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Maybe it’s been a year, or a decade, or longer, but more and more adults are hitting the streets and trails on bicycles. Whether you intend to just cruise around the neighborhood, hit the trails, commute to work, or ride in a long-distance competition, you need the right bike to get the job done. Your childhood bike, even if tuned up, might not get the job done. Here are some things to take into consideration when making that evaluation.
Is it the right size?
Stand over the bike and if you have a clearance of between 1” and 2” you are good to go. If however, the clearance is larger or smaller, you’ll need to get a different bike.
What’s your surface?
Before you climb back on to your childhood bike, you need to be clear about what surfaces you’ll be riding on. Will it be pavement, hilly, flat, gravel, dirt, or trail? Be realistic. Yes, in certain circumstances you might well be riding you bike on all of these surfaces, but where will you be doing most of your riding?
Bike Styles
Bicycles come in a wide variety of styles, too many to list here. But if you are just getting into biking again, three to consider are:
- Mountain bikes are smaller in height with a heavier frame and are good for dirt and gravel.
- Road bikes are taller and are good for commuting and long-distance rides
- Recreational (also known as comfort bikes) good for the neighborhood and bike trails.
Your local bicycle shop is the best place to get advice. If you have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to give them a call.
