Ah, the fun part! The array of choices and configurations on bikes is dazzling, so your best bet is to follow my advice below. It’s based on what I went through.
Part of me starting this site was in response to the numerous questions I get from friends asking what type of bike they should buy.
Your bike choice is largely governed by how much you can afford to spend, and what type of riding you are going to do. It’s also brand-based; many of us have a loyalty to one brand (for me, it’s Specialized, Wilier and Time, yes, I’m a bike wh0re!).
Most people when they’re looking to get a bike want to spend as little as possible, and that’s totally understandable. Be aware though, that as you move down the price scale, you certainly move down the quality and durability scale.
When people ask me what they should get for say $500, all I can honestly tell them is “I don’t know”. At that end of the market, you simply need to walk into a bike shop, and spend the money. At that end of the price scale, you will get something that gets you going, but, if you plan on riding regularly, will not last. Chances are it will be heavy with poor quality componentry.
As we move up in price from $500 to $750-1000, and 1000-1500, and beyond, we start exposing ourselves to a wider range of possibilities, but, for the purpose of this exercise, let’s stick to the price bracket of <$1000.
The other thing to consider is what type of bike; hybrid, road, mountain, flat-bar road, dual suspension. I honestly recommend you don't even consider dual suspension unless you want to spend over $2500, at the lower end you just get a heavy bike with poor quality components.
Since your aim is to ride a lot, anything that is light with good rolling and momentum efficiency will allow you to ride longer for less effort, thus allowing you to enjoy yourself and burn calories.
We don't need to worry about brake types, groupset (all the gears and so on), etc etc, we just need to work out what type of riding you want to do, and how much you can afford to spend.
Type:
1. Mainly bike paths, some road, and nothing else: fully rigid frame (no suspension) either mountain bike frame or flat bar road bike. Since we're eliminating suspension from the bike, the quality of components is likely to be better than something that has front suspension. We can easily just look out for something with rim brakes [link to page with glossary of terms] too. No need for disc brakes. You'll only need hybrid tyres too, since we're not going off road. This type of bike is going to feel easy to ride and afford you a lot of time on the bike.
2. Bike paths, some easy/flat single track, hopping gutters: you want something with front suspension and you could go with either rim or disc brakes. At the lower end of the price scale, the disc brakes are going to be cable actuated (rather than hydraulic) and therefore not as good. The suspension will be poor-adequate, but, get you going.
Price versus Longevity
Ah, the next conundrum! How much to spend. A tricky question.
As we spend less, we decrease the longevity of the bike, and bring forward the time when we need to upgrade anyway. This particularly applies to anything you take off road and therefore subject to rough treatment.
If you're a Type 1 rider and only hitting the bike paths or road, a rigid framed bike up to $750-1000 is going to be fine for ages.
If we're looking at a mountain bike, we need to be more discerning, if longevity is a consideration.
When I got my first mountain bike, I prevaricated over spending $500. My mate begged me to spend $1000, telling me I'd get a much better bike. I didn't listen, but he was right. In 6 months I'd spent another $1000 on an Avanti. Had I just spent $1000 or even $1500 up front, I'd have a much longer lasting and better quality bike.
So it's up to you. Less money now and another bike soon, or more money now, and less money later.
1. Price point: $500-$1000, for bang for buck you want to look at Giant, Avanti and Jamis. There are loads of other brands but I have focussed on these. Avanti in particular usually do a reasonably priced bike with good components. You'll get a decent rigid framed bike in this range, but anything with suspension will be of lesser quality.
2. Price points: $1000-$1500; at this level we can look at Scott and Specialized flat bar road bikes, and a Specialized, Giant, Jamis or Avanti mountain bike.
Remember, it's not until you start spending upwards of $2000 that you can start really lightening your bike and getting something kick butt.
Seeing as most people at that level have been riding for a while, and this site is largely for beginners, we can look to spend between $500-1000 and get a rigid mountain or hybrid bike with no suspension, or a flat bar road bike (lots of efficiency and light) or a front suspension mountain bike.
Like I said, walk into a shop, with a rough idea of what you want, and tell them your price limit.
Helmet:
You'll also need a helmet. My personal preference is a Specialized Decibel. DO NOT skimp on a helmet. Get something by Giro, Specialized, Catlike etc. There's a lot around, so get something you can afford and that is light.
Just to get going, you don't need much beyond the bike and helmet, but some handy extras include:
Gloves
Tyre Levers
A tube or two
Hand pump
I highly recommend you grab some tyre levers, a couple of tubes and compact pump in case you have a flat. Check out this video of how to change a flat tyre before you ride [link].
YOu can just use whatever sunglasses you have, and as for clothes, I'd recommend getting some padded shorts. Plenty of shops have plain black mountain biking shorts with padded lining. Get them. Your bum is going to hurt - it will toughen up for sure, and quickly, but the padded shorts make it all easier.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
I've had a couple of good questions about scaling the bike purchase, from someone who is pretty fit already (he runs marathons), and he wants to add a bike to his arsenal. I hadn't considered this person, so I'll address this below.
Q1/ Should i spend more on one bike that fits all my needs or buy a
separate 'commuting' bike?
This is a great question and largely depends on your budget and how much riding you're going to be doing. I think to get started, a commuting type bike (either a hybrid, flat bar road bike or proper road bike) is a good start. If you plan on getting more serious and doing some mountain biking or racing, then it's going to be inevitable that you need to buy more than one bike.
As a start just to get some fitness, I really think a rigid framed bike of any sort (hybrid, flat bar road bike) is a perfect start.
Q2/ I don't like buying twice, what's the best way to aportion my money
so that my purchase scales?
This is another good question and depends on the type of riding you're doing to be doing. As I discuss above, if you only plan on doing one type of riding (road, bike paths) or mountain, you only need one bike, and you should spend as much as your budget allows.
I find what happens is you start with one type of riding and can be drawn to another, either outright, or as an addition, i.e. I mountain bike every now and then (races, recreational) and ride seriously on the road (train, race, commute).
Oh, and don't forget if you subscribe to the 10 week beginner list (free), there are a bunch of discounts etc in it.
Have fun and feel free to ask any questions below or add your own thoughts - these are just mine as how I see things.
