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Some Tips from the Sportissimo Team to Help You Choose the Right Bike
If one of your New Year's resolutions is to start cycling, and unless you already have a bike waiting for you in the garage, you're probably wondering which bike to buy especially if you’re getting into cycling for the first time. There are many factors to consider when choosing a bicycle, not only for beginners but also for experienced riders looking to upgrade.
The most common mistake is getting excited about a model you've seen around or a trendy brand, without checking if it actually suits your real needs.
How to Know Which Bike to Buy: The Key Questions to Ask Before You Start Looking
How will you use your bicycle?
It might sound obvious, but it’s not. As retailers of top brands like Specialized, Pinarello, Trek, and Cannondale, we often see customers come into our store with a very clear idea of the bike they want usually because they’ve heard about it from a friend without really considering what they personally need.
Brand quality is certainly important, but it should always be paired with a careful analysis of several other factors:
What kind of riding will you do?
How often will you ride?
What’s your budget?
This is why relying on an expert shop like ours where experienced staff can guide you with the right advice can make all the difference between a beautiful bike gathering dust in the garage… and a New Year's resolution that turns into a real passion!
So, choosing the right bike starts with a few key questions you should ask yourself:
When Will You Use Your Bicycle?
Will you ride it every day to commute to work? On weekends for exercise? Several times a week for training? Or just occasionally for a family outing?- Where Will You Ride and What Kind of Terrain Will You Face?
Will you be riding on paved urban roads or tackling trails and off-road routes? - How Far Will You Ride?
Do you plan to use the bike for short daily commutes, a couple of hours riding in nature, or long-distance outings covering dozens of kilometers?
Find the Right Bike for Your Needs: What Types of Bicycles Are Out There?
The next step is to understand what types of bicycles exist and what their main characteristics are, so you can determine which one best suits you.
Answering that question in just a few lines isn’t easy, since the range of bikes on the market today is incredibly vast. Some bikes can even fall into multiple categories depending on the features you focus on, as they are designed as hybrids between traditional types responding to cyclists’ increasingly varied and complex needs. That’s also why expert guidance can be so helpful when choosing.
Still, we’ll try to simplify things as much as possible, to give you a general overview of the vast world of bikes on the market. (Apologies to more experienced riders who might find this explanation a bit basic.)
Let’s take a look at the main types of bicycles excluding e-bikes for now, since pedal-assist models can fall under many different categories (we’ve covered that topic separately [here]).
When to buy a city bike?
The city bike is ideal for short daily trips on urban roads, bike lanes, paved paths, gravel, or dirt roads, as long as the surface isn’t too rough or uneven. If you use your bike every day to commute to work (or at least this is your “green” goal for the future) or to go grocery shopping, and your routes are mostly flat, a city bike is definitely sufficient for you. “Sufficient” doesn’t mean the city bike is of lower quality than other types: within this category, there are models at every price point, level, and material. City bikes usually feature a sturdy and durable frame, a comfortable and springy saddle, a high handlebar, and wide wheels. Some have gears to adjust your speed according to inclines, and almost all come equipped with mudguards, lights, and everything needed for comfortable daily transportation.
Road bikes, for those who are serious
If you plan to rack up kilometers and love speed, then you’re the road bike type. As the name suggests, this bike is designed for use on paved roads. If your goal is off-road or dirt trails, you should look elsewhere. Road bikes usually have a rigid, lightweight frame, thin wheels, and an aerodynamic shape suited for high speeds. These bikes require a certain level of training, as they have very hard gears designed for competitive riders. It’s not the bike for a casual countryside ride but for speed enthusiasts. However, if you’re a beginner but want to get into road cycling, there are entry-level models suitable for newcomers.
Mountain bike, for adventure lovers
If roads aren’t your goal but you want to experience cycling close to nature, a mountain bike (MTB) might be the one for you. “Nature” means many things, and so does “mountain bike.” If you plan to ride on dirt or gravel roads with moderate elevation changes, a front suspension MTB (with shock absorber only in front) is suitable. If you tackle technical trails or mountain paths, you’ll probably need a full suspension bike, with shock absorbers both front and rear. There are many variables depending on frame, material, brakes, gears, and suspension. Enduro, Freeride, Cross-country, All-mountain are just some MTB types, as there are many ways to enjoy mountain biking from relaxed rides on mountain trails to fast downhill runs or technical paths. What kind of rider are you?
Gravel bikes, speed isn’t everything
Don’t identify with any of the previous cyclist types? You’re not alone. That’s why gravel bikes were developed in the USA. They combine features of road bikes and mountain bikes. Designed to handle gravel roads, dirt trails, and unpaved surfaces, gravel bikes resemble road bikes but focus on comfort and stability, allowing you to ride both paved and off-road terrains.
Hybrid or trekking bikes, the right compromise?
Still don’t see your cycling style here? There’s a bike type that combines features of road bikes and mountain bikes and works well for almost everyone: hybrid bikes. Also called trekking bikes, they offer versatility for cyclotourism, leisure rides, weekend exercise, and light off-road paths. They have a comfortable setup with a flat handlebar, upright riding position, and sturdy frame. Could this be the compromise for you? Come find out in store.
How much to spend on a bike: a question to ask yourself right away
Let’s talk about the budget a big concern for anyone choosing a bike. There’s no single answer because a good bike is one that suits your needs. Many factors affect the price, so prices vary widely even within the same category. One of the first questions to ask yourself to narrow your options is: What’s my budget? Without this, you risk being disappointed if your ideal bike is way out of reach financially.
What to look for in a bike: model and material
Once you’ve picked a bike category and set your budget, you can start looking at specific models. This is the trickiest part because there are so many, with many features differentiating them. Online reviews help, but expert advice is invaluable. That’s why we at Sportissimo prioritize assisting customers, both in our Modena-area stores and online, knowing how important knowledgeable advice is.
What else to consider? The material is key, especially now that technology offers high-performance solutions for durability and lightness.
Steel is durable and resistant to wear and mechanical stress, ideal for models prioritizing sturdiness over lightness, like city bikes.
Aluminum is lighter but less impact-resistant, yet offers good solidity at accessible prices.
Carbon fiber is the most advanced and lightweight, perfect for improving performance in road bikes and some mountain bikes. Even carbon frames vary in quality, with some very expensive and durable and others lighter but less robust.
Choosing the right size is essential
After picking your ideal bike, size choice is crucial. The wrong size can ruin comfort and pedal efficiency, even on the best bike for you. Measure your height, inseam, torso, femur, shoulders, and arms — these anthropometric data are key to calculate the ideal frame size, which varies by bike type. Our experts will help you analyze your measurements accurately to find the perfect fit.
Have you chosen your ideal bike or do you still have doubts?
If you live nearby, visit one of our stores in Modena, Carpi, or Vignola to try the models you’re considering and get hands-on experience.