So its bright and sunny outside and you want to get in on that sweet cycling action. But the bike shops are full of Lycra clad snobs and the internet is full of divisive opinions.
Luckily for you, you have stumbled upon a nice gentle primer for city cycling. I say that because there maybe a few MTB wannabes, however this guide is for beginner commuters and fitness who will spend 99% of there miles on the road.
Now cycling is generally rated just behind swimming for best exercise activity, due to the muscle groups used, varying intensity and being low impact (I'm looking at you 'running'). However in my humble opinion it is even better due to the fact you can actually commute and it is a highly efficient mode of transport which has a positive effect on society and the environment.
Now you're pumped about cycling, where do you go to buy a bike? The 1st place that comes to most people is Walmart or similar department store. I would highly discourage this however as the bikes will quite often come hastily or even wrongly assembled by disinterested store staff. More importantly if you decided to spend 5+ hours a week on the road commuting or exercising then I would want more confidence in my bike, and department store bikes are not the highest quality.
Online classifieds are another option. However buying used comes with a whole host of problems that would take another whole article to explain. I would skip this one unless you are certain on what you want.
Buying new online comes with similar problems to used classified. More importantly buying new online means you can't try the bike out first. Again I would skip this option unless you know what you are doing.
Lastly there is your local bike shop. This is the option I recommend. It is also the most expensive. You do get something more for your money. You will have a better selection of bikes at a higher quality (normally) that you can actually try before you buy. If something goes wrong then a bike shop is usually more responsible than any of the options above and its nice to put a face to these issues.
Bike fit is the single most important factor in buying a bike. Poor fit can lead to injury and not getting the best out of your rides. Bike fit has become quite the science with some bike shops charging $50 for even a basic session. However this is not necessary for everyone. The basic requirement of bike fit is when you sit on the saddle your leg almost completely fully extends without locking out on the downward pedal stroke. This ensures your pedal stroke is efficient and reduces strain. After this, the other dimensions of the bike will be within a good range for your size.
Fixie's have created a schism in cycling that breaks friendships and ruins marriages. They have an undeniable style and popularity that overrides good sense. Fixie's have their benefits vs road bikes. They are cheaper and easier to maintain, you can ride them backwards and they look so dang cool. However if you have any hills in your area I would highly recommend using a geared bike. Fixed gears on hills will destroy your knees. Fixed gear bikes can also be changed into single speeds. The difference being that you can coast on a single speed. The rear hub can usually be flipped so you can chose fixed or single speed. My one last recommendation is that whatever bike you choose, get a bike with brakes.
Wheels and tires are a murky subject made more difficult by product diversity, marketing, and trends. As a road cyclist, you are the engine for the bike. You want your bike to be efficient so that you go faster on less energy. This also leads to cycling being more fun. There are several wheel sizes you will come across. I suggest you stick with 700c wheels. This is the standard for road bikes and you will get more future product support and interchangeability with this size. Tires in the range of 28c to 30c are a good compromise. Any smaller and comfort is reduced as well as having to pump them up to high pressures. As for tire tread, I would argue that slick or close to slick is the best. Over 90% of your time cycling will be in good conditions on the road. Slick tires provide the least rolling resistance and the difference in speed is distinct. Even cars have to slow down when it rains so this is all you have to do should you get caught in bad weather. Should you need to get new inner tubes for your wheels, the valve type is presta.
Handlebar type is usually to personal preference. Drop handlebars allow for a number of positions to place your hands. Choice is always good and helps reduce strain on long rides. Drop handlebars usually place the rider in a lower position which is good for reducing air resistance but bad for awareness and visibility. Straight and/or riser handlebars are initially quite comfortable and offer a more upright position. They would be my recommendation.
Bike weight and material seem to be big considerations. Each material has its pros and cons but I would argue there is no right answer and it is down to preference. 'Steel is real' is a phrase you commonly hear. Steel bike frames last the longest and easily absorb damage and everyday wear and tear. It is also the most flexible and provides a softer, bouncy ride compared to the others. Chrome molybdenum is the most popular steel alloy used in bicycles. Aluminium is the most common material and currently the cheapest. It is stiffer, lighter and so more efficient than steel but also offers a harsher ride. Carbon fiber is the current king of bike materials. It comes in a range of stiffness and can be layered on the frame to provide a ride that is both efficient and comfortable. It is also still the most expensive and not the hardiest for taking everyday knocks.
Lastly I would say that weight doesn't matter. If you buy a modern bike then it will be within a reasonable weight range and you won't notice the pound of 'lightness' you are paying for. Air resistance and rolling resistance are bigger factors in efficiency.
Brakes come in 3 flavors. Cantilever, caliper and disk brake. Cantilevers are the cheapest but do not feel the most responsive. Calipers are a good mid range and offer excellent stopping power as long as it's not wet. Disk brakes are the most expensive and get more involved if they require maintenance. They do however stop reliably in the wet. Again they all work but its down to preference.
Whatever you chose bike you end up choosing, it is important to just get out there and start having fun! The sun, exercise and new found freedom will put a smile on your face and is worth a million Steem!