Choose the right bike type based on your needs.
Choose the right bike type based on your needs Looking for a new bike? Sometimes the jargon can be a little intimidating. The good news is that you don’t have to become fluent in bike speak to decide which bike is best for your two-wheeled adventures. We break down things to consider when choosing a bike. The bike-buying process can be boiled down to three basic steps: 1. Figure out your bike type : The right bike for you will depend on where and how you plan to ride. We give you a rundown of bike categories to help you narrow your choices. 2. Factor in performance and cost: Bikes within a given category and price range generally have similar types of components. But expect to pay more for higher-performance components or frame materials such as carbon. 3. Make sure your bike fits: Bikes come in a range of sizes, so start by finding the right frame size based on your height. Read more about Bike Fitting Basics. Cycle shops (like REI Co-op’s) can help you fine-tune fit issues that arise after that. www.rei.com Mountain Bikes Designed with shock-absorbing features and sturdy builds, mountain bikes can handle dirt trails and the rocks, roots, bumps and ruts that make them so fun. Mountain bikes have lower gears than road bikes so you can ride up steeper terrain. Two frequently used terms are “full suspension,” meaning a bike has both front and rear suspension, and “hardtail,” meaning a bike has only a suspension fork. Full-suspension models tend to be more expensive, but they offer better traction and a more comfortable ride. They can also handle more varied terrain.