How to Buy a New Bike and Not Regret It a Few Months Later

Buying a new bike is not rocket science, especially with so many specialized shops that can help you and guide you through the entire purchase. Of course, some part of the effort still lies on your shoulders – especially when it comes to knowing what exactly you intend to use the bike for – and you need to walk into that ordeal prepared. Otherwise, you’re going to run into various problems sooner or later, and some of them might come up past the point of no return, once you’ve already sunk a lot of money into the bike.

Know What You Need It For

The most important detail when buying a bike is to understand that the market is quite diverse, and know your exact needs. Many people think that any old bike will do, just because they don’t have any specific plans other than “riding it around town”. But even that is a purchase that should lean towards specific models more than others. Do you plan on taking the bike off road? Will you be using it to transport items like your grocery store purchases? Are you good at repairs? These are all factors that can make or break the deal, and knowing the answers to those questions (and more) will point you in the right direction from the very beginning.

The Used Market Can Be Very Useful

One big mistake you might make regardless of the type of bike you’re looking to buy is to disregard the second-hand market. Bikes tend to be very serviceable, especially if they’ve been taken care of well. And if you have even some minimal skills for repairs, like using a wrench and a screwdriver, you can probably fix up a good portion of the damage you’ll find in the various offers you’ll get. Considering how cheap you can get some of those bikes for, in some cases you can save literally more than half of the regular price and still have the bike looking as good as new! Even if you don’t have the right skills under your belt, a trustworthy cycle mechanic (who won’t overcharge you) can probably get the job done and you’ll still end up ahead by a large margin.

Protection and Insurance

Don’t forget to protect your investment as well. Even though no good lock will stop a determined thief, that doesn’t mean you should buy the cheapest one out there and call it a day either. A good bike chain can go a long way towards deterring most criminals out there, and it doesn’t cost that much more than the cheap ones that you can sometimes almost break apart with your bare hands. Look into bicycle insurance options as well – you’ll need a reliable partner like Velosurance to ensure that you’re getting the best deal. The market for this service is surprisingly populated and competitive, so don’t underestimate the importance of working with a reputable company who will know what advice to give you and how to treat you properly.

Keeping Your Options Open for Upgrades

One of the great things about a bike is that it can be easily modified and upgraded after the initial purchase, to the point where it’s barely even recognizable from what you originally bought. This doesn’tapply to every bike out there, though, and you’ll have to do some research to ensure that the one you’re considering is adequate for upgrading and long-term maintenance. Some models can be notoriously difficult on the maintenance aspect, with parts that are difficult to disassemble or hard to find on the market. If you want to get the most value out of this bike in the long run, this is something you should pay close attention to.

Know Your Local Laws

Last but not least, if you’ve never explored your local area on a bike, don’t just assume that you understand the laws around it. Some places have specific rules and regulations regarding bicycles that may not be immediately obvious. From minor details like driving on the right side of the road (even if you’re using sidewalks), listening to music with headphones, to bigger points like appropriate visibility clothing – there is likely a lot of ground to cover here if you’re not already familiar with the topic. So give it some time before setting off on your first ride, and you’ll spare yourself a good deal of headaches.

Once you’ve covered all that, though, you’re in for a lot of fun. A bike can completely change your world with regards to how you treat transportation and your own wellbeing, and if you’re like some people, it can also turn out to be an amazing hobby that has you investing many hours and dollars into it over the next few years. Whether that’s a blessing or a curse, though, is a different story and depends on your
views entirely.

Thanks For Reading!

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