Unfortunately, just as for many other things, when it comes to buying a bike, quality has a price. As a general rule, the more you pay, the better the bike. It’s up to you to find the right balance between what you need, what you want and what your wallet can take! You should expect to spend at least $250 for a new bike. If you haven’t gone bike shopping for a while, you may want to take a look around a store to get an idea of current prices. Finally, you’ll find your shopping will go much easier if you’ve already established your price range.

This is probably the most important step when purchasing a new bike. The biggest challenge? Answering the question “How am I going to use this bike?” honestly. All too often, people get carried away in the store, only to realize later that they did not buy the right bike for their particular needs. In this way, many a mountain bike has never seen a hillside trail, but spent its time negotiating the bike paths of city neighbourhoods.

The questions you should ask yourself include the following: Will I go mountain biking? If yes, will I venture off onto the more rugged trails, or will I simply stick to gravel roads or unpaved bike paths? Am I going to use my bike for transportation purposes, for getting to work or running errands in my neighbourhood? Do I plan on going on a bike trip and pedalling around the country, carrying my baggage in a pannier or two or using a trailer? Do I want the high performance of a racing bike? Does watching the Tour de France spur me to head out on long rides on Canada’s country roads?

Depending on your answers to these questions, you’ll be sure to discover that one type of bike will suit your needs better than the others.

As the name indicates, these bikes are designed for off-road trips. They are rugged—without doubt, the sturdiest of all the types on the market—and feature wide, knobby tires and powerful brakes. Furthermore, since less comes with more, they are also able to handle on-road trips. Some people would even maintain that they are the ideal bikes for braving some of Canada’s post-winter roads and their many potholes.

On the other hand, their wide tires are less effective on asphalt and your calves will have to work a little harder to propel yourself along. Moreover, they are heavier than hybrid- or racing-type bikes, a characteristic you will certainly notice on climbs. For these reasons, anyone who chooses this type of bike, only to use it exclusively on paved roads or bike paths, could end up disappointed with his or her purchase.

Mountain bikes usually have a suspension. Some come equipped with front suspension only, which generally makes them lighter, easier to maintain and more affordable than models featuring full front and rear suspension.

However, mountain bikes with rear suspension offer thrill-seekers real advantages in terms of performance, allowing riders to go faster and enjoy more comfort and control.

In some ways, this type of bike is a streamlined version of a mountain bike. Like its bigger cousin, it has flat handlebars, which place the cyclist in a comfortable position. Certain models are equipped with front suspension, others not. Hybrids can be distinguished from all-terrain bikes by their larger-diameter wheels and narrower tires. They are also slightly lighter, which makes climbs easier. Thanks to these features, hybrid bikes provide markedly better performance on paved roads than mountain bikes. They can also comfortably handle bicycle trails that are covered with fine gravel, as well as venture a few off-road excursions on moderately rugged terrain. This is the ideal model for recreational biking or for those who want to ride their bike to work or when doing their shopping. The more adventurous among you will also find it perfect for bike trips.

This type is strictly designed for riding on roads. Narrow tires and drop handlebars that place the rider in a more aerodynamic position make these bikes clearly superior on pavement. Best suited to those looking for optimum performance, it’s the frame of choice for competitive cyclists, triathletes and those who simply like nothing better than a good long bike ride out on the road. A number of bike trippers also prefer these models. Obviously, however, this type of bike is somewhat more fragile and does not stand up so well to roads in bad condition.

Once you have identified your needs, made your decision as to what type of bike would best suit you and determined your budget, you’ll be ready to make your trip to the store. Feel free to ask the salespeople for guidance—they have been trained to help you and answer your questions. Take the time to try out the model you are considering buying to make sure that it is the right size and has a comfortable saddle. After all, if you are uncomfortable on a bike after only a few minutes of pedalling around a store, just think what torture a long bike ride could turn out to be! Finally, don’t hesitate to ask the staff to explain how the bike’s gear-change mechanism and brakes work before leaving the store with your new purchase.