How to choose a right bike for you? when we live in an era when science and technology develop like a storm. More and more new bike products are created, serving the needs of people’s lives to the fullest.
In the past, people used bicycles only for commuting and carrying goods. But now as we can see bicycles take a good part in daily human activities and sports. Mountain climbing, professional road racing, long distance touring, and beach cruising are very common sports today. Kids use special BMX bikes for their own competition.
A bicycle which has an added electric motor makes a buying choice more interesting.
Currently on the market .Because there are many bikes of different brands designed with various models. If you are looking to buy a bicycle for yourself or for your loved ones, family members but you are still confused which type of bike fits your best? . Please take a bit of time to read.
Choose a right bike which is one of followings
Mountain Bike
Road Bike
Classic/Utility/City Bike
BMX Bike
Hybrid Bike
E-Folding Bike
Balance bike
Stabiliser Bike
Kids Bike
Electric Mountain Bike
Electric Hybrid Bike
Scooter
Consider to choose a right bike that meets your needs, purposes.
The need and purpose of use is the first important criterion when you decide to buy a bicycle . And If you are looking to buy a bicycle for your family members. Then You need to ask them well.
Different purposes of use are the reason for choosing the right bicycle. For example, for the purpose of climbing mountains, challenging obstacles. A mountain bike is a good choice.
But a road bike is a right choice for those who want to experience the thrilling happiness of high speed.Or to have a decent bike to train as a professional athlete.
While a classic bike or utility bike is a perfect choice for those who want to commute to work ,to go to school or just wandering around the city or slowly cycling along the beach.
Choose a right bike size
Looking for a bike for you or a family member, you should consider the right size for your physique and health. Because the right choice will help you control the bike easily, ensure your safety,
Utility/City/Classic Bike Size
Frame size = Inseam x 0.685.
Driver’s height (centimetres) | Inseam x 0.685 (centimetres) | Frame size (centimetres) | Sizes |
147 – 155 cm | 61 – 69 cm | 42 – 47 cm (14 inches) | XS |
155 – 165 cm | 70 – 77 cm | 48 – 52 cm (15 inches) | S |
165 – 175 cm | 78 – 81 cm | 53 – 55 cm (16 inches) | M |
175 – 183 cm | 82 – 85 cm | 56 – 58 cm (17 inches) | L |
183 – 191 cm | 86 – 88 cm | 59 – 60 cm (18 inches) | XL |
191 – 198 cm | 89 – 90 cm | 61 – 63 cm (19 inches) | XXL |
Mountain Bike size
Frame size = Inseam x 0.66.
Driver’s Height (centimetres) | Inseam x 0.66 (centimetres) | Frame Dimensions (centimetres) | Dimensions |
147 – 155 cm | 61 – 69 cm | 40 – 45 cm (14 inches) | XS |
155 – 165 cm | 70 – 77 cm | 46 – 50 cm (15 inches) | S |
165 – 175 cm | 78 – 81 cm | 51 – 53 cm (16 inches) | M |
175 – 183 cm | 82 – 85 cm | 54 – 56 cm (17 inches) | L |
183 – 191 cm | 86 – 88 cm | 57 – 58 cm (18 inches) | XL |
191 – 198 cm | 89 – 90 cm | 59 – 60 cm (19 inches) | XXL |
Mountain bikes always have heavy weight, big tires and many spikes to move on bump and craggy roads.
Road Bike, Hybrid Bike size
Road bikes have a slim frame, made from durable lightweight materials, and thin tires. Because the uses are different compared to Mountain bikes.The road bikes have a different frame size, this is in order to create comfort for the driver.The design of frame is for directing and putting the rider’s weight forward , pushing the bike to run faster at the highest speeds.
Frame size = Inseam x 0.70.
Driver’s height (centimetres) | Inseam x 0.70 (centimetres) | Frame size (centimetres) | Dimensions |
148 – 152 cm | 61 – 68 cm | 43 – 47 cm | XS |
152 – 160 cm | 69 – 75 cm | 48 – 52 cm | S |
160 – 168 cm | 76 – 78 cm | 53 – 55 cm | M |
168 – 175 cm | 79 – 81 cm | 55 – 57 cm | L |
175 – 183 cm | 82 – 85 cm | 57 – 60 cm | XL |
183 – 198 cm | 86 – 90 cm | 60 – 63 cm | XXL |
Size for children
Children’s bikes normally have many eye-catching colours. It has an additional bell and two more wheels to keep balance.
Age( Years) | Height (inch) | Height(cm) | Wheel size(Inch) |
Toddler | 2’1” -3’5” | 88 – 105 | 9 -10 (Balance) |
3 -5 | 3’3” -3’8” | 98- 112 | 12 |
4 -6 | 3’5” -3’10” | 105 – 117 | 14 |
5 -7 | 3’8” -4’2” | 112 -127 | 16- 18 |
6 – 9 | 3’10” -4’6” | 117 – 136 | 20 |
8 -11 | 4’2” -4’9” 127- | 145 | 24 |
9 -12 | 4’6” -5’0” | 138 -154 | 26 |
After 12 years old, you can search for adult size depending on their height.
Select by Frame Size
Frame Size | Age (Years) | Height (Inch) | Height (cm) |
14″ | 11 – 14 | 4′ 10″ – 5′ 6″ | 148 – 168 |
14″/17″ | 12 – 15 | 5′ 0″ – 5 ‘ 8″ | 154 – 174 |
17″ | 13 – 16 | 5′ 3″ – 5′ 10″ | 160 – 178 |
If your height is between 2 sizes, you can choose whichever size makes you more comfortable.
If the bike is a larger size than your height. You will always have to stretch when cycling. The pressure causes pain for your arms, shoulders and back.
If the bike is low, smaller than the height. When cycling, your legs are not stretched properly, it causes muscle and joint fatigue and uncomfortable, cramped, constrained feelings.
Consider to choose a right bike that suits your budget
There are many brands on the market. The price will depend on the materials used to make that bike. You have a lot of choices that suit with your budget
Choose a right bike which have design you like
Understand specifications
Frame and fork
There are four types of materials for the frame and fork
Steel frame: Bikes made from steel frame are strong ,can withstand heavy loads and extreme conditions. Mountain bikes are a candidate for this material.
Aluminium frame: It is a good choice. Aluminium is lightweight, durable, and relatively cheap. At this time aluminium frame bikes take more than 75% on the market.
Due to the ductile nature of aluminium, Bikes with aluminium frames are often made to be larger to create rigidity.
Carbon frame: Carbon is not a natural material like aluminium and steel. It is a material that is bonded from synthetic carbon fibres.
Carbon frames are super light and super durable. It is material to make professional Road bikes . Normally, carbon frames are not used to build downhill, heavy off-road bikes due to the extreme conditions of this sport.
Titanium frame: This is the most advanced material to build bicycles.
Composition is a combination of the superior properties of aluminium and carbon.
People use this material to make high-professional bikes for professional athletes. And of course the cost of bikes is the highest.
This is the most durable material.
The cost of a bicycle with a frame made of Titanium and Carbon is usually higher than that of aluminium or steel. Bicycles are more durable and last longer.
Good movement systems
This is an important part of a bike. And it is connected one to another using pedal force from the foot in order to create movement of the bike.
The movement set consists of 8 different accessories such as a swingarm , front and rear brake, front derailleur, rear derailleur, sprocket and chain.
Eye the right Tires
For the mountain biking, tires which are large, thick, and have many spikes are most suitable. It makes bikes safer on the rough terrain. Or slippery or many obstacle roads.
For the road or racing sport, tires which are thin are a perfect choice. It can to reduce friction force push the bike go faster
Saddle and seat post
Saddle of a road bike is often designed to be narrow between the thighs, the purpose is to reduce the friction force when the legs are moving, helping the cyclist to create good force.
As for the city bike ,a saddle with a larger seat post is a considerable choice for your comfort and convenience.
Wheel size
Size from 9”, 10”, 12”, 14”, 16”, 18”, 20”, 24”, 26”, 27.5”, 29”
Read carefully the instructions about the wheel size which suit your height
Suspension system.
Is a shock absorber system to reduce the force of reverberation when the bike encounters obstacles.It protects the driver not to be strongly impacted when encountering with.
Frame suspension: frame shock absorber.
Front suspension: the shock absorber is attached to the front wheel
Rear suspension: the shock absorber is attached to the rear wheel.
Full suspension: Shock absorbers for both front and rear wheels
Rigid : without shock absorbers
Brake Types
V Brake or Calliper brake
It is a braking system ,in which the driver uses mechanical force to apply to the bicycle brake lever to pull the brake line and squeeze the two brake pads (made of rubber) onto the wheel rim. It can be the front or rear rim, creating friction to slow down the speed of the bike.
Mechanical Disc Brake.
Disc brake has a perforated brake disc (for heat dissipation), fixed on the wheel’s axis of rotation. And two symmetrically mounted brake pads on both sides of the disc. When the driver squeezes the brake levers, the brake pads will clamp the brake disc, slowing down bikes or stopping it completely.
Hydraulic Disc Brake
It is a closed vehicle brake system consisting of brake discs, brake levers, hollow brake lines containing liquid and brake pads. When the driver squeezes the brake lever, an internal piston pushes the liquid force, pressing the two brake pads to clamp the disc, slow down the bike or stop it completely.
13.Number of gears.: Currently, bikes have gear boxes that can adjust the speed from 2 to 30 gears.