Beginner's Guide to Buying a Bicycle

Ernest Hemingway explained why he explored places by bicycle instead of a motorized vehicle:

You learn the most about the face of a country by cycling. Because you have to pedal and sweat, overcome countless difficulties to conquer hills, and then freely descend them. This way, you remember everything exactly as it was. However, when you travel by car, only the highest peaks impress you, and you cannot remember the lands you passed through as well as you could by bicycle. If you tour a country by car instead of a bicycle, your memories will not be very clear.

If you consider this not just for a country, but for life in general, the situation remains the same. We do it, so we know: reaching the summit of a hill while cycling shows you that the moment you're drenched in sweat is a victory, and what you can achieve. Or, you see how easy it is to smile and greet those people you wouldn't normally acknowledge at the market or bank when you both encounter each other cycling.

This isn't just about sports or transportation; when cycling is viewed as a life experience, you better grasp the richness it can bring. Of course, don't just go out and buy one and start riding immediately. At least, don't do it without knowing what to get. :)

What are the types of bicycles?

1- Mountain Bike: For Those Who Say "I Conquer Mountains and Hills"

Who among us didn't ride like crazy! Kids of a certain era even collected newspaper coupons for a mountain bike, but as the name suggests, it's a "Mountain Bike." Although we're used to seeing them in the city, they are more suitable for rocky, dusty roads and rough terrain. Their thick tires reduce vibration but require more effort. You can find them with 26'', 27.5'', and 29'' wheel diameters.

2- City Bike: For Those Who Say "No Need for Adventure"

If you say, "I'll use it to commute to work and for urban transportation," then city bikes with fenders on the wheels and a basket in front are for you. You'll sit in an upright position, making it comfortable, and thanks to its asphalt-friendly tires, you won't exert much effort. But don't expect much performance from it either. With a 29'' wheel diameter, it also allows you to cover more ground with a single pedal stroke.

3) Road / Race Bike: For Those Who Say "No Comfort, Just Go Go Go"

First of all, calm down, champ: This bike might be a bit much for a first-timer. It's perfectly suited for long tours, but the moment you think about going off-road a little, those thin tires are very prone to punctures, which can make it difficult. However, its 28'' thin tires, aerodynamic design, and riding position allow for fast and long-distance travel.

4) Gravel Bikes: For Those Who Say "I'll Go Off-Road"

If you're thinking of getting a little dusty and dirty while using it in the city from time to time, then a gravel bike is for you. With tires that are thicker than a road bike's but thinner than a city bike's, it allows you to ride on both asphalt and roads with some gravel and sand. Its 28'' wheels also allow you to go faster with less performance.

5) Touring Bike: For Those Who Say "I Can't Stop Traveling"

Touring bikes are perfect for you. Attach your bags, load your belongings, pack your tent, and travel as you please. They differ from city bikes by having luggage racks that can be attached to the front and rear of the frame and being more durable. You can load a lot of weight, but more weight means you'll need to exert more effort. With a 28'' wheel diameter and an upright riding position, they are comfortable.

6) Hybrid Bike: For Those Who Say "I Travel, But Not Much"

If you want to load your luggage and go for a short tour, as well as use it in the city, then Hybrid bikes are for you. Of course, don't think of an electric bike. This type is called "Hybrid" more in the sense of "Mixed." With 28'' wheels, comfort with an upright riding position, the possibility of speed, and the advantage of being able to attach a small luggage rack, it's ideal for you.

7) Folding Bike: For Those Who Say "Let It Come Everywhere With Me"

You'll use it in the city, but you'll also put it in the trunk of your car or on public transport from time to time, right? Then a folding bike is for you. The narrow handlebars make control a bit more difficult compared to other types. The wheel diameter varies between 16'', 20'', 24'', and 26'', but 20'' is the most preferred. Since the frame folds, it can even be carried by hand. Gear ranges are limited. Still, it provides an ideal ride for urban use.

Other Bicycle Types

As we said at the beginning, there are many. Up to this point, we've covered the main ones preferred for transportation, sports, and travel. Besides these, let's briefly touch upon other types:

Downhill MTB Bikes: You've probably come across them on social media; those who descend crazy slopes, pedaling over bumps and hills in forests, those are the bikes they use. They are heavy but suitable for completely rough terrain.

Triathlon Bikes: Designed to cover a lot of distance in a short time. Comfort is not a priority. Preferred for large tours.

Fat Bikes: Produced for riding on snowy, sandy terrains. They have thicker tires than mountain bikes.

Fixie Bikes: Generally, they don't have brakes. When the pedal is turned in the opposite direction, the rear wheel also moves, which acts as a kind of brake. However, this is not as easy as it sounds and is different from the "back-pedal" technique.

Cyclocross Bikes: They have a different braking system because they are produced with muddy terrain races in mind. There are also models that are used as both road and touring bikes.

Tandem Bikes: These are bikes ridden by two people at the same time. The performance balance of the partners is important for riding.

Recumbent Bikes: These are bicycles ridden in a reclined position. In this sense, they are incredibly comfortable. They are also preferred by those who go on world tours.

BMX Bikes: These are bikes used and preferred by those who perform acrobatic movements with bicycles, known as Freestyle.

What should you pay attention to when buying a bicycle?

Now that you have a better idea about bicycle types, let's talk about what you should pay attention to when buying a bicycle.

1) What Should Be the Size?

The unchangeable and non-adjustable part of a bicycle, usually triangular in shape, is called the "Frame." First and foremost, the sturdiness of this part is a very important criterion in bicycle selection. In fact, we can say: equipment or frame; frame. Because no matter how much equipment you put on a bike with a poor frame, the performance will be low. So, what about the size? The size has nothing to do with your weight. The height of the bicycle depends on your inseam length. The length from your groin to your heel and height compatibility:

• Up to 75 cm, S, meaning 15 – 16'' or smaller frame,
• Up to 85 cm, M, meaning 16-17'' frame,
• Up to 90 cm, L, meaning 17-18'' frame,
• For over 90 cm, XL, meaning 19 – 20'' or larger frame should be chosen.

2) What is Your Riding Purpose?

We explained all those types, produced and functionally differentiated to suit all the needs or desires we just realized, so you can answer this question. Choosing the right bike for your purpose will motivate you in terms of comfort, effort, and performance. But if you try to climb mountains and hills with a folding bike, you'll be disappointed!

3) Ready-Made Bicycle or Assembled Bicycle?

The "assembly" method, familiar from computers, also applies to bicycles. You can buy the bicycle's rim, tire, brake, saddle, handlebars, etc., by assembling them. However, this may require more research, effort, and ultimately much higher cost than you think. Therefore, if you are just starting with cycling, choosing a ready-made bicycle would be better.

4) Suspension or Rigid Fork?

This depends on your choice between comfort and weight. If you want comfort, you should accept an extra 1-2 kg of weight and choose a bicycle with suspension. If weight should not be too much for you, then you should look at models with a rigid fork.

5) How Should the Gear System Be?

How many gears should it have, which of the 8-9-10 systems should it be? The deciding factor here will be your riding route. Will you primarily ride on flat roads, or will you conquer mountains and hills? Flat roads don't require a very wide gear range. In off-road conditions, this can change. Therefore, it's better to determine this before deciding on the gear system or how many gears it should have.

6) How Much Budget Should You Allocate?

We'll say it varies between 100 liras and 100,000, but don't think we're exaggerating. Many factors, such as the materials used, equipment, features, and brand, affect the price. Of course, the performance of a 10,000 TL bicycle is very different from that of a 1,000 TL bicycle, but the right question here is: How much performance do you need? Especially for the beginner stage. Also, remember that instead of spending your entire bicycle budget on the bike itself, you should allocate a portion of it for equipment. Although it might seem otherwise, a bicycle is a vehicle that should not be used without equipment.

7) Should You Test the Bike Before Buying?

Yes. No matter where you buy it, even a short, few-minute test ride will give you a lot of insight into the riding experience. For this reason, trying the bike, and therefore going to buy it in person instead of ordering online, would be the healthiest option.

We tried to answer as many questions as possible, but there are many things to consider individually, from the braking system to the saddle. If we were to go into detail on this, we would need to write just as much again. For now, we hope this information will help you get started.

We're ending the article with Queen's Bicycle Race song. But don't stop here; choose your bike, and hit the road.