When the weather’s nice, it seems almost criminal to travel via car or stuffy bus. Jumping on a bike and cruising down the street with the breeze blowing through your hair—now, that sounds like a better way to celebrate the sun. Unfortunately, my bike is a rusted mess, with shoddy brakes and practically flat wheels. I’m in need of a new one, which means I need to do some research. Buying a new bike is an investment; not only are your safety and comfort at stake, but should you buy the wrong one, that’s hundreds of dollars (or even thousands, depending on the model) down the drain. Whether you’re looking for a bike to commute with or just something to get you to the market down the street, there are necessary steps everyone should take pre-purchase.

Ask yourself this first: why do you want a bike?
Have you walked into a bike shop recently? There are roughly one bajillion bicycles to choose from, so before you set foot inside, figure out why you need the bike. Chances are, you’ll choose from one of four different types. Be sure to talk to a professional about each before making a decision. He or she will have a better idea of the needs each specific model can meet.

    * Mountain: This bike’s perfect if you want to bike on rough, uneven surfaces (i.e., not pavement). The bouncy, wide tires absorb shock well, and the heavy frame provides more stability. It does all right on regular roads, but only for short distances.
    * Road: Road bikes are much lighter than their mountain counterparts and have big, skinny tires that allow for faster speeds and longer distances. They’re perfect for city commuting, taking long bike trips, and fitness riding, and the handlebars (either drop-bar or flat-bar) are designed to move through traffic better.
    * Lifestyle: A couple of bike types fall into this category. Cruisers have retro designs (think bright colors and big handlebars) and are good for quick rides. Comfort bikes let riders sit more upright and have padded seats. They’re often similar to mountain bikes or hybrids, but, like their name implies, modified for extra comfort.
    * Hybrid: Hybrids have tall, skinny tires and tend to have lighter frames than comfort bikes. Like comforts, their handlebars let riders sit taller. They work well in city situations.

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