Looking for a new bike? The world of bikes has become more and more complex, with road, gravel, mountain, cruiser, hybrid and fixi being just a few of the many types of bicycles now available on the market. So where do you start? Fortunately, our team at Reckless is well versed in the variety of bicycles types, and have helped many customers over the years find their perfect bike. So lets get started with the basics:
TERRAIN AND SKILL LEVEL
Knowing where you plan on riding is the first step; hilly verses flat terrain, loose gravel, compact or pavement. Even off-road terrain can vary by a fair bit. This will impact frame choice, suspension verses rigid, as well as tire choice.
More novice riders typically prefer a more up-right riding position, and experienced riders will often prefer drop-bars. If you're not sure, we encourage you to stop by and test both frame types!
SIZE
A bike that fits well is a bike that gets ridden! Like a pair of shoes, a poorly fitting bike will be uncomfortable. First rule; we have you stand over the frame, to ensure you safely fit over the top tube. Limited clearance means risk of injury, and the bike is too big.
Next we raise the seat to a comfortable position (more on that later). If the seat reaches its maximum position, the bike would be considered too small. The perfect fit is a frame you safely fit over, with the seat post being near its middle point of adjustment.
GEARS
Everyone wants to know how MANY gears a bike has, but what is more important to know, what are the ratios? In brief, gear ratio is the size relationship between the rear cog (gear) and the front chain ring (also a type of gear). This will affect how easy it is to climb, and on the other end, how fast you are on the flats.
A big chain ring combined with a small cog is for maximum speed, but sluggish up hill. On the other end of the chain, so to speak, a small chain ring with a bigger cog results in a strong climbing bike, but on flats will be difficult to pedal (at high speed you can only coast).
The number of gears - chain rings up front, cogs in the back - will determine how many variations you will have to work with. More gears simply means more ratios to fine tune you riding needs. Our staff can help you analyze your riding style and terrain choices, to ensure you get the best combination to meet your needs.
TIRES
With so many available sizes and tread patterns, tires can be daunting to sift through. Road and race bikes will have narrow, smooth, high-pressure tires for maximum grip. On the other extreme, mountain bike tires are big, round, low-pressure, and heavy on tread for maximum grip in mud and gravel.
For the rest of us in the middle, MOST tires you find on hybrid and commuter bikes are all round general tires that can handle MOST terrain you will find in and around the metro areas. The good news, tires are easily swapped out, so don't choose your bike based on tires! Reckless stocks a wide variety of tires; up-dating your bike is not a problem!
SADDLE HEIGHT
How your saddle is positioned has a BIG impact on comfort and especially power.
With a saddle that is too low, your legs are not able to fully extend, and you are not able to get maximum power from each leg stroke. While this may seem easier and more comfortable, on a longer ride you quickly develop muscle strain as a result.
When a saddle is too high, it becomes difficult to mount and dismount from the bike. Your legs will also be "reaching" for the pedal at the bottom of the stroke, which robs you of power in the opposite way of a saddle that is too low.
So how do you find the optimum height? Our team of bike experts at Reckless have fitted countless riders from novice to advance. Our technique starts with eyeballing the height of the saddle against your hip, as well as assessing your skill and comfort level. Riding the bike, we look at the angle of your legs and body in a neutral position, using feedback from the rider, adjustments are made.
If you are really serious about riding, and are a perfectionist, using an online saddle-height calculator will really help you dial it in. This great video from Global Cycling Network is an excellent resource if you would like to go to the next level.
Visit us in Yaletown, Shipyards or Kitsilano. We would love to show you our bikes and dive deeper into finding the perfect bike.