COSMIC BIKES GUIDES
NEW BICYCLE BUYING GUIDE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
You can skip ahead by quickly jumping to any of the sections below.
Introduction
If you’re in the market for a new bike, the available choices can be quite bewildering. This is especially true if you’re new to biking or have not bought a bike in a long time. The new widely available bike categories are proliferating fast, and we’re running out of ideas for what to call them: Hybrid? City? Urban? Asphalt? Cross? Gravel? Adventure? Whatever you call them, most contemporary bikes offer off-the-shelf utility and a versatile range at a reasonable price.
This guide will not tell you what bike is best. Rather, it will help you decide what bike is best for you. It is less about giving you advice on which type of bike to buy, and more about arming you with information so that you can make the best choice based on your specific needs.
What this guide is not:
This guide does not address any highly specialized bike to use for racing, competition or endurance event. It also doesn't cover specialty niche bikes, such as cargo, e-bikes or recumbents.
Rather it is a no-nonsense compilation of our many years’ experience of helping customers find the right everyday bike for their needs. We hope it will help you to find a lifestyle bike that you may want to use around Chicago for transportation, recreation, or riding with your family. (Visit our blog for buying advice geared more toward adventure-worthy bikes.)
A note on bike brands:
You'll notice that there's no chapter on bicycle brands or models. This is because the bike brand is probably the least important factor in selecting the best bicycle. Here’s why:
Within a given price range, most reputable manufacturers of mainstream recreational bikes offer comparable value, quality of frame materials and components. However, different brands do use different frame design philosophies, resulting in different bike geometries, and consequently different fit. This means that if brand X works well for your tall and leggy friend, it may or may not work so well if you’re muscular and compactly built. Far more important than brand is the price range. If your friend is raving about her $1700 bike, but your budget only allows $700, you’ll be getting a bike of considerably different quality, regardless of brand (much more on prices below).
Should you buy a new bike?
Bicycles are quite durable, so if you already own a bike, you may be trying to decide if you should really be getting a new one, or if it makes sense to keep the old one going a little longer. We have these conversations with customers all the time, and we’ve compiled the salient points into this summary.
With just a little care and maintenance, a bicycle will reward you with a shockingly long lifespan. Classic 1970’s bikes are still in wide use, and —even today— bike manufacturers have not quite figured out how to build planned obsolescence into their products.
So there’s absolutely nothing wrong with tuning up and continuing to ride an older bike. But make sure that you take into account your intended use for the bike, the current fit, and your budget into consideration before choosing the best option.
Consider repairing or restoring your existing bike
Here are some important points to take into account when deciding to restore an older bike.
The bike frame, fork and wheels (see more on wheels below) should be of good quality, from a reputable manufacturer, and free of any structural flaws. That can include bikes as old as vintage Schwinn* and Raleigh 3-speeds, traditional Japanese or Taiwanese made road bikes, early mountain bikes and much more. Have the mechanic thoroughly inspect the frame before you invest in repairs.
(*With certain types of Schwinn wheel sizes, you may be quite limited in your choice of tires, and --depending on your needs-- it may be better to (1) replace the wheels with a modern size, or (2) relegate the vintage Schwinn to only occasional use, and invest in a new bike for daily needs).The bike should fit your physique and riding style. If you have a beautiful vintage bike that fit an older relative who was several inches taller or shorter than you, you could restore it for sentimental reasons, but it will not be a good fit for you. Similarly, if you’ve been handed down a vintage 10-speed, and you want to shuttle your toddler to playdates, it might not be an ideal choice.
Be open to alterations necessary for better fit. If the bike is a close fit, swapping out the saddle or handlebars can make it much more comfortable. On some older 10-speeds, it might even make sense to switch to upright handlebars to make the bike suitable for your intended use.
Keep you expectations reasonable. A good tune up should make the bike feel as good or better than when it was new, but it will not turn it into something that it is not.
Repairing an older bike is not always the more affordable option. That doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done —we’ve worked with numerous customers who spent many hundreds of dollars on their beloved old bikes— just be aware that in some cases a complete restoration can easily outpace the cost of a brand new bike.
Give some thought to upgrading the wheels. If you’re starting with a beautiful older frame, replacing the wheels is a pricey but worthwhile investment. A set of modern, strong alloy wheels will make the bike lighter, and enhance your ride quality and security. In some cases already alluded to, you will have access to a much greater range of quality, puncture-resistant tires. A custom-built, hand-laced wheel set is possibly the best bike upgrade money can buy.
Purchase a new bike
You should buy a new bike if the one you own doesn't fit, doesn't work for your intended use, or can’t be brought back into good repair within your budget expectations. Consider the following:
If you’re really looking to ride more, it pays to get a bike that really meets your needs where you are today. Otherwise, something that has theoretical value will simply collect dust on your porch. A bike that fit you in high school may not meet you current needs. A mountain bike might be frustratingly slow on a 10 mile commute. A comfort cruiser won't let you keep up with your fitness-riding friends.
A department store quality bike is almost never a good repair investment. It may be an OK choice for someone on a very tight budget, but a complex and potentially expensive repair is not likely to yield good results. Keep in mind that the original cost of the bike has nothing to do with how much it will cost to service it today. It’s better to use that repair budget as seed money for a new bike.
It may not make financial sense to fix a bike in the condition of total disrepair, or with the majority of parts needing to be replaced. The exceptions would be a premium quality, undamaged frame, or a bike with very high sentimental value, on which we would not presume to put a price tag.
If the integrity of the frame is compromised, it’s time for a new bike. If the frame is bent, cracked, rusted through, has broken welds, a stuck seat post or bottom bracket, it’s time for it to be retired.
A new bike purchased from us at Cosmic Bikes will come to you fully and professionally assembled, and with a maintenance package included, giving you complete peace of mind for one year, and many more seasons of enjoyment. It’s a fantastic investment that will pay you dividends for years to come.
Lifestyle and use considerations
When deciding to purchase a new bike, try to anticipate where and how often you will be using it. Some questions that may help you along:
Will it be a dedicated urban bike, or will it double as your vacation or adventure companion? If it’s a bike that has to serve multiple uses, you probably want something more versatile than a single-speed.
Will you ride strictly on pavement, or on unpaved trails as well? Choose a bike with tires that are suitable for a variety of surfaces, or the ability to accommodate a range of tire widths and styles..
Will you wear a skirt, a longer coat or carry children? You may consider a step-through frame that won’t force you do swing your leg over the bike to get on and off.
Do you plan to ride in inclement weather, or need to wear professional clothes? Consider a bike with internal gears, a chainguard, and fenders.
Will you have to store your bike in a small space or carry it up the stairs? Will you be combining biking with public transit? A folding bike can work very well in these situations.
How to gauge bike quality
We’ve thrown around the word “quality” a few times, but what exactly does that mean? Marketing materials, and even “impartial” online reviews, may try to convince you that a particular brand is vastly superior to all others. In reality, there's no such thing as "the best" bike brand. It turns out that what seasoned riders and most specialty bicycle store employees consider good bikes share some common characteristics, regardless of whose logo is emblazoned on the frame:
A corrosion-resistant, durable and lightweight frame, either chromoly steel or aluminum (titanium is also a great, but much more expensive, option), with reliable construction (you can really geek out on frame materials at Sheldon Brown).
Wheels that can take a beating: double-walled alloy rims, with sealed hubs and stainless steel spokes. Assuming they are properly set up during initial bike assembly, such wheels resist corrosion, and can handle rough roads and occasional potholes.
A precision drivetrain from a reputable manufacturer (eg. Shimano, SRAM, Microshift), that allows for a reasonable cadence on long stretches of road, and a range of gears suitable for climbing.
Anywhere from 10 to 27 speeds is common.
Increasingly widespread is the “one-by” drivetrain configuration: the familiar triple front chainring is replaced with a single one, and combined with a wide-range 10, 11 or 12-speed cassette attached to the rear hub. This results in an intuitive shifting system, with a wide range of usable gears.
Dependable brakes, including the following:
Alloy (not resin) hand levers that allow for adjustment for smaller hand sizes.
The brake mechanism itself should be sufficiently adjustable and solid to allow for noise-free, confident braking, without shuddering.
On the majority of new bikes today, rim brakes (which grip the rim of the wheel) are being replaced with disc brakes (the brake mechanism squeezes a rotor attached near the center of the wheel). Once considered an expensive upgrade, disc brakes have become much more affordable, and may provide better stopping power in mixed conditions, such as rain, mud, and dust, especially while carrying loads. They ensure dependable braking regardless of the wheels being perfectly true. Braking action does not cause wear on the rims (which can shorten their lifespan).
However, keep in mind that rim brakes have been successfully used by long distance and adventure cyclists for decades, so the type of braking mechanism need not necessarily influence your final decision about what is the best bicycle for you.
Whatever the braking system, the most important thing is that it is properly and securely set up from the get-go, and regularly maintained.
Your bike should have eyelets for mounting fenders, racks, water bottles and more. This is a small but crucially important feature of any bike that will make it easy for you to carry loads and use the bike in less than perfect weather.
Look for out-of-the-box rideability. It’s true that most bikes can be upgraded and improved through customization, a good everyday bike can be ridden as-is, once it has been properly assembled.
We tend to like bikes that don’t go over the top with whistles and bells. You can always upgrade a solid, basic bike with premium, puncture-resistant tires, a more comfortable saddle, different cockpit position, and ergonomic grips or bar tape.
Types of bikes
Below we highlight various types of popular bikes with some insight into their best intended use. But don’t get too bogged down with bike categories. These days there is a lot of crossover between different types of bikes, and —with few exceptions— most bikes adapt very well to a variety of uses. It bears repeating that you shouldn't be too concerned about the brand. Within a given price range, most manufacturers of mainstream lifestyle bikes offer comparable value with regards to the quality of the frame and components. (This may not apply to specialty manufacturers of higher level, and custom bikes, but that’s not what this guide is about.)
With the exception of very highly specialized bikes (eg. triathlon, bmx or dual-suspension mountain bikes), most bikes can be successfully adapted to most everyday biking needs. Let's examine some more common types of bicycles, and take look at ways they are particularly well-suited to urban transportation and recreation.
Hybrid Bikes
Hybrids (also known as cross bikes and urban bikes) originated from the marriage of old school thin-tire ten-speeds, and thick-tire mountain bikes, and resulted in a bicycle that offers a more comfortable sitting position and more sensible tire width than either of the parents.
Thanks to their versatility, utility and ease of use, hybrid bikes made urban biking accessible and convenient for all. Unless you're prepared to invest in a fleet of bicycles for different cycling needs, a hybrid is a great choice, because it adapts well to a variety of uses.
Hybrids usually offer a fairly upright (or adjustable) sitting position, and come equipped with moderately smooth street tires. They readily accept racks and fenders, and are sometimes available with commuter-specific accessories.
Though many hybrids focus on comfort at a reasonable price, performance models are also available. Hybrids can stand up to the rigors of long-distance riding, however they do not give you options of varying your hand positions, as drop-handlebar bikes do. (More on Hybrids here.)
Folding Bikes
At Cosmic Bikes, we especially love English-made Brompton folding bikes for the way they easily fit into almost any space, and almost any aspect of your life.
If ordinary bikes give you freedom to move around the city with ease and sidestep traffic woes, folding bikes take that freedom to a whole new level. For the urban commuter, they offer the ultimate in flexibility, allowing you to combine biking with transit, taxi cabs, and giving you access to storage and security options unavailable to standard bikes. Because they are easy to store at home or at the office, and relatively easy to take in and out of buildings, they never need to be locked outside. They fit a wide variety of riders, and can be shared by members of the same household, or loaned to out-of-town visitors.
And that's just for local commuting. For the traveler with a folding bike, the world is your oyster. (More on Bromptons here.)
City Bikes, Three-Speeds & Cruisers
A low-maintenance option that offers an upright riding position, and allows you to wear normal clothes (even skirts). Many bikes in this category come with internal or simplified gearing and braking systems, as well as fenders and chainguards, and sometimes carrying racks. This makes the bikes simpler to maintain, helps protect your work clothes, and makes them a practical around-town choice. If you are not too concerned about speed, a basic bike of this sort will carry you dependably over just about any distance in the city, in style and comfort.
Touring and Gravel Bikes
Though not specifically designed for urban travel, these bikes lend themselves well to longer commutes, giving the rider a more athletic and efficient riding posture. Drop handlebars offer multiple hand positions, a useful feature on longer rides.
Though not as light as performance road bikes, they are built for efficient riding and long days in the saddle. They are sturdy enough to carry significant loads and roll over both urban streets and gravel roads. They are durable and versatile, with wider frame clearances to accept a variety of urban tires, and eyelets for easy installation of fenders and racks. They typically come with stockier wheelsets that can withstand the beating they'll get on potholes.
An exploding category that bridges the gap between Gravel and Mountain bikes is Adventure Bikes. These take off on the Gravel Bike idea with even wider tires, and sometimes slightly smaller wheels, making them great bikes to go where no bike has gone before.
Single-Speed Urban Bikes (aka "Fixies")
Ideal for the minimalist urban commuter: light, fast, uncluttered, easily thrown over the shoulder for the fourth-floor walk-up. If you install a light fender set, skip a rack and carry a messenger backpack instead, you'll have the quintessential no-frills personal transportation bike.
A single-speed bike typically features a "flop-flop" rear hub which allows the bike to be quickly converted from a free-wheeling one-speed to fixed-gear, hence: Fixies.
Important: fixies must have at least one working brake to be street-legal in Illinois. Be aware that although internet fixies have tempting prices, you definitely get what you pay for -- a cheap, flimsy bike, sometimes without brakes or even a way to add them. On the other hand, you can get a quality single-speed from your local bikes shop for a lot less than a typical hybrid.
Trail Bikes & Hardail Mountain Bikes
Though less popular in urban areas than they once were, for many riders, traditional mountain bikes are still a great choice. If you own an older mountain bike, and can't or don't want to buy a new bike right now, some simple conversions will turn into into a great urban vehicle.
The smaller wheels and tighter main triangle of these bikes give the rider excellent control in stop-and-go city traffic. They make great, tough, bouncy urban vehicles once you change out the knobby tires. It you don't actually ride on off-road singletrack trails too much, you can add some fenders and a rack to enhance the bike’s urban functionality.
Make it your own!
Ultimately, what defines any bike is not what it is, but how it is used.
Our goal at Cosmic Bikes is to help you find a bike you will actually enjoy using, ride often and get your money's worth. Well-loved bikes are what we love to see. They take on a well-worn patina, and personalized touches like stickers and colorful accessories, and signs of use, like scratches and nicks. They have fenders, racks, and carriers like panniers, milk crates, even plastic wastepaper bins! These are all sure signs that the owner uses the bike and carries stuff on it. It is rare that someone who rides more than occasionally is perfectly happy with the bike exactly as it came out of the factory.
So have fun with it, and let your bike show some personality.
Comfort and fit
Sizing a rider to a bicycle must take into account not only the rider’s proportions —but also factors that are a bit harder to measure, including their physical condition, flexibility and personal preferences— and use them to find the best frame size and optimal placement of points of contact: saddle, handlebars and pedals.
However, finding the best fit on a bicycle is almost always bound to involve some compromises. Even if you order a premium custom bike made to your exact proportions and specifications, chances are you will have to make some choice between comfort and performance, speed and stability, aerodynamics and viewing the scenery.
With stock bikes typically available in bicycle store showrooms, this is even more true. Each bike manufacturer makes several frame sizes of each bike model (usually between 3 and 5 frame sizes). Those sizes are based on certain assumptions about the rider's size and proportions, and these assumptions tend to correspond to a male physique more than the female.
If you’re a woman, you may wonder if you need a “woman specific” bike, until you realize that assumptions made about the average female physique (whatever that is) don’t come any closer to meeting individual women’s fit considerations any more than assumptions about riders in general (Don’t believe me? Read this thoroughly researched 2016 article originally published in Dirt Rag Magazine). Women are generally shorter than men, but not all women are short, and there certainly are some short men. It’s been said that men have longer torsos than women, but the length of torso may or may not have anything to do with the length of the arms, shoulder width, relationship between thigh and calf length, or a zillion other things that affect how you fit on a given bike.
The truth is that most of us —male or female— in one aspect or another, fall outside of the "average" build criteria, and need to modify existing bikes to achieve better fit. And, on top of all of that, each rider’s intended use for the bicycle may differ from what the manufacturer envisioned.
So, even though there are several aspects of bike fit, before we get to them, you should first ask yourself what your purpose is for getting the bike. This is not about getting in touch with your inner cyclist. Physical fit considerations will be different for a person intending to go on a long bicycle journey, where long days in the saddle make comfort and stability paramount, from someone who wants to compete, where weight and agility may outweigh comfort. Those who ride primarily for fitness will have different needs from those who ride for relaxation, and still different for urban commuters. The trickiest scenario of all may be having one bike that needs to be a jack of all trades: commuter by day, fitness machine on weekends, and a touring rig during vacations. It’s a good idea to carefully consider your reasons for biking, and make sure they get included along with other fit considerations.
For a thorough discussion, please visit our Common Sense Guide to Bicycle Fit to help you understand what to look for when test-riding new bikes, and request modifications on a bike you may want to purchase.
OK, how much will it cost?
In an era when most of our purchases are either completely disposable, or expected to become obsolete after a season of use, a quality bicycle is remarkable for its longevity. We’ve talked a lot about the relationship between bicycle price and bicycle value, and we hope these articles will give you some perspective on bike pricing, and how much you should reasonably expect to spend on a bicycle you may enjoy for decades to come.
You could buy a car for that (...but would you want to?)
You probably could buy a car for the price of a solid, mid-priced $1500-$2000 bike. But if you’re shopping for a bike as car replacement, chances are you already know cars really cost a lot more than bicycles, and you’re looking for some value that a car can’t provide. And you may be reeling slightly from the idea that a $2000 bike is considered “mid-priced”. Fair enough. Let’s talk a little bit about how much bike your money buys in the real world.
Can you get a bike for under $300?
Maybe, but I wouldn’t recommend it. At that price range, you’d be looking at an internet bike or a bike from a mass merchant. At Cosmic Bikes we’ve serviced quite a few such bikes, and know first-hand that they are made with bottom of the line (and sometimes sub-standard) components and materials, and are not likely to give you enjoyment or long lasting satisfaction.
If that is all you’re able to budget for a bike, we recommend you look for a good quality used bike from a reputable source (someone you know, or a local shop that specializes in refurbishing used bikes).
Bikes priced $350-$500
Your best bet in this price range is a minimalist single speed “fixie” bike. One gear means less upfront expense and less maintenance. If you install a light fender set, skip a rack and carry a messenger backpack instead, you'll have the quintessential no-frills personal transportation bike.
Because single-speeds are simpler than geared bikes, in this range you’ll be able to get decent quality frame materials, pretty good wheels, and possibly even sealed cartridge bearings. You’ll likely find a fairly lightweight bike with a good set of tires, and even perks like a nice paint job.
Although it’s possible (though not as easy as it used to be) to get a hybrid or city bike at this price, you’re likely to end up with one that’s heavier than it needs to be, will lower quality components.
Bikes priced $600-$1000
In this price range you can find a wide assortment of quality hybrid, comfort and city bikes of various configurations.
Hybrid bikes will usually offer a range of gears that make them suitable for all urban riding situations, and versatile enough for recreational use and even light touring. Most hybrids today include disc brakes for dependable stopping under all weather conditions, and tires that have some level of puncture resistance. Some hybrid may come with commuting accessories such as fenders, kickstands and racks. More on hybrids here.
City bikes, perfected for daily urban use by millions of European bike commuters, offer simple, weather-protected gearing and braking mechanisms and durable, often heavy construction. They are made to be ridden in ordinary street clothes, in a very upright, dignified position, allowing for good view of the road. These bikes usually include commuting essentials, such as fenders, chain guards, racks, locking devices, dynamo lights and bells. If you are not too concerned about speed, a basic bike of this sort will carry you dependably over just about any distance in the city.
In this price bracket, you’ll be able to find a decent quality entry-level folding bike, such as Tern or Dahon, with 7-8 speeds, rack and fenders.
Bikes priced $1000-$2000
You will find plenty of options and assortment here, and bikes in this price range will have equipment and features that make them suitable for adventure, trail and distance riding.
Gravel & touring bikes. You should expect to spend a minimum of about $1200 for a gravel bike, and upwards of $1500 for a touring bike. Bikes in these categories are designed for long-distance travel, but also lend themselves well to longer commutes, giving the rider a more athletic and efficient riding position and multiple hand positions thanks to the drop bars. Though not as light as performance road bikes, they are built for fast-paced riding, and are sturdy enough to carry significant loads. They are durable and versatile, with wider frame clearances to accept a wide variety of urban tires, and eyelets for easy installation of fenders and racks. They typically come with stockier wheelsets that can withstand the beating they'll get on potholes.
Off-road bikes. For many riders, there is no bike as comfortable as a mountain bike. The smaller wheels and tighter main triangle of these bikes give the rider increased control in stop-and-go city traffic. Hardtail (front suspension only) mountain bikes make great, tough, bouncy urban vehicles, though you may want to change out the knobby tires for a smoother tread, add some utility with fenders and tack, and lock out the front suspension if you want a little more control on a city street.
Bikes priced $2000-$3000
This is the “sweet spot” range where you can pretty much get the bike of your dreams without going nuts. We’re aware that for many people spending $2500 on a bike is going nuts, but —trust us— there are much more expensive bikes out there. If this is how much you can budget on your bike purchase, you can pretty much go with a bike in any category that appeals to you. You’ll get a quality, lightweight frame with upper-end, precision components, and have a bike that is a joy to ride. A couple options available in this price range that you might not have thought of:
Brompton Folding Bikes. A Brompton transforms from a fairly small piece of portable luggage to a fully capable personal transportation device in seconds flat. For the urban commuter, they are the pinnacle of versatility, allowing you to combine biking with transit, taxi cabs, plus then never need to be locked outside. A nicely appointed Brompton is right about $2000.
Custom Builds. You can work with your local shop to build one-of-a-kind bike that suits your specific riding and lifestyle needs. Within that budget, your shop can source a quality frame, hand-build you a wheelset, and put together a component package that’s dialed in for how you want to use your bike.
Even if that initial price was in fact the same as buying an automobile, car ownership would quickly outpace the bike over time in operating, maintenance and licensing costs. And a $2000 car is sure to need some maintenance fairly quickly down the road, whereas —with basic annual maintenance— a $2000 bicycle will continue to pay you back year after year with improved health, self-sufficiency and sheer enjoyment.
Above $3000
If your budget allows, in this price range you will have a broad option of custom bikes, as well as specialty bikes in niche categories, such as cargo, electric, recumbents and trikes. Since these are somewhat beyond what most people consider basic, they fall outside the scope of this guide. If you're interested in exploring options in one of these categories, please contact us at 773-930-4076 to arrange for a consultation.
Learn even more about bike prices on our blog:
A quality bicycle offers literally lifetime value. Can your cell phone do that?
How much should a bike cost?
We compare bike prices to other more or less useful expenditures.
What if we convinced you, but you still can’t afford to spend that much?
Finding the right shop
In the end, we believe that a successful bicycle purchase is not the end, but the beginning of a relationship.
Therefore, finding a local bike shop you like, trust and can work with is actually the first step to a successful new bicycle purchase. This is especially true if you are new to biking. That's because if you really intend to use your bike, the bike purchase itself is not the end of the line. And you should definitely feel good about this new relationship.
Maybe that's too touchy-feely for some people. But, believe me, if you're going to take biking seriously, you have to get a little touchy-feely with your friendly bike shop, or at least a friendly bike shop employee.
It can be difficult to put yourself in the hands of an expert. But when you find the right shop, you can relax, because what it really comes down to is a person with some expertise and an open mind guiding you toward making your own subjective decision.
It’s also worth pointing out that the salesperson is only one stage in the chain of events that brings the quality product to the customer. The entire staff, from the product buyer, the assembler, the mechanic who checks the bike and takes care of the follow-up service, the manager who has trained the salesperson to uncover the customer's needs, everyone along the line contributes to the process of putting the right bike in the hands of the right rider.
So how do you find the right shop for your needs?
Go into your local shop, and ask a few questions, and see how you feel in the store. Does it feel like the staff are happy to see you? Are they willing to answer your questions? Do they treat you nicely and speak in a way that you understand? Do they show some enthusiasm for the way you’d like to use your bike?
If you've walked into the right bike shop, the conversation should change after you've covered some preliminaries. Now, they should be asking you questions. Whether you've walked in with no idea or a very specific idea of what bike you are looking for, the staff should try to learn more about your needs to help you explore the possibilities.
What was the last bike you rode?
How long have you had it?
What about it did you or did you not enjoy?
How much did you ride in the past?
What may have kept you from riding as much as you thought you would?
How do you plan you use the new bike you will buy?
Are there any specific features that you need in a bike?
After the initial conversation, you should have the opportunity to take a bike for a test ride. It may be only one bike, if it's one you're immediately drawn to. But most customers will need to try a number of different bikes to find the best fit and feel. Once you've identified the bike you like, the shop should be willing to make some additional modifications to optimize your riding experience. Typical modifications include a more comfortable saddle, swapping or trimming down a handlebar that's too low or too wide, changing the handgrips, tires, etc. There modifications may carry additional fees, but the shop should be willing to make the bike more comfortable for you.
Many shops offer some follow-up service with the purchase of the bike, but do ask some questions about that, make sure you know what's included, and make certain you'll feel good about coming back. At Cosmic Bikes we offer a one-year service package with any bike we sell. Although these services are offered for free (or, in the case of extended service, at a significantly reduced price) we genuinely hope you will take advantage of them, because it gives us the opportunity to make sure you are really happy with your purchase, feel that you made a good investment, and that the bike you bought has changed your life for the better.
And that is really the point of presenting you with this information: so that you end up not with an expensive doorstop, but a bike that you look forward to riding for sustainability, better health and pure enjoyment.