Choose Your Bike

Choosing the Right Bike for You

Choosing a bike isn’t about trends or tech — it’s about feel. When the machine moves in sync with your breath and balance, you stop noticing the bike and start noticing the ride. That’s when cycling becomes effortless, meditative, and personal.

Before you start shopping, ask one question: What kind of riding do I want to do most of the time? Not someday. Not “if I get super fit.” What you’ll actually do.

Know Your Terrain & Style

Road Bikes

Fast, light, and built for rhythm.

Best for: smooth pavement, long rides, group rides, training plans
Feel: forward-leaning, responsive, encourages cadence and speed
Good match if: you like data, structure, and the idea of “going out for a ride” the way others go for a run

Gravel Bikes

The explorer’s bike.

Best for: mixed surfaces, dirt roads, bikepacking, “where does that road go?” rides
Feel: stable, relaxed, versatile; takes fenders, bags, and bigger tires
Good match if: you want one bike that can do a bit of everything and you’re drawn to adventure, not just speed

Mountain Bikes

Trails, roots, rocks, and focus.

Best for: singletrack, parks, technical climbs and descents
Feel: upright, plush, confidence-inspiring on rough terrain
Good match if: you like problem-solving with your body — picking lines, handling drops, flow trails, and sessions in the woods

Hybrid / Commuter Bikes

Simple, upright, practical.

Best for: city riding, errands, fitness rides on paths, short commutes
Feel: comfortable, easy to hop on and off, less “serious” but very functional
Good match if: you want a bike for real life — coffee runs, getting around town, occasional longer rides

E-Bikes

A partnership with technology.

Best for: longer distances with less fatigue, hilly areas, commuting without showing up destroyed
Feel: smoother, heavier, with assistance that makes headwinds and climbs less of a big deal
Good match if: you want to ride more often, go farther, or keep up with faster riders without wrecking yourself

You can love all of these. But start with the one that fits 70–80% of what you’ll actually do.

Fit Over Fancy

Your bike should disappear beneath you. Frame size, saddle height, and reach matter more than brand, paint, or how “pro” it looks.

Basic Fit Checks

On a test ride, notice:

Saddle height: At the bottom of the pedal stroke, your knee should be slightly bent — not locked out, not super cramped.
Reach: With hands on the bars, your shoulders relaxed, you shouldn’t feel like you’re reaching for the front of a bus. No pain in wrists, neck, or lower back.
Standover: When you straddle the top tube with both feet flat, you should have some clearance (varies by bike type).
Comfort at easy pace: If it feels awkward just rolling around the block, it won’t magically feel better at mile 20.

Test ride everything. Pay attention to your wrists, posture, and breathing. A bike that feels “right” is the one that lets you relax into motion.

New vs Used, Budget & Upgrade Path

You don’t need a dream build to fall in love with riding.

New bikes:
- Pros: warranty, known history, usually better support from the shop
- Cons: more expensive, sometimes lower components for the price
Used bikes:
- Pros: more bike for your money, great way to experiment with types
- Cons: requires checking for wear (drivetrain, brakes, wheels, frame damage)

If you’re unsure, think “solid frame now, upgrades later.”

Prioritize: fit, frame, brakes, basic reliability
Upgrade later: saddle, tires, wheels, drivetrain if needed

Test Ride Checklist

When you demo or ride a potential bike, ask yourself:

Can I see myself riding this for an hour and still feeling good?
Do I feel stable when I turn, brake, and stand up to pedal?
Does anything hurt or feel sketchy? (numb hands, pinched neck, knee pain)
Does this bike make me want to ride more?

If the answer to that last one is yes, you’re very close.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a bike isn’t about finding the “perfect” machine — it’s about finding the one that makes it easy to get out the door. Start with the kind of riding you actually want to do, prioritize fit over flash, and let your bike become a quiet extension of how you move through the world.

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Have a tip, story, or idea? It could end up in a future post. Email me anytime with questions, thoughts, or even confessions — we're all in this together.