Search for the Best Bike

The Search for the Best Bike

The Great Ourdoors

What to look for if you're riding up a mountain or over to the corner store

A stroll into today's bike shop is not for the faint of heart. The days of banana seats and coaster brakes are long gone, replaced by the likes of titanium steel  frames and shock-absorbing suspension forks. But don't be intimidates - or fooled. Inside that shop, there is a bike that is exactly what you need - and lots more that you don't need.

Here we'll guide you through the maze of bike styles and sizes and help you pick one that best suits your needs (and pocketbook):

How do I know what type of bike I need?

There are three types of bikes: road, mountain and hybrid. Each is built for a certain type of riding. A breakdown:

Road bikes: The lightest and fastest of the three bicycle types, these bikes are primarily for people who will be doing distance riding on smooth pavement. The skinny, smooth tires and low handlebars give riders speed and low wind resistance but also make some cyclists feel vulnerable in traffic. Most road bikes weigh between 20 and 30 pounds, but new high-end models can weigh as little as 18 pounds. The majority of people riding road bikes today are athletes who use them for training purposes.

Mountain bikes: Mountain bikes, created by outdoors enthusiasts in Northern California, are now the most popular bike in the United States. The upright seating, fat knobby tires, and easy gearing make these bikes ideal for off-road riding. But even if you live in the heart of the city and only occasionally hit a trail, mountain bikes offer comfort and stability. If you use your bike only for riding with the kids or short trips around town, a mountain bike is probably better suited to your needs than a road bike.

Hybrid bikes: Hybrids, relative newcomers to the bike market, are rapidly gaining in popularity. Hybrids combine the upright seating and shifting of mountain bikes, but offer the thin, smooth tires of road bikes for speed. Many people like the versatility a hybrid offers: you can ride on some less-challenging trails, and also make better time than you would on a mountain bike. But don't buy a hybrid if you are a serious cyclist: the limitations on both roads and trails will frustrate you. If you want to ride on challenging trails, the hybrid's frame and thin tires can't handle the challenge. And if you want to take it on the open road, you'll be battling wind resistance the whole ride.

How much money should I spend on a bike?

Bikes aren't cheap. You can spend anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars for a high-end model. It's hard to purchase a bad bike today, though - you can find a decent bike for $500 or less. So don't worry if your budget is tight, but remember you get what you pay for. Don't expect a less-expensive bike to perform as well or last as long as a high-end model. Your extra money is buying lighter, sturdier frames, and components (like gears and brakes) that can take a beating and last a ling time.

How do I know if my bike fits me?

One of the most common errors is buying a bike that is too large. The best advice is buy the smallest bike that you can comfortably ride. Tests to determine if the size is right for you include: straddling the bike frame and lifting the front tire up by the handlebars. There should be several inches of clearance between your crotch and the bike frame, 1 to 2 inches for a road bike, and at least 3 to 4 inches for a mountain bike. For more precise sizing, measure your inseam and then multiply by .883. The result should equal the distance from the top of the seat saddle to the middle of the bottom bracket spindle.

When riding, you should be able to straighten - but not strain - your leg. Adjusting the seat height can help this. Also, especially on road bikes, be sure that you can comfortably reach the handlebars. And on a road bike, make sure your knees are just barely brushing your elbows as you pedal.

Riding a common bike. Photo by Elena.

There are so many frames to choose from. What's best for me?

Frames vary in price and expense, with the heaviest and least expensive being a steel frame. More expensive and lighter are aluminum, carbon fiber, and titanium steel frames, in that order. One-price, molded composite frames are the lightest of all and are a hot new item, but they also carry a hefty price tag. Some composite-frame bikes cost as much as $5,000 or even more.

If you are planning on racing with your bike, a light frame is a necessity. But for weekend riders, it is merely a luxury that will make your ride somewhat more enjoyable.

Which bikes to you recommend?

Bike models come and go, and what's hot this year be outdated by next year. The surest way to purchase a quality bike is to avoid the hot gimmicks and new names, and stick with companies that produce high-quality bikes year-in and year-out.

For mountain and hybrid bikes try Trek and Cannondale, which are two of the biggest American companies. Also try GT, Specialized, and Schwinn.

For road bikes: Specialized and Trek are always reliable. For sure-fire winners that will put a dent in your wallet, look overseas to the Italian-made bikes. Some bike shops carry Pinarello and De Rosa, which are top-of-the line - and the most expensive. They often cost as much as $7,000 or even more.

The Nuts and Bolts of Mountain Bikes

The shops are dangerous places for those with an itchy wallet finger. There are hundreds of bike accessories you could purchase, but a much smaller number that you actually need. Here are a few of the basics, and some exotic innovations:

• Frame: They come in all shapes and sizes, but the lightest and fastest are titanium and carbon fiber.
• Twist grip shifts: Faster and lighter than traditional rapid-fire gears.
• Bar ends: They give you extra leverage when you're up and out of the saddle when climbing. Also when road riding, they allow a more aerodynamic position and a useful alternate hand position.
• Suspension systems: Similar to shock absorbers on a motorcycle, the pneumatic or hydraulic forks absorb the impact of big bumps and reduce strain on hands and arms. Popular, but not necessary.
• Toe clips: Road cyclists may want to investigate toe clips that shoes lock into, while mountain bikers should invest in a pair of toe clips give better leverage on climbs, but mountain bikers need to easily put their feet down when navigating tricky trail turns.
• Tires: Can be specialized to fit your riding needs. The spacing and pattern of the knobs affect the tire's performance in sand, mud, or hard-packed trails.

Buying a Helmet

Wearing a bike helmet is no longer nerdy. In fact, in many cities it's the law.

• The majority of bike-related deaths are caused by head injuries - injuries that could easily be avoided if cyclists wore helmets. But a helmet won't do you any good if it doesn't fit properly.
• The experts suggest buying a helmet that feels snug, but not uncomfortable.
• The strap under your chin should feel snug, but loose enough to open your mouth wide enough to take a drink or water.
• The helmet should touch the head at the crown, sides, front, and back and should not roll backward or forward on the head when you push up.
• Remember that you can make a tight helmet looser by inserting smaller sizing pads or sanding down existing pads.

A winter bike. Photo by Elena.