Maybe you have caught the cycling bug and plan to go on epic long-distance rides – or simply want to get the family off the sofa for some fresh air and exercise. Either way, the prospect of buying a bike can be a little overwhelming.
With so many types and models of bikes available from hundreds of manufacturers, and a wide range of price points, where do you start?
We spoke to some of the country’s most experienced biking experts to get their advice on choosing the best bike for your needs.
Talk to the experts
Rule number one when it comes to buying a bike is simple: head to a good bike shop that will take the time to set you up correctly from the start, says Raslan Al Abbadi, the operations and sales manager at BeSport bike shop in Abu Dhabi’s Mushrif Mall.
“When a customer walks in, we want to know what type of bike riding he or she wants to do,” he says.
“Is the bike going to be used for rides on the Corniche? For riding on Al Wathba track? On mountains? On the road to work? That’s the first question we ask, because that will help us decide what type of bike to recommend.”
Al Abbadi, a 29-year-old cycling expert from Jordan, has been riding bikes all his life, and in 2005 founded Jordan’s first triathlon team.
Bikes, he says, essentially fall into three categories: mountain bikes, road bikes, and hybrid or commuter bikes.
“I enjoy using both a road bike and a mountain bike,” he says. “For me, mountain biking is for adventures, and road biking is for training.”
No two bikes are the same, says Bart Van Den Dries, from Belgium, the general manager at the Abu Dhabi bike shop Yas Cycles in Al Zeina. He has been cycling for more than 20 years and competes in races across Europe.
“The size of the tyres, the size of the wheels, the material that the frame is made of, the type of handlebars, the type of saddle – all those things can be different on a bike,” he says.
Road bikes
For speed trials, covering long distances and triathlons, or for riding on Al Wathba cycling track, a road or race bike is the best choice.
“On a race bike, most of the time you have higher gears so you can have more speed,” says Van Den Dries. “The handlebars are different because you are in a more aggressive position, with more strength on your shoulders than on a city or mountain bike, and you are in a more upright, relaxed position if you are riding it for fitness.”
Mountain bikes
If off-roading is your goal or you’re planning on tackling the challenges of the Hatta trail, you’re going to need a mountain bike.
“An entry-level mountain bike, which is a full-suspension bike that can be ridden everywhere, is reasonably priced, and you can use it any time you want,” says Al Abbadi.
Mountain bikes offer full suspension for the front and rear wheels, to help smooth out the ride over bumpy terrain.
“A mountain bike has more gears than a race bike, because when you go for rides on inclined surfaces, you need more gears to tackle them,” says Van Den Dries.
Hybrid or commuter bikes
If you will be using your bike in the city, for the commute to and from work each day – starting with #cycletoworkUAE – or as your main means of getting around, you’ll need a hybrid or commuter bike.
“They come with slightly bigger diameter wheels for longer distances and are designed for use on the pavement,” says Al Abbadi.
For absolute beginners
“An entry-level mountain bike is a great way to start getting into biking,” says Al Abbadi.
However any category of bike – mountain, road or hybrid – can be used by a beginner.
Check out the EMX–1 Carbon Fibre race bike by Eddy Merckx (Dh6,000 at Yas Cycles).
How much will it cost?
Don’t skimp on quality by getting a cheap bike that costs Dh1,000 or less. It might seem like a bargain, but you will end up spending a lot more on servicing it, says Al Abbadi. He recommends setting a budget of about Dh3,000 to Dh4,000 for your first bike.
“A good, entry-level mountain bike, which will offer a safe and comfortable ride, can range from Dh2,500 to Dh45,000,” he says.
For a good mountain bike, check out the Specilaized Fatboy, which costs Dh8,000 at Yas Cycles.
The price of a good road bike ranges from Dh4,000 up to Dh70,000 “and sometimes Dh100,000 for a tweaked and customised bike”, says Al Abbadi. “Bikes can get crazy expensive.”
The most expensive bike BeSport offers is an Argon 18 road bike that costs Dh75,000.
At Yas Cycles, the Eddy Merckx 525 with Dura-Ace Di2 road bike costs Dh47,000. Their Specialized Shiv Elite race bike is Dh13,500.
Because hybrid bikes are not so specialised and used for commuting, transport or general fitness rather than performance, expect to spend no less than Dh3,000 on a decent model, but no more than Dh10,000.
The Electra Daisy and the Electra Straight 8 bike at Yas Cycles, for example, costs Dh4,200. For those on a tight budget, the Specialized Sirrus (for men) or Specialized Vita (for women) hybrid bikes are available from Dh2,150.
The perfect fit
Your height, the length of your torso and how long your legs are all play a part in determining the perfect fit for a bicycle. Bikes come in small, medium, large and extra-large frame sizes, or in specific measurements. Keep these tips in mind when choosing the right fit:
• Different bicycles have different dimensions for diverse body types.
• Ensure that the seat is not too high.
• Spend enough time at the bike shop judging the different sizes of the models you like and try sitting on them.
• Let the experts at the shop adjust the height of the seat for you. “We do proper bike fittings,” says Van Den Dries. “The basic rule is that when your foot is on the pedal, your knee and the pedal should be in a downwards position. The knee should be slightly bent, then you will have proper posture and your knee is rotating correctly – this will not harm your knee. Your knee can’t be too stretched out.”
Beginners who want to feel more secure tend to place both feet on the ground and assume that a bike that allows them to do this is the right height of bike and seat for them – but, says Van Den Dries, that results in a harmful knee position and should be avoided.
“Sometimes we give people the advice, when they are not feeling secure, to start with a lower saddle then go up a little higher after they have been cycling for a while and are more confident on the bike.”
Must-have accessories
Buying the bike that will suit your needs is only the first step. Bart Van Den Dries, general manager at the Yas Cycles bicycle store, says: “It’s important to also have the right equipment when you are riding. It will add to your comfort level on the bike and make it a much more enjoyable experience.”
Here is a recommended shopping list of seven items to get you ready for your first bike ride:
1 A helmet. Safety first – always.
2 Bike lights, which will be used both during the day and at night. "A warning light is the best way for people to see you and a safety must-have," says Raslan Al Abbadi, operations and sales manager at BeSport bike shop.
3 A a refillable water bottle and bottle cage, to stay hydrated on long rides.
4 Good-quality biking shorts, which should have padding to protect your backside from the discomfort of long spells in the saddle.
5 A decent cycling jersey. "If you are doing a long-distance ride of more than 10km, a special cycling jersey will help protect you from chafing and will prevent you from sweating too much, plus it won't flap in the wind like a normal T-shirt might," says Al Abbadi. Cycling jerseys also usually have three pockets at the back for personal items such as keys, wallet, mobile phones and so on.
6 A good pair of cycling sunglasses, which you should use even at night. They will shield your eyes and protect them in the event of a crash. They are high at the front and wider at the sides than normal sunglasses.
7 A bike rack for your car so you can transport your bike easily and without damaging it.
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