12 Things to Know Before Buying a Bike

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a huge surge of new cyclists started riding bikes. Some folks were learning to ride a bike for the first time ever, and some were getting back on the bike for the first time since childhood. Many called it a “boom” for cycling overall, and it was certainly one of the biggest upticks in cycling in the U.S. in several decades.

But with that rise in demand for new bikes and accessories came a shortfall in supply. The general question of how to buy a bike became more and more complicated as the pandemic rolled on. Even basic essentials like spare tubes became hard to come by.

With a dearth of options, many started scouring for used bikes to find something that worked for them. It would have been totally understandable if you became frustrated as a new cyclist who just wanted to get out on a new bike.

Thankfully, things are taking a turn for the better now, and it’s no longer impossible to find new bikes and accessories—which is great news for anyone in the market for a new ride! In fact, while 2024 may be a challenging time for the bike industry as a whole, it’s actually a great time to buy a new bike.

Even still, supply chain and inventory issues aside, walking into a bike shop and buying a new bike can be an intimidating experience, especially if it’s the first time you’re embarking on the process. To make it easier for you, we’ve compiled the top 10 things to know about buying a bike, including what to do—and not to do—when you’re shopping for that brand new bike of your dreams.

Don’t Buy Without Taking a Test Ride

There’s simply no way to really know how a bike truly fits or handles until you’ve taken it for a test ride. But try to do more than a simple pedal around the parking lot.

Some local, independent bike dealers have demo bikes you can rent or borrow for a longer period so you can spend more time really getting a sense for how the bike will feel after riding it for a while. Ask the shop about what the options are for longer test rides.

Several bike manufacturers offer free demo days at shops and parks throughout the year, which can be another great way to test ride new bikes. Work with the sales person at the shop to figure out the best option for you.

Don’t Test a Bike at a Shop, Then Buy Online

Definitely test ride a bike at your local shop and bombard the salesperson with any questions you may have. After all, they’re one of the best resources for a new cyclist, and supporting our local independent bike shops is one of the most important ways we can support our local cycling community as a whole.

But don’t take up the salesperson’s time and then use that knowledge to buy the same bike online for a few bucks less. That’s just bad form.

And whatever you do, don’t expect more free advice when you bring the bike you bought online into that same shop to fix a problem.

“Our time is worth money,” said Adam Rodkey, a manager at Bikesmiths in Bloomington, Indiana. “If I’m giving you my expertise to make someone else money, well, that’s just bad business.”

Don’t Visit Just One Shop or Test Ride Just One Bike

Brand loyalty can be a great thing when looking to buy a bike, but just because you’ve always ridden Cannondale bikes, for example, doesn’t mean you can’t experience how a Santa Cruz or a Specialized or a Trek rides.

And don’t just stick to the bigger brands. Try to seek out some smaller manufacturers and brands at local shops in your area. You’ll either reaffirm your love for the way a Cannondale rides or find a bike that you like even better. Either way, it’s a win.

Don’t Settle on a Bike

If you don’t like the way a bike handles or looks, or it doesn’t fit quite right, don’t buy it just because you’re getting a great deal. You’ll likely own the bike for several years and spend many hours on it, which means you should be really comfortable with the package you’re getting.

“A friend was buying his dream bike, a [Pinarello] Dogma, not too long ago,” says John Gatch, a mechanic for various cycling teams. “He could have gotten a black-on-black model right then, or he could wait until June and get the silver-on-black model he really wanted. He knew if he got the black-on-black Dogma, it would bother him every time he went on a ride. He didn’t want to be kicking himself, wondering why he didn’t just wait a couple of months.”

Do Engage the Bike Shop Salesperson

The web is filled with information about various bikes, so it’s easy to think you don’t need assistance. Aside from stating the obvious about not everything on the internet being true, many bike companies offer in-depth product training on their models to shop staff.

This gives them access to the latest technical information and ensures their knowledge is up to date. For the most current and accurate information, it’s best to consult the professionals

Do Ask All Your Questions

Never feel like you’re “bothering” shop staff with your questions, and don’t feel silly about asking beginner or basic questions—every cyclist was a newbie once. In fact, how the shop staff treats you during the buying process and how seriously they take empowering you with the knowledge you need to enjoy your bike for years to come speaks volumes about whether it’s the right shop for you.

“Make sure the salesperson is asking you just as many questions as you are asking them,” says Tim Mendoza, former manager at Plano Cycles in Plano, Texas. “A good shop with good staff should be trying to benefit the customer first, not just land a sale.”

Do Buy a Bike Aligns With Your Riding Goals

Be honest about the type of riding you want to do and then focus on that when bike shopping. Don’t buy a pure race bike if your goal is to ride centuries, for example.

Also, beware of any bike that needs significant modifications to work for you. Component swaps can get expensive, and large fit adjustments (like adding a stack of headset spacers or a super-long stem) can change the handling characteristics of a bike completely.

A few tweaks are fine and often a necessary part of dialing in a bike fit, but if you find that there’s a long list of things that need to be swapped out in order for the bike to fit you, shop around to see if there’s another bike that better fits your body right out of the box.

Do Remember the Accessories

Many new riders budget a certain amount for a bike, but completely forget about the accessories they’ll need, too. At the very least, make sure you also budget for a helmet, quality cycling shorts or bibs with a chamois, a floor pump with a pressure gauge, bottle cages, and bike lights.

Spare tubes, tire levers, either a small pump or CO2 inflator and cartridges and a saddle bag or handlebar bag to carry it all—essentially everything you need to fix a flat—are also must-buys. It’s important for you to be able to repair a flat while you’re out on a ride.

Do Ask About Discounts and Offers—But Don’t Haggle

Profit margins on new bikes are typically fairly small, so haggling about the price of a new bike isn’t really the way to go if you want to support a small, independent business. Buying a new bike isn’t like buying a new car.

However, a lot of bike shops offer discounts on accessories that are purchased at the time you buy your new bike and will install them at no cost. Many shops also offer a complimentary 30-day tune-up and free adjustments for a certain amount of time after you buy your bike.

Do Get a Bike Fit

Have the salesperson confirm you’re buying the right-sized bike, then make an appointment with the shop’s professional fitter to get everything dialed. Most bike shops offer some type of bike-fitting service, whether it’s an old-school set up with a plumb bob and a tape measure, a more high-tech motion-capture system, or something in between.

“Riding an ill-fitting bike is like driving a nice sports car with four of those little spare-tire doughnut wheels,” Gatch says. “You’re not only wasting watts without a good fit, you’re also risking (a repetitive stress) injury.”

A proper, in-depth bike fit generally takes several hours and is purchased as an additional service, but it’s one of the most important investments you’ll make to ensure you feel great on your new bike for miles and miles.

Do Become a Shop Regular

When you buy a bike at a shop, you’re also entering into a relationship. Your shop is one of your best sources of advice and expertise. Ideally, the shop becomes your partner and guide in the bike buying process and beyond.

Don’t know how to change a flat or properly lube your chain? See if the shop offers any maintenance clinics, or ask the shop mechanic to show you how. Many mechanics will gladly walk you through the steps of routine maintenance and basic repairs, especially during the slower winter months.

Don’t Rule Out a Custom Bike

If you’re an experienced rider who can’t seem to find a bike with the particular qualities you desire, or you have unique measurements or needs that a stock bike won’t be able to meet, consider having one custom-built for you.

After getting a client’s measurements, a frame builder should ask about your experiences with previous bikes, including what characteristics you loved and what you didn’t like; component and paint choices; and, of course, budget.

Much like having clothing tailored specifically for you, a custom bike is designed for your unique measurements and desired riding characteristics. In the end, the customer gets a gorgeous bike built exactly to his or her specifications.