Buying An Awesome Road Bike in 2022 – What You Need To Know First!
Biking is one of the, if not the healthiest method of transportation around, and road bikes are the best way to experience it! Most European cities have made their streets bike-friendly and encouraged their population to use this transport method more and more. The US is still lagging on this front as it’s a very car-centered country, but things are slowly improving there as well. Cities like New York have made a whole lot of dedicated bike lanes as well as made the city much more friendly to bikers all around.
Unfortunately, too many people are deprived of this because they either cannot afford a bike or do not know how to choose one.
Bikes can be very expensive, especially the newer models. However, there is no reason for someone who cannot buy to spend their money on something that is not necessary. As long as you have $100 in your pocket, you may leave with a relatively decent bike.
Table of Contents
1) Make sure that the frame is not too big or too small for you
Size does matter. Of course, size in this case refers to both the height and length of your legs. You should make sure that you can easily place one foot on the ground when sitting on the seat (you shouldn’t be able to which will make it very hard to pedal). Also, make sure that there is at least 1 inch (or 2 centimeters) between the crossbar and your crotch which means that it’s ok for you to sit down properly. If you’re not sure whether it’s ok – don’t buy it!
2) Shop around for a good price
After making sure that the wheels are inflated properly, it’s time to shop around for a good price. It would make sense to find out what your local bike shops offer (if there are any). However, if there aren’t – or you simply cannot afford to buy from them – then you should look elsewhere. I recommend starting by checking Amazon that has a huge selection and can be pretty competitive when it comes to prices. You can also try and negotiate and see whether one of the sellers will cut down their prices for you.
3) Check the gears & brakes
Checking these two things should be a priority because they are essential to your comfort and safety on the road. Make sure that both brakes work well as you don’t want to end up with a runaway bike. Also make sure, especially when it comes to the gears, that they are easy to use and respond quickly.
4) Make sure that the wheels are properly inflated
You should always start by checking whether the wheels are fully inflated (ideally to the recommended level). If they’re not, and you don’t take care of this right away, you may end up with exploded tires which will make riding very hard.
5) What accessories should you get?
After choosing a good but cheap road bike from Amazon, there are still some more things you may want to consider buying for your comfort or ease of use. For example, I recommend getting a water bottle holder & a basket that can be attached to the front of the wheels. This will give you much better balance which is essential when going over uneven roads. Otherwise, if you don’t feel like spending even more money on gear – just go on a test ride or two and make sure that you’re comfortable enough.
Conclusion
As you can see, it’s not that hard to buy a cheap road bike. As long as you know what features are essential and which ones to avoid – you should be ready to go in a matter of a few hours. Remember that it makes little sense to spend over $150 on a new bike but also don’t be afraid to bargain & negotiate with sellers. Also, if you have time – try renting one from your local bike shops so you can get an idea of how they feel and work before making the final decision.
