The Ultimate Guide On How To Choose The Right Bike for Your Cycling Adventures

How to choose a bike can be a daunting task, especially for those who are new to cycling. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know which bike is right for you. If you’re a seasoned cyclist and are looking to upgrade your ride, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to choose a bike for all your different cycling adventures.

How to Choose a Road Bike

Road bikes are the most popular type of bike and are easily recognizable by their skinny tires and drop handlebars. Designed for speed, they’re the best option for those who are looking to ride on smoother paved surfaces. If you’re someone who enjoys long rides on the road, a road bike is the perfect option for you.

Endurance road bikes are becoming the bike of choice for long rides and gran fondos. They’re designed to be more comfortable, with a more upright riding position, made of carbon, aluminum, steel or Titanium to absorb shock and reduce fatigue. Endurance road uniquely blurs the lines between road and gravel bikes with the ability to use tires up to 40mm. In width

If you’re wondering how to choose a bike for smooth roads, there are a few things to consider. The first is the frame material. Road bikes are typically made from one of four materials: carbon, aluminum, steel, or titanium. And, each material has its own unique benefits. With that being said, many cyclists keep a few road bikes in their collection for different purposes. For example: you might choose to train on a steel or titanium bike and then pull out your carbon fibre road bike for that special gran fondo. 

Here are some of the things to consider with each material:

- Carbon fibre: Carbon fibre is the most popular material for road bikes, for good reason. It’s incredibly lightweight and stiff, making it the perfect option for those who are looking to ride fast. It also has the added benefit of absorbing road vibrations, making for a smooth and comfortable ride. The only drawback with this material is its price point! 

- Aluminum: Aluminum is a more affordable option that still offers great performance. It’s stiff and responsive, which makes it a great option for those who are looking to ride fast. The only downside to aluminum is that it can be a bit harsh on rough roads.

- Steel: maybe the heaviest material, but it can also be the most comfortable. If you’re someone who enjoys long rides, steel is a great option. It’s also incredibly durable, which makes it well-suited to carrying packs for cyclists who enjoy touring. 

- Titanium: Titanium is a little more expensive, but it’s also the most durable.Corrosion resistant and virtually indestructible. It has a similar feel to steel, but can be much lighter.

The next thing to consider on how to choose a road bike is the groupset. The groupset includes all of the moving parts on the bike, such as the brakes, derailleurs, and shifters. The groupset is what determines the bike’s performance. The two main manufacturers of groupsets that we offer at Chain Reaction are Shimano and SRAM. Each manufacturer offers a range of groupsets in manual or electronic shifting that vary in price and performance.

Finally, you’ll want to consider how to choose bike wheels. The wheels are one of the most important components of a road bike, as they have a significant impact on the bike’s speed and handling. When choosing road bike wheels, you’ll want to consider the tire sizes you plan to ride,

This will determine your rim width. Consult your local Bike Store to help you make the right choice.

When it comes to tires, you’ll want to consider both the width and the tread. For road bikes, 25mm- 32mm tires are best. The width of the tire will impact the bike’s speed and handling. Slick tires are the best option for road bikes, as they offer the lowest rolling resistance.

How to Choose a Gravel Bike

Gravel bikes have really grown in popularity over the last 6 to 7 years. These bikes are designed to be incredibly versatile and can handle a wide range of terrains. And, they’re easily recognizable by their wider drop handlebars and clearance for wider tires. If you’re someone who enjoys exploring, a gravel bike is a great option. They’re perfect for everything from smooth pavement to rough gravel roads.

How to choose a gravel bike comes down to tire clearance. The tire clearance will determine how wide of a tire you can run on the bike. Gravel bikes typically have clearance for tires that are at least 35mm wide, but many can accommodate tires that are up to 47mm.

The next thing to consider when choosing a gravel bike is the frame material. Gravel bikes are available in all four frame materials: carbon, aluminum, steel, and titanium. The same considerations apply here as they do for road bikes. Carbon is the lightest and stiffest, making it great for speed. Aluminum is a more affordable option that still offers great performance. Steel is the most comfortable and durable, and titanium is the most durable.

The groupset is another important consideration when choosing a gravel bike. Gravel bikes are incredibly versatile, and the groupset you choose will depend on how you plan to use the bike. If you’re planning to do a lot of off-road riding, you may want a groupset with a wide gear range.

Finally, you’ll want to consider the wheels. When choosing gravel bike wheels, you’ll want to consider both the rim and the tire, just like with road bikes. Gravel bike wheels are available with both rim and disc brakes. For gravel bikes, wider tires are best. The wider tire will provide more stability and comfort when riding on rough terrain. You’ll also want to be mindful of tread. While slick tires are best for road bikes, you’ll want tires with some tread for gravel riding.

How to Choose a Mountain Bike

Mountain bikes are designed for off-road riding and are characterized by their flat handlebars and wide, knobby tires. Mountain bikes are super versatile and capable of handling everything from smooth roads to technical downhill trails. If you’re someone who enjoys off-road riding, a mountain bike is the ideal ride for you.

When it comes to choosing a mountain bike, there are a few things to consider. The first is the suspension. Mountain bikes are available with either front suspension, known as a hardtail, or with both front and rear suspension, known as a full-suspension bike. Hardtail mountain bikes are great for smooth singletrack and climbing, while full-suspension bikes are best for technical downhill riding.

The next factor to consider in how to choose a mountain bike is the wheel size. Mountain bikes are available with two different wheel sizes: 27.5-inch, and 29-inch. Each wheel size has its own unique benefits and drawbacks.

- 27.5-inch: 27.5-inch wheels are a great all-around option. They offer a good balance of nimble handling and rollover capability.

- 29-inch: 29-inch wheels are the largest and offer the best rollover capability. They’re great for rough terrain and are the best option for cross-country riding.

The frame material is another important factor in how to choose a mountain bike. Mountain bikes are available in all three frame materials: carbon, aluminum and titanium. Carbon is the lightest and stiffest, making it great for performance. Aluminum is a more affordable option that still offers great performance. titanium is the most durable but also the most expensive.

The last consideration for how to choose a mountain bike is the groupset. Just like with road and gravel bikes, the groupset is what determines the bike’s performance, and the number of gears and the gear range are important considerations. If you’re planning to do a lot of climbing, you’ll want a groupset with a wide gear range.

Conclusion

Knowing how to choose a bike is a big decision, and there are a lot of factors to consider! Whether you’re looking for a road bike, a gravel bike, or a mountain bike, there are plenty of options to choose from. Ultimately, the best way to choose a bike that will fit your cycling needs is to call or visit your local bike shop and speak with experts like our team here at Chain Reaction. At Chain Reaction, we offer a wide selection of bikes from  the top brands. Browse our website to find the perfect bike for your needs.