I made this list for a friend who is interested in buying a bike for excercise and recreation but didn't know where to start. In her town there is a good bike store that sells mostly Trek bikes and provides warranty for the lifetime of the bike.
If you want to take up biking and enjoy it, avoid buying cheap department store bikes. The price may be attractive, but that's about it. They're so cheaply made and often so tiring to ride that your cheap bike will end up stored away in the garage or basement. Spend a bit extra on a good bike for starters (from $500 and up), and you'll find that you'll enjoy your bike for many years.
The list below might seem long, but once you're set you won't have to worry about these items.
Hybrid bike options:Our bikes have front suspension and saddle suspension. We wouldn't have it any other way. Some say that suspension is not necessary, as the shocks make the bikes heavier. Whether to have suspension on one or both or neither is a personal preference. Saddle height:Let the bike shop fit you with the proper size bike and adjust the bike seat (or saddle) for you. The proper saddle height is set relative to the pedal, so that when the pedal is pushed down, your leg is about extended. If you sit on the saddle and your heels touch the ground, then the saddle is too low and pedaling becomes inefficient and tiring, and even your back might hurt.
If your saddle has suspension, then when you get on your bike you'll first feel that the saddle is a bit high. However, because of the suspension, once you sit the saddle will sink down a few millimeters and the it will feel comfy. Many saddles nowadays are made out of a comfy gel, and most have a dip down the middle for protection. Usually the saddles that come with the bikes are the correct width. Some people buy wider saddles, but they're not that comfy as they might first seem because the wider part will start rubbing on your bum.
Accessories:Bell:Listen to the ring of the bell and see which one you like best. Some bells come in fancy shapes. Kickstand:Some kickstands are adjustable length (and heavier), others are single length and usually lighter. Helmet:I like the Bell brand helmets. They're inexpensive and lightweight (around $25-$30). Often you'll find the weight of each helmet printed on a sticker on the inside of the helmet. My preference is a lightweight helmet. Gloves:Bike gloves with padding are important so you don't damage your palm.Also, they help keep you from scraping your hands if you fall. Some gloves are full-fingered for colder weather. I didn't like the selection that the Trek store had. Water bottle cage:At least one. (About $3, though we've seen them up to $8) Water bottle:The water bottles Doug and I have are insulated. We bought them in the U.S. BPA free for $10 each. Pouch that fits under the seat:You should put in the pouch, at a minimum, one spare tube and tire levers (to install the tube). I always carry two spare tubes. The Trek store has some of the best quality tubes made by Bontrager. Spare tube(s) and tire levers:Even if you can't replace a tube, there usually are lots of good Samaritans along the bike trail. Emergency pump:This is a small lightweight pump that installs along the stem of the saddle post. In case you have a flat, you'll need this pump to inflate the tire. Some come with gauges, which is handy. Floor pump:It is difficult to pump your wheels to the right pressure using the small emergency pump. Good floor pumps are much easier to use and have gauges. You should pump you bike tires once a week. Your bike rides better with properly inflated tires. You're more likely to risk having a flat tire and rim damage if the pressure is low. When you buy a bike, ask the shop to tell you what pressure you should inflate your tires to and write it down on a piece of tape which you can stick to your pump so you won't forget. Rear reflector:Many of these reflectors have battery operated lights that come in multiple modes. Steady light or flickering light. They're useful for the rare occasion when you find yourself biking at dusk. Velcro strips:Use these to wrap your pants around the ankle so they don't get caught in the gears. Some bike shops sell various types of similar gadgets, some like an open bracelet that grips the clothes around the ankle. Very Optional Accessories:Bike lock:If you're biking and need to go into a store or use the washroom, you'll need to lock your bike. Sometimes you can walk the bike into the washroom and into the handicapped stall. Since I can't always do that, I prefer to carry a lock. I have a kevlar cable lock and it coils up when not in use. Since I have a rack over the rear wheel, I wrap my lock around the rack. Some locks come with keys, and good ones shouldn't allow you to lock them unless the key is inserted. Others have a combination lock. Front bike light:This is useful for the rare occasion when you find yourself biking in the dark. One day my bike buddies and I found ourselves on a very dark trail in a wooded area past dusk. Immediately after that incident I bought a white front bike light. Most of these lights aren't that strong and don't quite light up the road. A few models are good enough to help you make it back home. These lights are usually removable. I usually ride my bike without the light, but if I am riding later in the day I install it. Bike computer:I keep track of my biking in a spreadsheet. As you might imagine, whether someone keeps track or not depends on the personality of the biker. The advantage of seeing how many kms you ride each trip is to gauge whether you're making progress or not. Also, if you're riding on an unfamiliar trail and you know that you can ride 16 km in total, then after 8 km you know to turn around and head back to your car. Fender:Many bikers don't like adding stuff to their bikes because they just don't want to add weight to the bike. If you want to protect your clothes from water and mud, then get a fender. Saddlebags/rack over rear wheel:A friend and I used to go on picnics, and we'd put our food in our saddlebags. Ours are two bags that attach to a rack and hang on the left and right of the rear wheel. Other bags sit on a rack above the rear wheel. Bike car rack:Useful if you want to transport your bike. |