Let's start from scratch. So you want to start cycling but don't know where to begin?
I've been there.
Like knowing zilch about biking except knowing how to balance well enough to keep my feet off the ground and my face off the pavement. That's it. I couldn't even turn.
Some don't even know that much. And that's OK. I applaud you for being willing to learn and try. I just want to encourage you and tell you that you are not alone!
You can find great resources on the web for tips on learning how to ride a bike as an adult and realize you are not as alone as you think you are.
First things, first. Decide what kind of biking you want to do.
My husband and I chose mountain biking. I wanted to be able to ride on the pavement as well as the wooded trails so we figured a mountain bike would be our best choice. I can commute, cruise, or shred the trails if I so desire. The thing about commuting or road riding with a mountain bike is that it is more strenuous than riding a road bike, for example. A road bike is specifically built for going long distances on pavement at a much higher rate of speed. So if that's what you're wanting to do, a mountain bike would not be your best choice. The first step is to decide what kind of biking you want to do before visiting your local bike shop or buying an expensive bike online.
You always have the option of multiple bikes, but we have 3 kids and limited space so we keep it one bike that can serve multiple purposes.
CenturyCycles.com has posted a great article on the many different bike options available and their purposes. Find that here.
You always have the option of multiple bikes, but we have 3 kids and limited space so we keep it one bike that can serve multiple purposes.
CenturyCycles.com has posted a great article on the many different bike options available and their purposes. Find that here.
That was an honest question for me. I didn't understand why we needed to spend hundreds more on a bike shop bike when the department store bike seemed to work just fine. That question was answered on my husbands first ride out to the mountain bike trails on a Schwinn Sidewinder men's 26" "mountain" bike.
He came back with a bent wheel. Not from vigorous riding. Just from riding though a dip in the trail.
After replacements, it became apparent that this bike was not going to be able to hold up on the trails. Granted, my husband is not a small man... but he's not huge either. When you read the included lifetime warranty policy it specifically states, "Competition, jumping, downhill racing,
trick riding, trial riding, riding in severe conditions or climates, riding with heavy loads or any other nonstandard
use can substantially shorten the useful product life cycle. Any one or a combination of these
conditions may result in an unpredictable failure that is not covered by this warranty."
In short, if you actually go mountain biking with this "mountain bike", not only does it void the warranty, but it is dangerous and could end in "unpredictable failure.". Like going over the handle bars because your wheel bent going over a dip in the trail.
Let me just say that I am in no way affiliated with any bike brand or anything like that, I'm just giving my opinion here that these bikes are misleading.
I'll end it with saying that the warranty is voided for racing that results in "unpredictable failure", as mentioned in the warranty quote above, but I'm looking at a men's Mongoose "mountain bike" with "element racing shock" printed on the side.
How misleading is that?
So if you are totally ok with that, then I say, go with it. For us, it was a total waste of time and money.
I'll end it with saying that the warranty is voided for racing that results in "unpredictable failure", as mentioned in the warranty quote above, but I'm looking at a men's Mongoose "mountain bike" with "element racing shock" printed on the side.
How misleading is that?
So if you are totally ok with that, then I say, go with it. For us, it was a total waste of time and money.
rant over*
Getting back on track, I had my first ride on that Sidewinder. Then the hubster decided to take me to the shop where I was fitted, that's right, FITTED, for a small frame, Specialized Jett 29er. (29 as in 29". This is a reference to wheel size.) The difference was night and day.
Finding the right fit.
Higher end bike brands like Trek, Giant & Specialized, just to name a few, are customized and built to meet your specific needs based on gender & height. Department stores brands like Mongoose & Schwinn are now offering different sized frames and 29" wheels, however, both brands warranty's are voided if you use them on the trail and pose dangerous risks. I wasn't even able to find a 27.5" wheel at all for Mongoose or Schwinn, nor a 29" for women. They are offering 29" for men.
The bike shop brands, even the bikes on the low end of the cost spectrum, are built to stand up to trail use. It all comes down to your personal preferences and what's important to you. If a department store bike meets your needs and you are happy on it, then by all means, stick with that.
Just be safe and make sure your bike can stand up to whatever you're wanting to do.
The bike shop brands, even the bikes on the low end of the cost spectrum, are built to stand up to trail use. It all comes down to your personal preferences and what's important to you. If a department store bike meets your needs and you are happy on it, then by all means, stick with that.
via Pinterest
Just be safe and make sure your bike can stand up to whatever you're wanting to do.
So as mentioned, I was fitted to a small framed Specialized Jett 29er. The 29er felt so big and hard to control compared to the 26" Schwinn. On the other hand, the reach was better and the ride was much smoother. I didn't have to work so hard on the trail when it came to rolling the roots and bumps. I did not like the loss of control on this bike and eventually came to regret not buying a 27.5" wheel instead.
You decide what is more important to you. Do you want more control or a smoother, faster ride? For me, I wanted to do more steep descents and jumps that I just don't feel as comfortable doing on this bike compared to a bike with a smaller wheel size. A lot of people I know don't have a problem doing the bigger stuff on the 29er, and say it's easier because of how it rolls the rough stuff. I also hear many people say that you just can't get faster than a 29" wheel. On the other side of that, I hear some people say they find a 29er awkward and hard to ride.
Again... it's about your personal preferences. I have met a lot of people, male and female, who couldn't be happier on a 27.5" and the same for a 29". I would have been willing to work a little harder and lose a little speed to get that control back, personally.
You decide what is more important to you. Do you want more control or a smoother, faster ride? For me, I wanted to do more steep descents and jumps that I just don't feel as comfortable doing on this bike compared to a bike with a smaller wheel size. A lot of people I know don't have a problem doing the bigger stuff on the 29er, and say it's easier because of how it rolls the rough stuff. I also hear many people say that you just can't get faster than a 29" wheel. On the other side of that, I hear some people say they find a 29er awkward and hard to ride.
Again... it's about your personal preferences. I have met a lot of people, male and female, who couldn't be happier on a 27.5" and the same for a 29". I would have been willing to work a little harder and lose a little speed to get that control back, personally.
My suggestion is to go to your local shop and talk to the employees there. Most of them are knowledgeable and will help you find the right bike for you. You can test ride them and see what feels most comfortable to you.
The cost of a new quality bike can be overwhelming. To keep costs down initially, my husband and I bought on the lower end of the bikes the shop had to offer. We do not regret this decision after learning about changing out the entry level components over time. My husband has learned how to do all the upgrades and maintenance himself. We shop jensonusa.com for almost everything. Their prices on quality name brand components are just much more reasonable than anywhere else we've found. We have also found plenty of great deals through Craigslist, including my most recent purchase, a brand new RockShox XC32 air suspension for half off the retail price! I will have more on our personal review of the RockShox air suspension later.
As a beginner, buying a bike can be overwhelming. I hope this article helps someone out there.
One more thing.
I want to mention Strava.com. It is website that offers a phone app for runners and cyclists where you can record your rides & view competitive segments on your routes. Or just record for yourself. It will tell you how far you went and how fast. It really served as great motivation for me personally, being able to track my progress and plug in with other riders. I'd also suggest plugging into your local trail Facebook pages. You'll find trail information as well as a community of other riders that can offer tips, ride information, bike and parts reviews ect... They are a wealth of cycling information.
Thanks for reading! Hope this helps. Until next time, get out there and ride your bike. :)
