There are lots of different bicycles on offer, each with a various uses and variety of features. It can be difficult to choose the right one and mistakes can be costly.

The following is some useful information to help you choose.

“Who is the bicycle for?”

(i) A Child

The temptation when buying a bicycle for a child is to buy one that’s too big for them just to make it last. This is counter productive and potentially dangerous. If a child is uncomfortable on its bicycle it will simply not use it and the money spent will have been wasted. For the child to be safe on their bike they must be able to easily reach all controls such as the brakes, turn the handle bars without over stretching and touch the ground with the tips of their toes.
Children’s bikes are measured by the size of their wheels, for example a 16” bike will have 16”wheels. Below is a general size/age guide for children’s bicycles.

Age	Bicycle size
3 – 5 years	12” wheel cycles
5 – 8 years	16” wheel cycles
7 – 10 years	20” wheel cycles
9 – 12 years	24” wheel cycles
12+ years	26” wheel cycles

As a child gets older the height needs to be taken into consideration more than their actual age. See the adult size guide for more information.

(ii) An Adult

Choosing the right type and size of bicycle is very important. The wrong decision can be expensive and even cause injury.

How to choose the right size bicycle.

This depends on the type of bike you are hoping to buy but the following are some general guidelines.

BMX One size fits all.

Hybrid When you stand with your feet flat on the ground there should be 1inch between you and the top of the bikes frame.

Mountain bike When you stand with your feet flat on the ground there should be 2 inches between you and the top of the bike frame.

Road Bike When you stand with your feet flat on the ground there should be 1inch between you and the top of the bikes frame.

To do this without the bike take your inside leg measurement Minus 2” for mountain bikes and minus 1” for road bikes.
Then minus 9”, this is the average distance from the bottom of the bike to the ground.
It also must be taken into consideration that the taller the bike the longer it will be too. You must be able to comfortably and safely reach the handlebars, turn the bike and use the brakes.

How to choose the right type of bicycle

"What type of cycling am I buying a bicycle for?"– To help determine what sort of bicycle you require you need to decide where and for what you will be using it.

Cycling for Transport – This is commuting to work or school. Generally on the road. The best choice here would be a mountain or hybrid bike.

Cycling for Leisure – This would be riding along cycle paths, forest routes, canal paths and mountain biking. To begin with an entry level mountain bike would be ideal and then a progression can be made to a higher spec mountain bike.

Cycling for Competition – This is road or off road racing or even BMX competitions. The best choice here would be a road bike or a BMX.

“What are the different types of bicycles?”

(i) Mountain Bikes

Mountain bikes are a popular choice. They offer versatility and comfort to the rider. You can basically go anywhere with a mountain bike, both on and off road. The upright position that you ride this bike in is also comfortable over long periods. They have loads of gears, thick, bumpy tyres, excellent brakes and a rigid strong frame. A mountain bike is a good choice for the beginner cyclist as entry level models are relatively inexpensive.
You can find different versions of the mountain bike which have specific features which make them more suitable for certain types of cycling.

Hard tail mountain bikes
This is for the everyday rider who rides mainly on road but may go off road at the weekend. The bike has a rigid frame to protect the rider from unseen bumps but as this type of mountain bike has no suspension you will feel every single one of those bumps!

Front suspension mountain bikes
This type of mountain bike has suspension on the front fork meaning if you use it for off road riding you will have a more comfortable ride. This type of bike also offers the road rider a smoother ride.

Dual suspension mountain bikes
Off the beaten track these bikes come into there own. The dual suspension and strong frame makes dirt tracks and big hill jumps a doddle. These are ideal for mountain and off road biking.

(ii) BMX

BMX bikes are built for tricks and stunts. They have strong frames, excellent brakes and a single gear. BMX bikes also have extra features to help with stunt riding.

(III) Hybrid Bikes

Hybrid bikes offer the best of the mountain bike and road bike. They have the strong frame and comfortable seat of the mountain bike with the larger more efficient wheels of the racer. These bikes are ideal for long distances on paved roads.

“What other equipment will I require?”

It will be necessary for you to also purchase a protective helmet especially if buying a bike for a child. This need to be both secure and comfortable. The helmet should be level when you wear it, not tipped to the front. The straps must be secure under the chin also. When the helmet is moved it shouldn’t slip over the head but rather take the scalp with it. If the helmet receives a sharp blow or is involved in an accident it should be replaced. Over time helmets also lose protection, they should be replaced at least every three years.