MISTAKE #1: Buying the wrong type of bike

Really think about your cycling goals. What are they? Know what kind of cyclist you are or want to be. Ask yourself:
How much will I ride?
How long, how hard will I ride?
What road or trail surfaces will I ride on?
What are my expectations for the bike?

There are two common themes around selecting the wrong type of bike (although there are more): Most people want an “all around” do everything bike or a bike “just like the pro-racers have.”

Most people who want a bike that does everything will purchase a mountain bike. Then typically, they’ll ride it around on paved roads and paths for a few weeks until their enthusiasm wears out. Then the bike ends up sitting or hanging in the garage. A mountain bike is designed for dirt. Yes, it can ride on pavement, but it is not as easy to ride on or as fun as a bike that is designed for paved surfaces like a road, triathlon, or fitness bike.

Unlike even just a few years ago, road bike types have expanded greatly and there are many categories and subcategories of bikes (see the type of bikes article: http://www.rovobikereviews.com/Road-bike-type-categories.html). So if you’ll be on the road, get a bike made for the road. Don’t buy a mountain bike because it’s remotely possible you’ll be on the trails. If you are planning on doing both, you are better off getting both a road bike and a mountain bike.

People, who want to ride what the pro’s ride, will buy a “race bike”. Then they’ll ride the bike, but on the first or second long ride, their back will hurt, maybe even other parts of their body because of the aggressive position race bikes are made to be ridden in. The bike may feel too responsive and twitchy. Race and triathlon bikes are made for speed. If your goals are speed orientated, this is the bike for you. But for many beginner triathletes that want to complete the road cycling portion as well as do other types of riding a road relaxed geometry bike may be the bike for you.

So once you have honestly assessed yourself consider the different types of bikes out there. Answering the questions above first will go a long way in selecting the right type of bike. Understanding the different types of bikes, choosing the right type of bike and how the bike will satisfy your riding style and goals will significantly help in making the right investment in your new equipment. See http://www.rovobikereviews.com/Road-bike-type-categories.html for more information.

MISTAKE #2: Buying the wrong size bike

Buyers may buy the wrong size bike, typically because they can get a good deal or they were pushed by a salesperson.
Don’t do it!
This is especially true with road and triathlon bikes. With road biking, the cyclist is in a fairly static position for long periods of times (25, 50 or even 100 miles). Being in an improper position because the bike is too big or too small will prove uncomfortable and can lead to injuries. And with a wrong size bicycle, this is virtually unfixable. The rider’s investment is down the drain.

With mountain bikes, the cyclist is in a more dynamic position. The rider will have to shift weight and physically move around the bike to get over obstacles and to adjust for varying surfaces. The range is a little more relaxed, but there are typically less sizing options than road bikes. So although there is a larger range, the right size is still very important.

With hybrid and cruiser bikes, sizing is still important. Just as with mountain bikes, there are typically less sizing options, so a size bicycle is made for a larger range of people. Make sure you fall in that range.
For more information on fitting a bike, see http://www.rovobikereviews.com/road-bike-sizing.html.

MISTAKE #3: Not getting a bike fit

Getting a bike fit is like getting your clothes altered for optimal fit, but with many more benefits. Not only will you look better, you’ll also produce more power, you’ll be more comfortable, and you’ll prevent injuries.

There have been many developments in sports science and bicycling over the last 15 years. Modern fits are done dynamically, and account for your personal measurements in motion.

The most common bike fits systems are by Serotta, Specialized (Body Geometry), and Retul. They all follow the same basic principle.

Good bike fits start around $75 and go up from there. For more information, see http://www.rovobikereviews.com/bike-fit.html

MISTAKE #4: Not having a proper budget

Good bikes are unfortunately expensive. The great thing about cycling is once you have your equipment and proper accessories, there’s none or nominal additional costs to ride your bike. If you consider riding your new bike 4 times a week for a typical biking season, a $2500 bike cost you under $10 a ride over two seasons.

Bikes under $250 are disposable bicycles. In general entry-level bikes start around $1000 (although there are exceptions). For racing or serious riding, expect to pay around $1500. The sweet spot for optimal performance, low weight, and good durability is between $2500-$4000. See http://www.rovobikereviews.com/road-bike-price-categories.html for more information.

MISTAKE #5: Not having the proper accessories

There are some must have accessories and some highly recommended accessories. At a minimum, you should have a helmet, seatpack w/ emergency items, padded cycling shorts, and hydration. But there are also other accessories that are really nice to have, such as a pump, gloves, cycling shoes and clipless pedals, cycling top, eyewear, cycling computers, and a mp3 player. These items will make cycling much more enjoyable. Consider them in your cycling budget.

MISTAKE # 6 Buying a bike on only 1 component (typically it’s the rear derailleur)

Bike manufacturers will often mix component groups to get their cost down. For example, a bike may have a Shimano 105 rear derailleur, but an off brand inferior brakeset and crankset. When comparing bikes, make sure that the bikes have equivalent components and wheels. Often, the cheaper bike will have inferior components somewhere. For components see: http://www.rovobikereviews.com/bike-component-groups.html. For wheels, see: http://www.rovobikereviews.com/wheelset-bicycle-wheel.html.

MISTAKE # 7: Buying a used bike or buying a bike online

Don’t get me wrong, it can be done, but you really have to know what you are doing. Not just you have to know your stuff, you have to know what questions to ask the seller, how to inspect the bike for wear and damage, and you have to be prepared to invest money to get the bike the way you want it, including a bike fit. So it can be done, but if it’s not done right, you could be wasting a lot of money.

Let me know if you have any questions at: questions@rovobikereviews.com