Biking has become a very popular mode of exercise and a great alternative to driving. If you’re ready to jump on the bike riding bandwagon but are intimidated by the prospect of buying a bike, you can rest easy. We got the 411 from Nathan Taylor, Operations Director of Harpeth Bicycles, on how to go about buying the best bike for you!
Follow these easy steps for purchasing and caring for your bike:
1. Determine how you will be using your bike
Will you be biking for exercise, to run errands, to go to work or all of the above? “Different types of bikes are best suited to a certain terrain and intended use. For instance, riding on paved greenways versus riding along with traffic on rural roads versus riding off-road on maintained trails,” Taylor said. Before you bike shop, consider how and where you’ll be using your bike.
2. It’s All About Fit
“A bike that isn’t comfortable won’t get ridden,” Taylor advised. Spend a little extra time making sure the fit is perfect. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a bike expert. Let the staff find the perfect fit for you. “Our sales staff is very experienced in putting individuals of all shapes and sizes on a bike that fits. We usually have a customer try out a couple of different sizes to make sure everything is right,” Taylor said. At Harpeth Bicycles, you can even go on a test ride before purchasing. Taylor even advises to “test ride two similar bikes back to back…to narrow things down to your best choice.”
3. Price
It’s always great to have a budget in mind when bike shopping but remember “the value of the bike is more than just its cost in dollars,” Taylor said. “How much it is used, how it makes you feel when you ride it, the changes it brings about in your fitness and your life, where it takes you…all of these are much more important.”
4. Don’t Forget the Accessories
After you’ve found the perfect bike for you, there are just a few more things you need. Before getting on the road, make sure to purchase a helmet. Check out other accessories like padded cycling shorts, gloves and even fast drying cycling jerseys, for comfort. “We usually recommend that customers purchase, at a minimum, a helmet and materials needed to fix a punctured tire. We can even show you how to fix a flat and be back on the road within minutes,” Taylor said.
5. Bike Maintenance
Bikes are pretty low maintenance but at Harpeth, all bikes come with a one-year warranty and the first tune-up is free. “Usually that first tune-up is the only thing required in the first year or more of a bike’s life,” Taylor said. Even though bikes don’t require much care, there are a few things you can do to prolong your bike’s life and keep it running smoothly: Wipe down the chain and keep it lubricated, keep the tires inflated, store your bike inside and ride it often.
Now that you’ve got a great bike and you know how to take care of it, roll out and enjoy yourselves! As Taylor said, “We are very lucky in Williamson County to have miles and miles of rural roads to explore by bike. Most of the small communities in the area are very welcoming to cyclists, and it is easy to make a day out of riding from town to town stopping at the small family markets for a snack and a cold drink.”
Visit Harpeth Bicycles at 330 Mayfield Drive in Franklin, on Facebook or call them at 567-6612.
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