If you are new to cycling, or getting back to it after a long break, chances are that you will be looking for either a comfort bike or a hybrid.

There are a few key differences between comfort and hybrid bicycles, highlighted below. Comfort bikes are for flattish terrain and shortish rides, emphasizing comfort over speed. Hybrid bikes can be ridden on most kinds of terrain, for short and long rides, and are also comfortable.

Of course, there are variations of bikes in between the above two examples, with respect to tire width and diameter, # gears, frame geometry, style of seat and overall weight.

Bicycles can also be modified: handlebars, seats and tires can be changed. You can have more gears put on. If you have problems with one hand, brakes and gear shifters can both be repositioned to one side. There are many possibilities to accommodate tricky joints and aging bodies.

Bikes come in different sizes, and getting the right size is important. Even though various components can be modified as described above, frame size is the one thing that can't be changed. Usually, your height determines the size of bike for you, but it can also depend on your leg length. This is one area where skilled bike shop salespeople make a difference: they can determine the best size and type of bike for you, as well as recommend suitable modifications.

Speed is not necessarily that important for everyday cyclists, but effort definitely is. So, when a bike can go faster, as hybrid bikes can (vs comfort bikes), what it really means is that less effort is required for a given speed. And, the higher number of gear options available on hybrid bikes means that going up hills is a lot easier. (OK, I admit that I am biased toward hybrid bikes).

Mountain bike and road bikes: In case you are wondering about these two other common types of bikes, I am not focusing on them because the former are designed for off-road riding over rough terrain, and the latter are built for speed on smooth roads.

You may also be interested in electric assist, if you want a bit of help with hills and longer distances. There are two possibilities: having an electric motor kit installed on your favourite bike, or buying a bicycle that is designed and built for electric assist (aka “e-bike”).

If you have serious concerns about falling, or you just like the idea of being cool in a laid-back position, adult trikes are an excellent option. They can also have electric assist.

One last plug for your local bike shop: Department store bikes may be cheaper initially, but you lose over the long term. You will see higher maintenance costs over time, malfunctions during rides, and a less comfortable ride experience overall. Plus, you aren’t supporting local small businesses, who care about your needs and service what they sell!

For some wise general bike-buying advice, check out Part 1 of What Kind of Bike Should I Get?

Blogposts coming up:

* All about e-bikes
* Why does it hurt? - aka Modifications that can be made to a bike
* Amazing things that other countries are doing to promote cycling
* Bike touring 101
* Nice places to cycle in Victoria
* How to start your own riding group
* How to ride in traffic 101

       (not necessarily in this order!)

If you don’t have a bike and are wondering what to get, it can be a Catch-22: How do you know what you should buy if you can’t really find out until you buy it and ride it for a while?

You might just want to ride around the neighbourhood, or on trails. Or, you might want to eventually ride to work, and have a bike that can serve both purposes. You might like to sit upright, or you have trouble lifting your leg, or have a balance issue. There are bikes for all purposes and needs: comfort bikes, city bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, road bikes, touring bikes, adult trikes, e-bikes. (Did I mention unicycles? haha).

From someone who has encountered and taught hundreds, if not thousands of new cyclists, I have some general wisdom to share:

Don’t rush into it.

It’s better to get the right bike from the start, rather than find out two weeks later that it is actually too heavy or too slow or too hard to get on & off or doesn’t have enough gears, etc. Although you may be able to return an almost-new bike for a restocking fee (~20%), you might have to take a bigger loss by selling it used. (Still – it is better to sell it and start over than give up the idea of cycling!)

Never let a salesperson pressure you into a bike purchase. Although bike shops don’t work on commission (as car dealerships do), for some, there is still pride in getting bikes out the door. Private sellers might be just as pushy, and there is a real possibility that the bike may be stolen.

Gather information

 * Get advice from friends or co-workers who ride, particularly those who you can identify with.

 * Visit some bike shops and see what is out there. Ask questions (but don’t commit).

 * Read about bikes on the internet (if you're into that).

Test ride some bikes

Test riding bicycles at bike shops is an excellent way to try out a bike that fits you and that is in good running condition, and to try out different kinds of bikes. A reputable bike shop has salespeople that will want you to find the right bike for you. They won’t pressure you to buy a bike. Don’t feel obliged to buy a bike just because you have taken a test ride or two (or three!).

If you can, visit bike shops on weekdays and avoid the end of the workday. This way, salespeople will have more time to spend with you.

Take the long view

Right now, it can be hard to know what kind of cycling you may eventually like to do. You may find that you enjoy it more than you originally thought you would, and want to do more, or for longer distances. Your fitness and confidence will improve, making other kinds of trips possible: for example: to work, or longer recreational rides, or fundraising challenge rides, or cycling tours in foreign countries (guided or not), or trips ferrying your children or grandchildren to school or daycare. There are many possibilities!

If this happens, you have a couple of options: sell your current bike or get a second bike for a different purpose. Bicycles are one of the best investments you will ever make – for your health, peace of mind and the environment. It’s OK to have more than one!

Read Part 2 for more specifics about buying a bike