Choosing A Bike
Where Do I Start?
Any trip to a good-sized local bike shop may reveal a seemingly bewildering array of choices. There are brand-new entry-level bikes costing a few hundreds of dollars to flagship models with price tags somewhere up in the stratosphere….$13-15,000 or more. And a whole lot inbetween. So, we'll need to narrow down things a bit. Budget is often where people start, but relying solely on budget alone is probably not the wisest strategy. However, how much one wants to spend is clearly an important factor - it's just that budget need not dictate specifically what bike to get. What are some other factors we can consider? A complete list and detailed analysis is probably too complex for this short article, but some of the more salient features one might use as a starting point are as follows: price, bike weight, durability, frame features, tire clearance, component choices, ride and handling characteristics, and aesthetics. Each of these factors can work both ways. For example, you may specifically desire the (very slight) aero or aesthetic benefits of fully integrated brake line routing, or you might specifically want to avoid fully ntegrated routing so you don't have to deal with the complexities it adds to front end adjustments and maintenance. Depending on your particular priorities, each of these may have different levels of importance.
Naturally, proper fit is extremely important. If you already have a bike that fits, it's easy. If you have some niggling issue with pain or numbness somewhere perhaps it's time to re-evaluate your fit and/or position. Fit and desired position may change over time, due to advancing age, changing flexibility, or increased fitness as your rides get faster. Shops will often eyeball your size, straddling a couple different bikes to see which one approximates your fit. Or perhaps a quick inseam and height measurement will suffice. Beyond that, bike shops charge extra for a professional, high-level fitting. Sometimes it's worth it especially if you are trying to solve some physical issue or looking to buy a full custom frame (more on that later). Fit is not necessarily the same as position. You can encounter several frames that fit your body measurements, but they may place you in different positions - some might be too upright and others may be too aggressive for the type or distance of riding you intend to do.
Yes, but where do I start?
For a cycling enthusiast, supporting a local bike shop is important and it's a great place to start looking at new bikes. Besides from being a convenient place to buy bikes, accessories, and perform repairs they also tend to help form bike communities and often support local riders, races, and rides. Even if our local shops don't always have the best prices, we might choose to pay a premium for the excellent service they deliver. On the other hand, sometimes the staff at our LBS might not be as knowledgeable as we would like, or they only know about brands they carry. So I think it's also OK to broaden the search, especially if we are looking for something very specific. If the budget is really tight, some shops specialize in the secondhand market, or you can look online, or contact other members of a cycling club you happen to be a member of who might be looking to sell a bike. Some brands, like Canyon, specialize in direct-to-consumer sales. Some custom builders have relationships with local bike shops while others work directly with the customer.