I frequently encounter people who are interested in buying a bicycle, but are at a total loss of where to begin. Who can blame them? There are so many brands, categories, models, and variations, it’s impressive that even serious cyclists can make a decision. That doesn’t even take into account the possibilities of buying a used bicycle. This absurd number of options puts people into a state of analysis paralysis. They can delay or put off the purchase entirely. Then the world has one fewer cyclist.

Years ago I developed a handy list of seven rules to help anyone in this situation get past the confusion and make the choice easier. I typically only share this advice when the question arises. I thought it would be worthwhile to share it publicly in case it can help even one person.

To be clear, this advice is for people who are not already experienced cyclists who have an idea of what they need and want. This advice is for people who are relatively new to cycling and are looking to purchase their first or second bicycle.

TL;DR

The only reason to buy a bicycle is to ride that bicycle. Regardless of any other factors, a bicycle that collects dust without being ridden is a sad waste of money. A person who wants to ride a bicycle, but does not have one, is equally sad. With that in mind, these are the seven rules for choosing a bicycle. By following these guidelines a person will choose a bicycle that they have the highest probability of riding.

1. Choose a bicycle that you can afford at this exact moment.
2. Choose a bicycle that you really like.
3. Choose a bicycle that fits properly and is comfortable to ride.
4. Choose a bicycle that is assembled properly, well maintained, and in good working order.
5. Choose a bicycle that has all the standard safety accessories such as bells, lights, etc. Add them if they are missing.
6. Choose a bicycle that has at least a few gears, and learn to use them. No single speeds bikes.
7. Choose a bicycle as soon as possible.

And now, the longer version.

Affordability

People often fall in love with a very expensive bicycle that they can not afford without saving considerable amounts of money. While they save money they sit at home when they could be out riding. What’s more, some people save up to buy a bike only to find out they don’t like cycling at all. What an expensive way to learn that lesson! It would be much better to find that out after making a smaller investment. No matter how much money a person has, there is a bicycle they can afford today. There are even non-profits that give out free bicycles.

What if someone gets the cheap bicycle, finds they love cycling, and regrets not getting the more expensive option? That’s actually a great situation to be in. Now they can continue riding the cheaper bike while they save for the fancy one. The cheap bike can later be resold to contribute to the purchase of the new one, or it can be saved as a backup. It doesn’t hurt to have two bikes. I have two bikes.

Cool Factor

A person sees a bike that they think is really cool. They gravitate towards it. Just seeing it makes them excited to ride it. If that bicycle were in the person’s home, they would see it often, and want to ride often. The end result would be lots more bike riding. Conversely, if the person sees the bicycle and thinks it is ugly and dorky, they are not going to want to ride it. Even if something superficial, like the color, detracts from the motivation to ride, then it’s the wrong bicycle for that person. Ideally everyone should have the same feelings for their bicycle that Pee-Wee Herman has for his.

Comfort and Fit

People come in many shapes and sizes, and so bicycles come in many shapes and sizes to accommodate. If someone rides a bicycle and is uncomfortable for any reason, they will not forget that. When that person thinks about riding their bicycle they will recall the pain and discomfort of their previous outings. Motivation to ride again will be completely obliterated. When thinking of bicycling a person should only recall the joy of riding.

It is very important that a person choose a bicycle that is the right fit for their body. If a person can not afford a professional to help size them up, that’s ok. Most bicycle shops offer fittings for free for anyone who purchases a bike from them. Worst case, all that is needed is a tape measure and a bit of research on YouTube to figure out which size is correct, how to adjust the seat height, etc.

Good Working Order

A bike that is broken in any way is a bicycle that will not bring joy to its rider. Even if a bicycle has a very small mechanical problem, like the gear indexing being a little bit off, that will create an annoyance. Much like a poor fitting bike, memories of riding this bike will be tarnished, and the likelihood of future rides will be diminished. And of course if a bicicle is in an unsafe or unusable state, it is self-evident that it will not be ridden.

One would hope that this concern would only apply when buying bicycles secondhand, and that any brand new bicycle will be in perfect working order. That is sadly not the case. Often people buy cheap bicycles from large retail stores rather than specialty bike shops. These big box retail bikes are often assembled by amateurs or by the consumer. The result is improper assembly. It is important to havean expert confirm the bicycle is in perfect condition before riding.

Safety

Some people scoff at bicycle safety features like reflectors, lights, bells, etc. regardless of whether they are required by law. Including them on the bike can harm the cool factor, and might even slightly decrease the motivation to ride. However, if a person is injured, they will be physically unable to ride. A perfectly functioning bike does no good to a person with a broken leg. Every safety feature of a bicycle that reduces chance of injury increases the amount of time spend riding.

Gears

This may be the most controversial rule, especially among cyclists, but I stand by it.

Fixies and single speed bikes are quite popular. A lot of it has to do with their simplicity and style. I actually agree they are aesthetically superior, but I will still never buy one. Function wins out over form in this case.

For fixies specifically, they are a safety risk on the streets, even if they have brakes. A track bike is only for track cycling. This guide is not for cyclists who are going to be riding on a velodrome.

If someone is dead set on a non-fixed single speed bike, fine. A bike with one speed is much better than no bike at all. Even so, I still strongly recommend getting a bicycle with at least a few gears. It doesn’t have to be some ridiculous 2x12 drivetrain. Even a mere three speeds is enough for the vast majority of riders.

Most people do not enjoy riding uphill, for obvious reasons. Having gears and knowing how to use them properly makes riding uphill dramatically easier. This can significantly reduce the dread someone might feel at the thought of biking on a hilly route. Less dread means more riding.

Even on completely flat terrain, gears can still be useful. The elevation might be consistent, but humans are not. A person may be feeling fresh and full of energy early in the morning after breakfast. The same person heading home late at night will be fatigued. Having the option to change the difficulty of pedaling to match the person’s current condition mitigates the risk of choosing not to ride when in a lazy mood.

Riding ASAP

Every day a person sits around researching and trying to decide which bike to buy is a day that is not spent riding a bicycle. The bicycle will probably cost the same next week as it does now. Getting it sooner means getting more rides out of it for the same price. Do not delay. Buy a bike today.