How to Choose a Bike

Looking for a new bike? Sometimes the jargon can be a little intimidating. The good news is that you don’t have to become fluent in bike speak to decide which bike is best for your two-wheeled adventures. We break down things to consider when choosing a bike.

The bike-buying process can be boiled down to three basic steps:

1. Figure out your bike type: The right bike for you will depend on where and how you plan to ride. We give you a rundown of bike categories to help you narrow your choices.

2. Factor in performance and cost: Bikes within a given category and price range generally have similar types of components. But expect to pay more for higher-performance components or frame materials such as carbon.

3. Make sure your bike fits: Bikes come in a range of sizes, so start by finding the right frame size based on your height. Read more about Bike Fitting Basics. Cycle shops (like REI Co-op’s) can help you fine-tune fit issues that arise after that.

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