Have you decided it’s high time to purchase a bicycle and start riding? It is a great decision! You will be healthier, fitter, you will reduce your carbon print if you cycle regularly, and you can make tons of friends in the cyclist community. Cycling is a great cardio exercise that doesn’t put a lot of strain on your knees. It’s also a viable method of transportation and, last but not least, it enables you to explore the city and the surroundings in a way that a car ride does not allow.

The market for cyclists is huge as this sport has a lot of variations and applications. You can find bicycles for very specific conditions, functions, and activities, and that can get confusing fast if you don’t know what to look for or what you want.

Here are some questions that will help you figure out what the best bicycle for your needs is.

What Will You Use It for?

Do you need a bike to use every day on your commute to work or is it more for a weekend hobby type of thing? Will you need a bike that can take you on long distances or do you need a versatile one that can be used on many types of terrain? Keep these parameters in mind when looking for the right type of bike to buy: mountain bike, road bike, cruiser or a hybrid.

What Terrain Will You Ride on?

• Is It smooth or rugged?

Will you ride exclusively on smooth asphalt or do you see yourself going off-road, on rugged terrain, sand, stones or forest paths? The four types of bikes presented previously are designed for certain terrain conditions, but you can go further in adapting the bike to the exact conditions you will be facing, by adding special tires. A mountain bike is perfect if you will ride through the forest, but a fixie is ideal for city streets. Or, if you want to have the best of both worlds, search a hybrid one could be the best bike for you.

• Is It Flat or Does It Have Hills?

How is the area you live in? Are there a lot of hills and slopes? In case you are riding up and down the mountains or hills, and depending on your fitness level and stamina, you need to choose enough gears to make your ride smooth. The more low speeds you have, the easier it will be to ride upwards on a slope. On flat terrain, you only need a six-geared bike or even a fixie (a bike with no gears).

How Well Does It Fit Your Measurements?

Now that you have a clearer idea of what is the best bike type for you, it is wise to test different models before committing to a model. It is important that the size of the bike matches your measurements, especially your height for riding correctly and comfortably. Make sure the frame is fit for you and doesn’t force you into an incorrect, damaging position. It will make a huge difference, trust us. Search for measuring charts for different types of bikes and grab the measuring tape!

What Accessories Will You Need?

This is a feature you can handle later, even after purchasing the bicycle itself, but it helps to know beforehand what type of accessories you will be able to fit on your future bike. If you want to attach a baby seat, make sure the bike is compatible with most seats on the market. If you are planning on taking your bike on long distances, you will need to fit it with sacks and baggage carriers. Consider them when buying your bike, too, as the little things are just as important for the quality of your ride.

Go for a Test Ride!

Now that you have a good understanding of how your bicycle should look like, you should head to the store and make a short list of bikes, with the help of the shop consultants. The next big step is to test each one and ride it around the building. You should be able to tell if the bike is the right size for you if you are comfortable riding it, if it is easy to carry, if needed, and if you like how it looks in real life.

Once you are the new owner of a great bike, it’s time to put it to good use and enjoy this wonderful lifestyle and its benefits.