Which Bike Should I Buy?
by on October 8, 2008
This question keeps popping up every few days amongst forums frequented by wannabe- or newbie-cyclists. They are usually well meaning people, trying to break the ice with a very simple question. Besides, many do not even know about the extensive terminology that has evolved since Baron Karl von Drais’ first wobbly ride-walk through the streets of Manheim. I do not blame them.
But as soon as such a question appears on the forum, it causes all sorts of mayhem because the internet does not work as a casual face-to-face conversation. Whereas in real life this question would be met with another one – “What kind of riding are you looking to do?”, here he is met with a barrage of suggestions from psychic members of the forum who are able to gauge exactly what kind of riding the original poster is interested in just by looking at his username (or for the inexperienced psychic, the avatar). Those without any psychic powers recommend a MTB –
“I can ride it on-road or off-road! Maximum value for money!!$$!! And the tyres are so thick they, they never puncture! And the frame is so sturdy. Ooooh, it’s so thick! OhmygodiamgoingtocumonmyEmmTeeBee!!111one!”
By the third page of the discussion the original poster will be ready invest his money in a growth fund for the next 30 years and instead walk or take the bus. He will have a tidy amount in his kitty when he is ready to retire and be able to spend a much bigger amount on a fancier new bicycle (price no bar, saar!) without asking for free suggestions from the internet junta. Of course, 30 years without any exercise and travelling through pollution-ridden roads will have taken a toll on his health and reduced his cycling capacity to riding from the stairs of his building to the gate. His knees will have begun to creak badly too by this time anyways (arthritis, remember?) and his heart will be pumping so hard that he will need to be rushed for an emergency coronary by-pass.
The doctor will strictly forbid cycling for the rest of his life. So the bicycle will quietly be put back into the box it came in and gifted to a nephew on his birthday and the poster will take up an easier hobby, like maybe painting, writing poetry or counting the days until his death.
Then Which Bike Should I Buy?
A few months back I was visiting my local cycle shop for a bit of servicing. While the mechanic was filling in air in the tyres, I watched a child, around 10 years old, with his parents trying to climb onto a bicycle. It was a fine, shiny model, well suited for his age.
What stood out was the informality of the entire affair. The family was simply passing by in their car and happened to notice the store. The boy said that he wanted a bicycle. They stopped, got into the store and began looking around. He chose one that he liked purely on physical appearances and was done. The store assistant pulled out an appropriate size in the same model. The parents and dealer haggled over the price. Deal done, the dealer bubble-wrapped it and loaded it into the back of the car. And off they went.
Bicycle shopping for adults can often be just as simple. You walk into a shop, look around a bit, sit on one to test how comfortable it is and decide whether you like it or not. Haggle on the price, make your payment and you are done. The dealer will probably adjust the seat for you. And instead of having to load it into the backseat of a car, you can ride it home with you because you are a grown up.
I know there are fitting specialists when it comes to professional cycling – racing, touring or mountain biking. But very few have the desire or tenacity to train for a bicycle race. Most of us just want to go from point A to B with a minimum of fuss and the best bicycle would be one that does not get in the way for that task.
OK, But Which Bike Should I Buy?
I had originally planned to say that any bike is fine. But recent new-entrants in the bicycle market have made me reconsider my advice. Bikes are each suited to a specific purpose. Some, such as the BSA Mach, Hercules Photon and Hero Hawk are good for riding on tarred or concrete roads. Others like the Hercules WOW and Ryders AV 101 are suited for off-road riding. And then there are some such as the Hero Acrobat MS which make me nauseous and are fit only as a source of scrap-metal.
Mountain bikes are great for off-road riding but not quite as much fun to race upon. Similarly, race bikes are great on asphalt or tar roads but you will jar your brains out riding them on off-road trails without shock absorbers. Touring or hybrid bicycles feature a bit of both – sturdy frames to withstand the rough and tumble of bad roads, as well as the geometry of road bikes for a comfortable ride. Then you have bikes specially suited to urban riding – cruisers and roadsters. They are simple, often stylish, with few gears and loads of urban-centric features such as bells and mudguards.
The most important aspect when purchasing a bicycle is to keep it as simple as possible. Gears are generally not needed if you are only going to commute in the city, or even riding out on day-long trips over decent roads. Shock absorbers too are often not needed, especially rear ones. Prefer a hard-tail with good front shock absorbers to full-suspension with mediocre quality front and rear shocks. And the most efficient cycles are built around the traditional diamond-frame geometry.
I recommend single-speed bicycles for daily commuters or light riders because gears add unnecessary complexity with dubious improvements in the ride. Single-speed bicycles also have less stuff that can fall apart and everybody knows that simplicity is good, right? If you intend to ride mostly upon tar or asphalt roads, get a road bicycle like the BSA Mach or Hero Hawk. For the ladies, BSA has a brilliant range of bicycles under the Ladybird brand. If you are keen on geared bicycles, the Hercules AXN DX is a decent six-speed bicycle, while Hero sells the Hawk and Devil in multiple-speed variants.
If you can, test ride a bicycle before you purchase it. You can borrow bicycles from some friends (or more likely, their children) to see if it is comfortable. Dealers too let you take test rides if you ask nicely. It helps if you dress up well when you visit the store, rather than looking like a bum.