3 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Buying A Bike

This article is about a few of the most common bicycle categories and how to choose the right style of bike for a beginner as well as an average cyclist. By answering three basic questions, it should help you to pick a suitable bike or at least narrow your search.

It doesn’t matter if it is your new year’s resolution or if you want to upgrade your 30-year-old bike that has been sitting in the shed since last summer. Choosing a new bike is a serious business.

In this article, we will get through the most common types of bikes, all available at 360 Cycles.

Before going through the features and Pros and Cons of the different styles, we will answer some questions to help you find your perfect match.

Question 1: What am I going to use my bike for?

The desired use of our new bike is quite important. You should clearly know what you want to do with it, as each bike has a purpose and choosing the wrong bike could make your ride less enjoyable. For example, you could do a 5km run with a pair of slippers, but wouldn’t it be much easier with a pair of runners?

So take your time and consider what your bike will be used for most. Some examples:

• Commuting

• Mountain biking

• Road cycling

• Touring

• Gravel

Note: You might also want to do more than one of the above with one bike and will be pleased to know that some models are developed to be suitable for various purposes.

QUESTION 2: What budget should I set for my new bike?

So this could be tricky as the price is dictated by the kind of bike, materials, components used, etc. The more you spend, the higher the quality bike and its components will be. The better the components, the more enjoyable the ride will be, and the parts will last much longer than those on an entry-level bike. Entry-level bikes tend to be made from low-quality steel instead of aluminium. These bikes will be much slower than those made from lightweight aluminium or carbon. 

You may find a road bike and a hybrid bike with the same gear components, but the pricing will often be higher for the road bike. This is because road bikes will be engineered to be lighter and faster. At the same time, a hybrid bike will be an all-rounder style for commuting and/or exercising, requiring it to be stronger and, therefore, heavier. 

With your budget in mind, our knowledgeable staff at 360 Cycles is more than happy to provide you with tailored recommendations. Alternatively, you can also seek advice from your trusted local bike shop for personalised suggestions. Your cycling journey is important to us, and we're dedicated to assisting you in making the right choice.

In Ireland, most employers offer the Cycle To Work Scheme. This program encourages a healthier lifestyle through cycling and allows you to conveniently acquire your ideal bike and accessories. The upper limit covered by the scheme is €3,000 for cargo and ecargo bikes, €1,500 for pedelecs and e-bikes and €1,250 for other bicycles.*

QUESTION 3: Am I telling the truth?

People can be attracted to a bike design over its functionality, especially those getting into cycling with their first “good” bike. So make sure you are not choosing a bike for how it looks but for what you will do with it.

For example, the aesthetic of a mountain bike with its suspension and the chunky tires could be quite appealing to some, but if you plan to commute every day on the tarmac, these features will inevitably slow you down, and your ride will be more challenging than it needs to be. 

The same question can be asked about the parts that the bike is equipped with. Gears, brakes, wheels, frame and fork materials could influence the final price of a bike. For example, an entry-level road bike for around €800 can be found, whereas a top-end one could cost over €10,000. So if you are not planning to race the Tour de France next year, the only thing you will enjoy from an ultra-light €10k bike is the envy of your cycle club mates. 

With all questions answered...

Now that you’ve answered these questions, we will highlight the most common bike types. Disclaimer: The following list shows some pros and cons of some styles; however, every manufacturer develops bikes with their specification, so it’s always recommended to follow the seller’s advice when it comes to comparing specific models. 

MOUNTAIN BIKES

USE: Off-road / Trail

FEATURES: Suspension, chunky tyres (2”/2.5” wide), a wide bar for an agile cornering

PROS: Developed to go through the toughest terrain. Wheels and suspension will absorb most of the harshness of a trail.

CONS: Heavy. The components that make the bike comfortable off-road will make the bike slower on the road. 

Merida Big Seven 20D Hardtail Mountain Bike 2022

ROAD BIKES

USE: Exercise / Road racing / Fast commuting

FEATURES: Lightweight frame and fork, narrow tyres (25/28mm), and a drop bar that allow you to maintain control at any speed

PROS: Lighter. Stiffer. Easy to gain and maintain a high speed

CONS: Not recommended for off-road use. The bike itself and the ride position are more aggressive than other bike models. The kind of components on the bike make this model slightly more expensive than others.

Merida Scultura 400 Rim Brake Road Bike 2022

HYBRID BIKES

USE: Commuting / Traveling / Recreational / Exercise

FEATURES: wider tyres than a road bike (35/40mm). Frame designed to allow full-length mudguards and carriers. Upright riding position. 

PROS: upright position is quite comfortable. Tyres are wide enough to absorb a good part of the bumps on the road without slowing down the bike too much.

CONS: If you are planning to evolve your use from commuting to training, the bike will show its limit at some point

Merida Speeder 300d Lightweight City Fitness Bike 2022

GRAVEL/ADVENTURE BIKES

USE: Gravel/ Training / Commuting / Travel

FEATURES: Frame designed to shift between use. It can easily allow different kinds of tyres, from 28mm road tyres to 47mm (almost mountain bike tyres). Drop handlebar with flare ends for perfect control on and off-road.

PROS: All-in-one. It could be used for multiple purposes without limiting the rider. 

CONS: More expensive than road or hybrid bikes with the same components. 

Merida Silex 200 Gravel Adventure Bike 2022

FOLDABLE BIKES

USE: Commuting

FEATURES: Foldable frame. 20” or 16” wheels. Aimed at shorter cycles and from bus/train stations or to fold easily and place in the boot of a car. 

PROS: Perfect bike if part of your commute includes a train ride or a bus ride. The foldable mechanism will allow you to carry the bike around without problems.

CONS: More expensive than the same-level hybrid bikes. The small wheel size is harder to maintain speed compared to a hybrid or road bike. 

Tern Link B8 Disc 20w Folding Bike

ELECTRIC BIKES

USE: Commuting/ Recreational

FEATURES: Electric motor that will help you during your ride

PROS: They will give you that “one gear extra” that you might need. You will be able to commute with minimal effort.

CONS: Expensive compared to a regular bike. Considerably heavier than non electric assisted bikes, up to 26kg (Some brands such as Cannondale have dramatically reduced this price to approx 17kg).

Tenways CGO 600 Pro Single Speed Electric City Bike

So now hopefully you have a better idea about the different types of bikes available and will know which one should suit you best. It is still very important to test-ride your chosen style. We are always more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

_{* Please note that the maximum amounts covered by the scheme have recently been updated, June 2023.}