if your health is up to par with what you intend to do. Cycling is certainly an excellent, low-impact means of getting fit and building up endurance slowly so you will be able to tackle more extreme rides eventually. 

Cycling is particularly good for older people, pregnant women or those with or recovering from an injury. It can easily be fitted into your week whenever you have spare time, and getting to work can be part of your exercise regime and not cost you any more time than it would sitting in traffic.

If you do have a level of fitness and cycling experience, you should still consider your health when attempting back country routes, uneven or hilly terrain and long distances. Cycling the pavements at home is not the same as trying to negotiate twists and turns off road or pedaling for hours and hours. Sore muscles, blisters, nausea, dizziness and black outs are just some of the physical reactions you might experience if you are not prepared. Extremes of weather can also be a health consideration, particularly heat if you are not able to carry enough water or get more along the way.