General information > Tips and Guides > The guides > Choosing the right bike
The perfect bike does not exist, it all depends on what you use it for, in the city or in the countryside, for daily or occasional use, a short trip or long rides. Some characteristics are to be taken into account before deciding.
You have to ask yourself the right questions in order to find the right model. Discover our bike guide which will allow you to understand the specificity of each of the bikes presented in order to guide you in your purchase.
In town, in the countryside, in the mountains, for daily or occasional use, you will have trouble finding the bike that allows you to combine all these practices while guaranteeing maximum comfort for each of them.
Choosing a bike is starting par answer many questions to which our cycling guide provides answers.
If there is only one way to pedal, you will find a very large number of bicycles with very varied technical specificities. Do you ride in the city, in the countryside, in the mountains? Do you plan to ride regularly, over long distances? You must first clearly identify your needs and then choose your bike.
If you want to go to work by bike, go shopping, see your friends, while staying on the road, the city bike is for you.
Typically, these bikes come with large wheels and fairly thin tires, which is perfect for smooth and easy riding on asphalt. You can attach a basket or panniers to carry your belongings, the bike is comfortable and often well equipped. City bikes should be practical and efficient. The urban bike is suitable for people looking for a comfortable bike.
This model meets 4 criteria:
- a low bike frame with a fairly high handlebar, which allows a straight position. This also makes it easier to step over the bike, very practical for frequent stops at a traffic light or a “stop†sign, or transporting a child on a seat placed on the door - rear luggage.
- a luggage rack to put a bag or a basket on the back or the front of the bike. Indeed, it may be easier to transport your computer, par example, in a bag rather than on your back (tend to sweat less). You can also store a small breakdown kit or rain gear there. Placing your personal effects in a satchel rather than a backpack also helps you keep your mobility and your balance.
- a front suspension (on the fork), which gives you additional comfort in town, to overcome speed bumps, sidewalks and potholes.
- electric assistance (VAE) to make journeys simply, without having this phenomenon of perspiration when you arrive in the morning at the office or for an appointment.
Mountain bikes usually have a front fork and no rear suspension. The front fork allows a certain comfort by absorbing the roughness of the ground. The rigid fork is lighter, but also less expensive.
Mountain bikes are subjected to severe tests and must be ultra solid. It's a bike that can be used on all types of terrain, while the road bike is intended for riding on asphalt, for racing and competition, par example.
The selection criteria will focus on the shape of the frame, the type of gear desired, the weight and the electric assistance or not. Regarding the touring bike, the choice of a good saddle is also a point of attention. As a cyclist, it is important that you are well installed during to hold on the length.
Choose instead a mountain bike with disc brakes, which are more efficient than "v-brake" brakes on big descents, and a mountain bike with large suspensions at the front and rear.
The road bike generally has 700 wheels (which corresponds to 28 inches) and very thin tires, to limit friction on the bitumen, and thus be able to ride faster and more easily while maintaining good road holding.
The bike must have many gears with a single or double chainring to be able to pedal and ride at your own pace in any climb or descent.
Race and road bikes are made for those who want to exercise while going far and fast.
The saddles are thin to be comfortable for long rides. Finally, the weight of the bicycle is one of the most important data, the lighter a bicycle, the easier it will be to launch it and accelerate. Lightness also comes at a significant cost, for the best and most demanding of you there are carbon bike frames, both strong and light , but also much more expensive than the aluminum that equips classic road bikes.
If you ride in the city or in the countryside, ride the bitumen and the small paths, the hybrid bike is the bike for you.
For those who want both to play sports, but above all to have fun without getting exhausted during bike rides, the VTC will take you everywhere, it is the versatile bike.
A new kind of road bike “hybride†is booming: Gravel. Derived from cyclocross, it allows you to get off the traditional roads and thus afford a shortcut across fields on a dirt road or a getaway on paved roads. It stands out from other road bikes par a reinforced frame, an ultra-compact geometry, a wider road handlebar, disc brakes and specific reinforced tires. The drivetrain is generally compact (34x50 chainrings and 11-32 tooth cassette), but some models offer specific ratios close to those of MTB.
Steel, aluminium, carbon, titanium... The choice of the material for your bike but also of all its components (fork, frame, wheels, pedals, handlebars) will be based on different axes. It will then be necessary to make a choice between rigidity, lightness but also resistance to rust. Finally, the price is a major element that often defines the range of bikes on which we will base our choice.
Aluminum is light, resists corrosion very well and is more rigid than steel. There is no photo we feel a real difference in pedaling. Its big defect is that the limited elasticity of this material causes premature aging of the frame.
Carbon is the only non-metallic material used for the design of a bicycle frame, especially for road bikes or triathlon bikes. Carbon is the premium material that offers the best performance and pleasant comfort on your frame. On the other hand, carbon bikes are relatively expensive and have lower impact resistance.
Riding a titanium bike is not common. Indeed this material is by far the most expensive. It will give you the best ratio between weight and power. Very rigid in nature, it will resist shocks very well and will not rust.
A semi-rigid frame: The fork as the only suspension, you will be able to filter out obstacles and benefit from the most optimal steering. It is often the preferred choice of bike frame for a first purchase. In addition, it offers non-negligible advantages such as good lightness and good liveliness. Finally, the latest design technologies and also the size of the wheels have brought great comfort to these bikes so that you will be just as comfortable on rolling terrain as on steeper terrain.
A hanging frame: The bike features front and rear suspension with ever-expanding technology. Par definition these are models for the most experienced mountain bikers looking for downhill sensations but also for those looking for general comfort.
One of the important criteria for choosing the right bike is the shape of the frame. This will determine your position on the bike.
The 3 main shapes of bicycle frames:
- open frame – upright position: ideal for use in town, having frequent stops and for easily weaving through traffic.
- trapeze frame – semi-recumbent position: suitable for slightly longer journeys.
- high frame – very recumbent position: perfect for sporty use (mountain biking or road cycling).
A bicycle is a piece of equipment on which you will spend a lot of time. Still, it's important to choose the frame size that's right for you.
It is important to choose the right size of bike, to be comfortable on it, to feel comfortable, safe and to have fun riding.
To choose the right size bike, you need:
- Know the size of the cyclist and that of his legs (for each bike, there is a size guide).
- Ideally, try out the bike and seek advice from an expert.
- Take into account your intensity of use and the comfort you want on the bike, car intensive use requires a bike appropriate to your measurements.
- Know if your bike will be shared or not. It will be necessary to opt for an intermediate size, with the ability to quickly adjust the height of the saddle and the handlebars.
This chart will give you the ideal frame size based on your height and leg length:
Rider size | Crotch | Road Cycling | MTB |
152 to 162 cm | 68 to 74 cm | 48 cm | 38 cm |
163 to 164 cm | 75 cm | 50 cm | 41 cm |
165 to 168 cm | 76 to 78 cm | 52 cm | 41 cm |
169 to 174 cm | 79 to 81 cm | 53 cm | 44 cm |
175 to 178 cm | 82 cm | 54 cm | 46 cm |
179 to 180 cm | 84 cm | 54 cm | 50 cm |
181 to 182 cm | 86 cm | 56 cm | 50 cm |
183 to 186 cm | 88 cm | 56 cm | 52 cm |
187 to 188 cm | 90 cm | 58 cm | 52 cm |
189 to 192 cm | 91 cm | 60 cm | 55 cm |
193 to 200 cm | 94 cm | 62 cm | 55 cm |
To summarize our guide, choosing the right bike involves 5 criteria:
• Your practice.
• The type of bike you want.
• Your size.
• Your budget.
FINDEZ ALL OUR PARTS ET ONGOING ACCESSAIRS FOR YOUR BIKE ON 50FACTORY.COM