We’ve All Been There
When you’re new to road biking it can be intimidating and confusing walking into a bike shop. Especially when you have no idea what you’re looking for. This makes it hard to know what to purchase and expect. That’s why all of us here at Peak Cycles would like to break down three of the most important things to consider when shopping for in a road bike in 2021.
Does It Fit?
The most important aspect of any bike purchase is the fit. The easiest way to know if the bike fits it’s is to get on it and ride around the parking lot. What should you be looking for? It’s sort of like trying on a new pair of pants. You know when they fit and you know when they don’t. We recommend trying as many bikes as you can! This will help you start to feel the difference between bikes. The salesperson there should be able to explain why certain geometry and designs make you feel a certain way. But what if you want to shop online? Well, there are some online tools you can use to figure out the right dimensions, but none of these can really account for personal preference.
Is It The Right Amount Of Bike?
The second most important thing to consider is the level of bike you’re buying. Are you going to be riding a few days a month? Do you hope to start racing eventually? How long do you want it to last? Sometimes these questions can be hard to answer, especially if you have no idea how into it you will be. Having said that, there is a big difference between a $1000 bike and a $3000 bike. When you go up in price you’re getting better components that last longer and perform better. This is totally worth it if you are going to use the bike enough to notice it.
Prepare To Buy Extra Stuff
The last thing is to anticipate spending extra money on additional equipment and accessories. Some road bikes will come with a plastic set of pedals, but many mid-level to high-end bikes don’t come with any at all. If you are getting into road biking, you will probably want clipless pedals which means new shoes. Then factor in accessories like a saddlebag, multi-tool, extra tubes, a pump or CO2 cartridges, chain lube, helmet, the list goes on. Prepare to spend hundreds of dollars on these accessories in addition to the purchase of your bike!
We hope these tips give a good starting point for those of you interested in starting out with a new road bike. Come visit us at Peak Cycles to check out our selection of Road Bikes, Mountain Bikes, and Town Cruisers. We also have Kids Bike, Protective Equipment, and Bike Rentals!
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