A Guide to Buying Your First Bike

Buying a new bike is not as straightforward as you may think. At least, it wasn't for me. In this post I'll offer some advice and antidotes to help you avoid making the same mistakes I did. 

I grew up in a small town with gravel and dirt roads. With exception to the occasional Bike Across Kansas event, there wasn't a road bike within 50 miles. My first bike was a blue single speed bike shaped object (BSO) with knobby wheels, a banana seat, an orange flag on a five foot pole, and a chrome shock bolted to the frame that served no function other than looking awesome. This bike was built like a Sherman tank, and it weight almost as much. At some point I outgrew this bike and moved on to a Huffy Mountain bike. During my first year of college that bike was stolen so I purchased a new Giant mountain bike from a local bike shop. My riding experience was limited but I did ride on local trails and even went mountain biking in Switzerland once. So, when I needed a bike for my first triathlon, I thought I knew enough about bikes thank you very much.

My plan was simple. Step 1: buy a bike. Step 2: start riding. And that's exactly what I did. I found a used JAVA "aero" bike for about 1000 AED ($270) and off I went with a sense of accomplishment. The first thing I did was to take the bike to my local bike shop for a service where the owner told me my bike was too big. It was a size 54 and I needed a 52 (whatever that meant). I wasn't about to go buy another bike and besides, it was close enough to what I needed. I was told that some people go to bike shops where they have their bike fitted and sit bones measured for a proper saddle. My bike already had a seat which was good enough for me and I knew how to raise and lower the saddle height. I started following a Garmin triathlon training plan I found on the internet and was doing great! That is until after a 2+ hour ride that left me feeling like I was repeatedly kicked in the groin. After that I decided it was time to invested in a bike fitting. 

As I started to become more invested in the sport, I wanted to upgrade my bike. The JAVA served its purpose, but the breaks were weak, the shifting was touchy, and it was heavy. I started looking for a real road bike with a proper group set and a reasonable weight. At that time a new road bike was out of the question. Why would I buy a bike that coast as much as my last motorcycle? Because of that I focused on the used market. After weeks of looking, I found a decent used Cannondale Road bike. I could immediately feel the difference between this bike and my Chinese BSO. It was light, responsive, and didn't look bad either. The only issue was that it was a size 54, one size too big. I looked on the manufacturer’s website for a sizing guide and found that a 54 was on the high end of the suggested range for my height. That was good enough for me. I bought the bike and took it to the bike shop for a service and again I was told by the mechanic that it was too big. He was right and it was obvious, but I was looking for a deal and my emotions were stronger than logic. Fortunately, I was able to sell the bike right away and and start looking again.  After weeks of searching, I finally found a bike...at my local bike shop. That's right, I ended up buying a new bike. The hunt for the perfect used bike was so inconvenient and so stressful that it just made more sense to buy a new bike. There was no stress in buying process, no questions about its history, no need for new parts, and it came with a free fitting and service.

If you are new to the sport of cycling, you might feel overwhelmed with knowing where to begin. You may be wondering if a new or used bike is right for you. You may also be wondering about the bike brands, group sets, bike style, clothing, shoes, helmets, computers, nutrition, training, and the lingo. For now, let's just focus on step 1: choosing a bike. 

BEFORE YOU BUY

Know what type of cycling activity you will be participating in. 

There are several different types of bikes such as road, gravel, mountain, cyclo-cross, time trial, city, and e-bike. In some cases, they look similar but have different purposes. For road bikes there are even different styles such as aero, endurance, city, and touring. This may seem elementary but you people out there combing through the used bike marketplace better do your homework. That Facebook Marketplace post may say gravel bike while it’s actually a cyclocross.

Know your size!

Get a bike fitting. This is especially important if you plan on buying a road bike. If you are buying a new bike the most ideal situation is for you to have a professional fitting before you buy. The bike shop or dealer can then order a bike with the appropriate frame, stem, and crank sizes for your body. If you are buying a bike off the showroom floor, ask if a fitting is included. Many bike shops will give you a free fitting when buying a new bike. 

If you plan to buy a used bike, go to your local bike shop, and ask them to tell you what size you should be looking for. Tell them you aren't buying new but will use them for parts and services...because you will. This will help you refine your search. After you buy your used bike schedule a fitting and be prepared to pay up to $300. 

Just because the bike manufacturer’s sizing guide says a bike is right for your height doesn't mean it’s right for the rest of your body. Many sizing guides are based on height, but overall height is only part of the equation. You also must consider leg and arm length. For example, I have a friend that is approximately the same height as me, but she rides a size 54 while I ride a 52. There are several reasons for this, but namely it’s because her inseam is higher than mine. If I straddle her bike the top tube of the bike is uncomfortably close. No thanks.

When buying a used bike…

Buying a used bike is a fine idea, especially if you are on a budget. If you are patient, you might get lucky and find a great deal, but you must be careful. Be sure to check the frame for damage such as cracks and abrasions. You can also check the bearings in the wheels and headset. Even though you are saving money on a used bike you might have to consider the upfront cost of bike fitting, a service, and new parts such as tires, a chain, cables, and labor. 

Important components 

There are many other factors to consider such as type of breaks, gears, frame material, and type of wheels to name a few, but if you are buying a simple bike to get started then these items won't be so crucial. If you are going all in then it will pay to do some research or ask your local bike shop to help you understand what is best for your goals. 

Best of luck as you hunt for your first or next bike!