Which bike?

From mountain and road bikes to hybrids, shoppers and fold-ups, each model has subtle differences that will affect speed, comfort and general practicality. We’ve already looked at mountain and hybrid models: read on for the rest.

Road bike
If speed, endurance and distance are of the essence and you have no desire to venture beyond the tarmac, nothing beats a good-quality road bike. The drop handlebars offer many hand positions for long journeys, the gears are perfectly set up for both climbing and tearing down hills, and the frame geometry is conducive to maximum energy efficiency and speed. The wheels and tyres are very narrow and light for minimum rolling resistance. Best ridden in Lycra cycle clothing and with clipless shoes on your feet.
Trusted brands: Bianchi, Condor, Scott, Trek, Specialized, Cannondale.

Fold-up
If you worry about storage, consider a folding bike. While full-size bikes take up lots of room, fold-ups are relatively light and can be carried around easily. When you get to work, they can also be kept under your desk. If there’s a downside, it’s the size of the wheels. Most come with small 16 inch wheels and short wheel bases for practical folding. The drawbacks are a low top speed, poor energy efficiency and occasional instability. That said, no other style can compete for practicality.
Trusted brands: Brompton, Dahon, Birdy, Ridgeback, Giant.

Price

Most beginners opt to spend no more than around QR1,000 on a bike. And there’s nothing wrong with that. That said, chances are most beginners will know little or nothing about the workings of a bicycle so that when things go wrong, that nice cheap bike will end up in the shed.

In the bicycle world, there is no such thing as cheap and cheerful. Cheap bikes are made from very heavy materials that give out after a few months of commuting. It happens time and time again: loose headsets and cranks, wobbly wheels, slipping gears, stripped nuts, you name it. Saving money won’t save you huge amounts of hassle later on.

So, for the sake of reliability, better quality and low weight, consider spending QR2,500. From QR4,000 and up, the frame materials get even lighter and the components improve dramatically to include disc brakes. Bikes in this price range offer fuss-free riding year after year, with very little fettling required. Also, having spent that much, chances are you’ll look after it better than you would a cheap clunker. And QR4,000 is still cheaper than hiring a car for six months, or paying for taxis – after a few months of ownership, you’ll be quids in.

Frame size

Stand astride the bike with both feet flat on the ground, then measure the distance between your crotch and the upper tube. For a mountain bike, you’ll need a 3-4 inch gap, especially if you’re planning to use it off-road (you’ll soon get a painful reminder if you choose the wrong size). For a road bike, a 1-1.5 inch gap should be fine.

With ladies’ bikes, size is less important. But always make sure you have a comfortable reach towards the handlebars and pedals.
Derek Adams