Today’s bicycles range from basic to your-wildest-imagination

Not that long ago, buying a bike meant picking out which colour you wanted, deciding on 3 speeds versus 10, and whether you wanted pedal or hand brakes. Today’s bikes have become so specialized that going out to buy one now involves really thinking about what you will be using it for.

Bike-shopping today means you’ll be deciding between Hybrid Bikes, Road Bikes and Mountain Bikes – and then drilling down to a bunch of additional bike types that also fall under each of these categories. And then you will have to decide on the components: do you want disk brakes versus rim brakes, narrow tires or fat ones, a gel seat or a leather saddle? The good news is that with more options than ever, it will be easier to find your perfect match.

To make your bike buying experience less overwhelming, start by thinking about how you want to use your bike:

• Will you be using it to commute or more for recreational purposes?
• What type of terrain will you be riding on? (city streets, bike paths, off-road trails?)
• How often will you be using your bike?
• What level cyclist do you consider yourself to be?
• Where do you want to cap your budget at?

There are plenty of websites that provide a quick overview of the differences between bikes, but a well-trained sales person can also quickly help you get your bearings. Our in-store sales staff in Toronto and Mississauga have the deep expertise to help you narrow down what you’re looking for and match you to the bike that’s best suited to you.