BUYING A BICYCLE

Choosing the right bicycle is not about buying the most expensive model; it is about choosing the bicycle that best suits your intended use.

INTRODUCTION

People do not usually stop cycling.

They stop riding the wrong bicycle.

Many people purchase their first bicycle with great excitement. They ride it regularly for a few weeks, but then their rides become less frequent. Before long, the bicycle ends up in a quiet corner of a balcony, garage, or storage room.

Most of the time, this is not because of laziness.

The problem is that the bicycle they chose does not suit them.

A properly chosen bicycle will:

• allow you to ride longer distances,
• help you feel less fatigued,
• make you feel more confident and secure,
• and become a natural part of your daily life.

A poorly chosen bicycle does exactly the opposite.

It works against you.

It reduces the enjoyment you get from riding.

And eventually, it may lead you to say:

"Maybe cycling just isn't for me."

In reality, however, the problem is rarely the bicycle itself.

The problem is the wrong choice.

The Most Common Mistake

When buying a bicycle, most people begin with the following question:

"Which bicycle is the best?"

The correct question is:

"Where and for what purpose will I use this bicycle?"

A bicycle intended for commuting within the city does not need to have the same characteristics as one designed for long-distance touring.

A model built for mountain trails may unnecessarily tire you in an urban environment.

Likewise, a race-oriented bicycle may not provide the comfort you expect for everyday use.

The right choice is not the most expensive model.

The right choice is the model that best matches your needs.

What Will You Find in This Guide?

In this article, we will not attempt to memorize technical specifications or product catalogs.

Instead, we will focus on real-world riding experience.

Together, we will examine the nine fundamental points you should understand before purchasing a bicycle.

By the end of this guide, you will have a much clearer understanding of:

• which type of bicycle is best suited to your needs,
• why frame size is critically important,
• why the number of gears deserves less attention than many people think,
• why the braking system is fundamentally a safety issue,
• how you should allocate your budget,
• and what to look for when buying a second-hand bicycle.

QUICK SUMMARY

The 9 Golden Rules for Choosing the Right Bicycle

✅ First, determine how you will use your bicycle.

✅ Not every mountain bike is the right choice for you.

✅ Never treat frame size as a secondary consideration.

✅ Focus on ease of use rather than the number of gears.

✅ The braking system is a safety feature, not just a component.

✅ A lighter bicycle has a direct impact on riding enjoyment.

✅ Comfort is about much more than just the saddle.

✅ Spend your budget on quality, not on appearance.

✅ A well-chosen second-hand bicycle can be an excellent alternative.

GOLDEN RULE

The best bicycle is not the most expensive bicycle.

The best bicycle is the one that makes you want to get back on the saddle tomorrow.

1. DECIDE WHERE YOU WILL RIDE

The biggest mistake people make when buying a bicycle is seeing a model they like in a shop, purchasing it, and then trying to use it everywhere.

In reality, the first decision in choosing a bicycle is not about the brand, the color, or the components.

The first decision is this:

"Where will I use this bicycle?"

The answer to this question will determine the answer to almost everything else discussed in this guide.

Because there is no such thing as one universally good bicycle.

There is only the bicycle that is right for your intended use.

Choose the Road First, Then Choose the Bicycle

When buying a car, nobody expects a Formula One car to be suitable for grocery shopping.

Yet the equivalent mistake is surprisingly common when buying a bicycle.

Many people purchase a model simply because:

• they like its appearance,
• they believe it can be used "everywhere,"
• or they saw a friend riding one.

Later, they discover that it feels unnecessarily heavy in the city, uncomfortable on long rides, or more exhausting than expected on climbs.

The problem is not the bicycle itself.

The problem is the mismatch between the bicycle and its intended use.

Urban Riding

If you plan to use your bicycle for:

• commuting to work or school,
• traveling short distances,
• or making everyday life easier,

then your priority should not be speed, but efficiency and practicality.

For this type of riding, a bicycle that is:

• lighter,
• rolls more efficiently,
• and requires less energy,

is often the better choice.

Aggressive knobby tires and heavy suspension systems are often disadvantages rather than advantages on city pavement.

Mixed Surfaces

Perhaps part of your route is asphalt, while another part consists of cobblestones, gravel, or dirt roads.

This is exactly where many riders make the wrong choice.

A pure city bike may be inadequate on certain surfaces.

A full mountain bike, on the other hand, may unnecessarily tire you in urban riding.

In this type of use, the goal is not perfect specialization.

The goal is finding the right balance.

Long-Distance Touring and Recreational Rides

When you plan to spend hours in the saddle, comfort becomes more important than performance.

On a long ride:

• your riding position,
• frame geometry,
• handlebar height,
• and tire selection

may have a far greater influence than the number of gears.

Many people finish long rides thinking,

"I just wasn't strong enough."

In reality, the problem is often an incorrect riding position.

Off-Road Riding

True off-road riding means:

• rocks,
• roots,
• mud,
• and steep climbs and descents.

If you genuinely plan to ride on this type of terrain, then the advantages of a mountain bike become clear.

However, choosing a heavy bicycle for everyday use simply because you might ride on a dirt road a few times a year is not always a sensible decision.

Combining Cycling with Public Transportation

If you frequently need to load and unload your bicycle onto:

• a metro,
• a bus,
• or into the trunk of a car,

then weight and portability become much more important.

In this situation, even a difference of a few kilograms will be noticeable every single day.

Folding bicycles or lighter models can provide a significant advantage for this type of use.

Ask Yourself Just One Question

Before buying a bicycle, complete the following sentence:

"I will mainly use this bicycle for __________."

If you can fill in that blank honestly, you have already completed half of the journey toward choosing the right bicycle.

Brief Summary

• Determine your primary purpose before anything else.
• Choose the road before you choose the bicycle.
• Urban riding, touring, and off-road riding require different solutions.
• The idea that one bicycle is suitable for every situation is often misleading.
• The best choice is the one designed for the terrain you will ride most often.

GOLDEN RULE

Before buying a bicycle, ask yourself:

"Where and how will I ride this bicycle?"

The answer you give will lead you to the right bicycle much faster than you might imagine.

2. NOT EVERY MOUNTAIN BIKE IS THE RIGHT CHOICE

One of the most common statements heard when people are buying a bicycle is:

"I'll buy a mountain bike. That way, I can ride it anywhere."

At first glance, this seems perfectly reasonable.

It looks more durable.

It appears more capable.

It has wide tires.

It has suspension.

It inspires confidence.

In practice, however, this way of thinking is one of the biggest mistakes made by new cyclists.

Every bicycle performs best on the terrain for which it was designed.

Used on the wrong terrain, its advantages can easily become disadvantages.

Why Does Everyone Want a Mountain Bike?

There are several reasons.

The first is appearance.

Wide tires and a robust frame make many people feel that the bicycle is safer.

The second is a common assumption:

"I might want to ride off-road someday."

In reality, daily riding often looks like this:

• Home → Work
• Home → School
• Grocery store
• Waterfront path
• Park

In other words, most kilometers are ridden on asphalt.

What Happens in the City?

There is nothing wrong with a mountain bike.

But it was not designed for city streets.

Wide knobby tires create greater rolling resistance.

A heavy suspension system absorbs part of your energy with every pedal stroke.

A heavier frame requires more effort when accelerating and climbing hills.

As a result, many riders end up saying:

"This bicycle just doesn't want to move."

In reality, it is not the bicycle that is the problem.

It is the wrong choice.

Suspension Does Not Always Mean Comfort

This is another common misconception among beginners.

"If it has suspension, it must be more comfortable."

Not necessarily.

A low-quality or unnecessary suspension system:

• adds weight,
• increases maintenance requirements,
• and reduces pedaling efficiency.

For urban riding, a good set of tires with proper tire pressure will often provide more comfort than an inexpensive suspension fork.

Is There a Bicycle That Is Good at Everything?

In reality, no.

Every type of bicycle involves compromise.

A bicycle that excels on rough trails may feel slow in the city.

A bicycle that is highly efficient on pavement may be inadequate on technical terrain.

The goal, therefore, is not to find a bicycle that does everything reasonably well.

The goal is to choose a bicycle that is best suited to what you do most often.

So, Who Is a Mountain Bike Really For?

If you regularly ride on:

• forest roads,
• rocky trails,
• technical climbs and descents,
• challenging gravel or uneven terrain,

then yes, a mountain bike may be exactly what you need.

However, using a heavy mountain bike every day simply because you might ride on a dirt road twice a year is rarely the best choice.

Brief Summary

✔ A mountain bike is not a bad bicycle.

✔ It becomes inefficient when used for the wrong purpose.

✔ Suspension does not always mean greater comfort.

✔ Wide tires are not always an advantage.

✔ Choose your bicycle according to how you will use it, not according to how it looks.

GOLDEN RULE

The best choice is not the bicycle that looks the toughest.

The best choice is the bicycle that gets you out riding most often.

3. FRAME SIZE IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU THINK

When buying a bicycle, people usually focus on questions such as:

• What brand is it?
• How many gears does it have?
• Does it have disc brakes?
• How much does it weigh?
• Does it look good?

Yet, they often fail to ask the most important question:

"Is this bicycle the right fit for me?"

The single most important factor that determines whether a bicycle fits you is its frame size.

An incorrect frame size can make even the highest-quality bicycle unpleasant to ride.

Why Is Frame Size So Important?

A bicycle is not merely a machine—it is an extension of your body.

When you pedal,

• your knees,
• your hips,
• your shoulders,
• your back,
• and your arms

all work together simultaneously.

When this balance is disrupted, the problem is not limited to comfort.

Your control over the bicycle is reduced as well.

How Does a Frame That Is Too Large Feel?

When a bicycle is too large for you,

• you have to reach farther to the handlebars,
• you feel less confident when cornering,
• and quick maneuvers become more difficult.

Many beginners describe the feeling like this:

"It doesn't feel like the bicycle belongs to me."

How Does a Frame That Is Too Small Feel?

In this case, the opposite happens.

Your knees remain more bent.

Your riding position becomes cramped.

On longer rides, your back and shoulders tire more quickly.

You may not notice any problem during the first few kilometers.

But over time, the enjoyment of riding gradually decreases.

The Idea That "You'll Get Used to It" Is Incorrect

There is a phrase often heard in bicycle shops:

"You'll get used to it after riding it for a while."

No.

People can adapt to many things.

But an incorrect frame size is a problem that reminds you of itself on every single ride.

Hundreds of kilometers on the wrong frame will never be as enjoyable as the very first kilometers on the right one.

Frame Size Is Not Determined by Height Alone

Two people may be exactly the same height.

Yet they may have different:

• leg lengths,
• arm lengths,
• flexibility,
• and riding styles.

For this reason, relying solely on an online sizing chart is not always sufficient.

The best method is to sit on the bicycle and evaluate how it feels.

What Does the Right Frame Feel Like?

When the frame size is correct, you stop thinking about the bicycle itself.

You think about the road.

You think about pedaling.

You think about the scenery.

The bicycle simply becomes a natural extension of your body.

The greatest achievement of a properly sized frame is that you hardly notice it at all.

A Common Mistake

Many riders buy a frame that is too large or too small simply because it is less expensive.

Afterward, they try to solve the problem by replacing:

• the stem,
• the saddle,
• the handlebars,
• or adjusting various components.

In reality, choosing the correct frame from the beginning is both easier and more economical.

Brief Summary

✔ Frame size is not a minor detail—it is one of the most important factors in choosing a bicycle.

✔ An incorrect frame reduces both comfort and confidence.

✔ The correct frame size allows for longer and more enjoyable rides.

✔ Online sizing charts are helpful, but the final decision should be based on how the bicycle feels when you ride it.

GOLDEN RULE

The best bicycle is not the one you simply sit on.

It is the one that makes you feel as though you and the bicycle move as one.