Just like their riders, bikes come in many shapes and styles.It's easy to be intimidated by the enormous selection when visiting a bike shop for the first time. The key is to be honest with yourself and the bike-shop employees. Choose the bike designed for the type of riding you will be doing. If you end up with the wrong kind of bike, you will have wasted your money and likely won't enjoy it.Set a budgetA well-made bike from a bike shop is a complicated machine and an investment. Many are shocked and intimidated when they see what a good, quality bike costs. You get what you pay for, so spend as much as you can afford. You also get the most for your money buying upfront, rather than trying to upgrade components later. Budget some money for accessories.Shop aroundThere are plenty of bike shops. Visit at least two or three before you buy. Different shops have different specialties and vibes. Compare brands of similar styles and prices. Reward the shop where you feel most comfortable with your business. If you're on a budget, look for a deal in the classifieds. Make sure a used bike is in full working order. A tune-up may be needed if it has been sitting in the garage for a long time. Stay away from big-box stores, where poorly made bikes are assembled by unqualified employees.Make sure it fitsQuality bikes come in multiple sizes to meet different-sized riders. If you do not feel comfortable while test-riding it, don't buy it. Ask a salesman for help finding the right size. If you are buying a high-end bike, one-on-one fitting sessions are available so you can get the most performance out of yourself and your investment.Know how to use itRiding a bicycle seems simple, but many people leave the shop not knowing how to shift gears properly or perform routine maintenance. Don't be embarrassed asking a salesman to explain how to make the best use of all those gears.Ask for adviceChances are you know someone who rides a bike. Ask what works and what they recommend. There are also plenty of Web sites that offer reviews and testimonials of bikes and accessories.AccessorizeGet your hands on the basics: a floor pump, tire levers, spare tubes to fix a flat, proper clothing, sunscreen and front and rear lights. Skip the cable or chain locks in favor of more durable and theft-proof U-locks.Wear a helmetThere are a million reasons to ride a bike. Becoming a statistic isn't one of them.On the WebBicycletutor.com: Repair and maintenance videos to walk you through the process.Bikeforums.net: An enormous resource for discussing every aspect of cycling.Roadbikereview.com: A collection of consumer reviews of bikes and accessories.Sheldonbrown.com: The ultimate online cycling encyclopedia.RecommendationsGetting to work or back in shape: Trek 7.2FX -- $449 -- Includes mounts for racks and fenders, making it versatile, but it also has fast-rolling, full-sized road bike wheels that will get you zipping down the bike lane a lot faster than on a cruiser. Excellent all-arounder.Getting down and dirty: Cannondale F5 -- $689 -- Sporting a light aluminum frame and a RockShox fork, the F5 can handle some serious punishment. The disc brakes provide better stopping power than conventional rim brakes.Getting serious about a triathlon: Felt S32 -- $1,399 -- The aerodynamic fork, frame and spokes slice through the air and you'll be able to tuck into the wind with the same geometry as Felt's high-end race bikes.(E-mail Adam Newman at anewman(at)sptimes.com.)(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service www.scrippsnews.com)
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