There are many subcategories of road bike, including cyclocross, touring, adventure road, triathlon, and fitness. If you’re going to be using the bike for a specific sport or activity, consider getting one of these specialized bikes.
These bikes are called “comfort” bikes because they usually have wider, padded saddles and suspension systems to absorb the shock of potholes or bumps. This generally makes them super comfortable to ride.
These bikes do tend to be kind of pricey. A decent electric bike will run you $2,000-3,000. They’re also pretty bulky, so they tend to require a lot of storage space.
Every bike will need maintenance eventually. Don’t buy a brand new bike and expect to never need a tune up!
You can buy used bikes from most bike shops, but you can also search on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace if you spot something interesting. Just make sure that you inspect the bike carefully and test it out before you buy it!
If you want to use a more scientific sizing method, you can! Here are the general recommendations for bike sizes based on your height (the bike size is the distance from the seat post to the crank):[10] X Research source 4'11" to 5'3" – 13–15 inches (33–38 cm) 5'3" to 5'7" – 15–16 inches (38–41 cm) 5'7" to 5'11" – 16–17 inches (41–43 cm) 6'0" to 6'2" – 17–19 inches (43–48 cm) 6'2" to 6'4" – 19–21 inches (48–53 cm) 6'4" or taller" – 21 inches (53 cm) or more
Different riders prefer different things in a bike. A large part of this process is simply determining how a bike feels to you. If you aren’t comfortable on a given bike, don’t buy it. If you’re comfortable, it’s worth considering!
If you don’t live anywhere near a bike shop, check your local outdoors or big box department store. These big retailers often have bikes for sale.
Most online bike stores have a live chat feature. If you do buy from an online retailer, reach out through the chat function first. Let them know how tall you are, and what you want in a bike. They’ll be able to give you concrete recommendations regarding the size you likely need. [18] X Research source This is also a good option if nothing catches your eye at the local bike shop but you have a solid sense for what you’re looking for.
Ask the seller how long they’ve had it, why they’re getting rid of it, and what repairs it has needed in the past. If they get kind of twitchy or uncomfortable with the questions, just walk away.
