So there you are in your local bike shop and they are asking lots of scary technical questions about what sort of bike you want. Don’t panic, we are all friends here….

Hopefully you have watched my last film which covered the importance of a bike fitting. The next thing to think about is how much you want to spend on a bike.


This is really a decision about frame material and the quality of the components which will be attached to that frame. It’s also a balancing act between cost, weight, stiffness and comfort

In ascending order of cost, the choice of frame materials are steel, aluminium, (or al-loo-min-um for our american chums) carbon and titanium.

Steel frames are the heaviest. They produce a solid, stiff ride but can be a little bumpy.

Aluminium frames are much lighter but aren’t as solid. They produce a more comfortable ride as they absorb road chatter but this can also mean that some of the energy you are putting in to the pedals can be lost in the frame.

Carbon frames are lighter still and are generally stiffer. This means that while they allow for a better transfer of energy, they can also feel slightly more uncomfortable.

Finally, titanium is the lightest of all and produce smoother rides with good energy transfer.


For the components, most bikes will come with complete set of drivetrain, brakes and wheels that will reflect the price and quality of the frame. Essentially, they will all do exactly the same thing, what you are actually paying for is the weight. If your budget allows, always go for the highest spec’d, lightest components.

The gears themselves can also be a bit of a mystery but at their most basic they are there to help you pedal at a consistent rate.

The first thing to look out for are the front chainrings: are they a double or triple set? Most road bikes come with two chainrings as standard but if you live in a very hilly area or feel you might struggle on the climbs, you may want to think about buying a triple.

Similarly, double chainrings come on two flavours: Standard and Compact; the difference being the smaller of the two rings. On a standard set this has 38 or 39 teeth while on a compact it can have between 34 and 36 teeth. Fewer teeth on the smaller chainring makes pedalling lighter and will make climbing easier.

Finally, the rear cassette will have 9, 10 or 11 cogs. This is also referred to as 'speeds'. The more cogs or speeds you have, the broader the gear ratio. This will allow you to ride faster on the flats and downhills and pedal easier on the climbs.

Nowadays, the price of a new bike generally doesn't include the cost of the pedals so this is something that will need some consideration.

If you want to get the most out of your new bike it is worth considering clipless ones. There are several different systems that all require cycling shoes and a brand specific cleat on the sole which attaches the shoe and the rider to the pedal. This may sound a little daunting at first but, trust me, it will become second nature very quickly.

The benefits of being physically attached to the pedal are smoother pedalling and an energy saving of around 30%.

Of course, if you aren't quite ready for clipless, just stick with flat pedals and regular sports shoes.

Finally, you'll probably have several options of potential bikes that you could buy. You don't have to make a decision there and then. By all means go home and look at on line reviews, even return to the shop and ask for a test ride if you need one. Once you have weighed up everything and its time to make a decision, it may just boil down to emotions; which bike do you simply like the look of?

All things considered, buying a bike should be an emotional decision. It should be fun. After all, you are buying something that, hopefully, you will enjoy and that will give you many years of pleasure.




If you would like to follow my efforts on the bike you can follow me on Strava. My profile is here: [ Ссылка ]

You are also very welcome to join my virtual cycling club on Strava. By sharing our rides we can help and encourage each other to reach our fitness goals.

You can join the club here: [ Ссылка ]

and the Chernobyl Cycling Club Facebook group here:
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