Owning a bicycle is no more for a select few, in today’s environment cautious, traffic-ridden world, everyone wishes they had a bicycle for transportation, exercise, socialization, and meditation.
With so many options, choosing a bicycle could be a daunting task especially with the numerous brands, types, and sizes that litter the market.
Before you go into the bicycle shop to pick your new bike, here are a few things to consider.

Why do you need a bicycle?
Like seriously, why do you need a bicycle?
Remember the aphorism that says “if you don’t know the purpose of a thing, abuse is inevitable”? 
Well, it also applies here but with an alteration: if you don’t know your purpose for getting a bike, a mistake is inevitable.
Is it meant for recreation alone or exercise? There are mountain, road, and city bikes. If it’s for recreation, you could go for road or city bikes. Mountain bikes are equipped with fatter tires and are meant for those who drive off-road through mountainous areas or bush paths.
Furthermore, the company you’ll be driving with should also be put in perspective. You wouldn’t want to go for a bike that would cause you to lag behind during a group ride.
Now, let’s move to the most important aspect… 

Money matters
Have a mental picture of how much you’re willing to spend. You could consult various online marketplaces to verify the costs and construct a budget according to your findings.
However, the cost matters… but the use of the bike matters more. If you need a bike for a mountain race, spending money on a recreational bike would be a waste of resources. 

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Buy from a shop
In this technological age, you might be tempted to buy your bike online but this is not recommended. 
There’s always a friendly professional in the bike shop that can give you advice that might just save you from making a mistake.
Aside from that, an in-shop purchase allows you to try the bike and ensure that it’s your size. Sizes placed on bikes by manufacturers may be misleading. Don’t be fooled by the size classes like adults, children, and so on. For instance, 100cm for one brand, in many cases is different for another brand – think clothing sizes. 
The best way to avoid an error like this is to visit a bike shop, decide on a model, and make a choice on the size together with the professional in the shop.

Safety always comes first!
Your budget should include protective gear like; helmets; knee and ankle pads; and wrist guards. Protective gear should be viewed like shiny armor whose job it is to mitigate and protect you from hurting yourself and not a shiny accessory meant to inflate your costs. 
Truth be told – there will be falls. That’s when you’ll need your protective gear to come to the rescue.
Helmets have a limited lifespan. Instead of picking that helmet that has stayed for months or years in the basement, buy a new one. It may cost you but what is worth more than your safety?

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The frame matters
The frame of your bicycle is an indication of its quality. 
A cheap frame is to a bad bicycle like a faulty engine is to a bad vehicle.
Frames are made of either aluminum, carbon fiber, titanium, or steel. Each material has its pros and cons. Do your own research online or consult a bicycle shop employee to get an idea of what’s best.

The parts make the bicycle
The quality of your bicycle depends on the components. 
Instead of looking at the fancy aspects of your bike, pay attention to the Frame, Suspension, Contact points, Wheels Brakes, Shifters, and chain wheels.

Accessories are good too
Accessories add some little flair to your riding experience.
You mustn’t buy it all. Prioritize based on your needs.

Just like any buying decision, due diligence should be followed before you take the plunge and purchase your bike. In the end, buying a bike is a great decision, you’ll be happy you did! We guarantee you’ll enjoy the ride, the exercise in the process, and your improved carbon footprint as well!