As You Read This Article, I Think You Will Begin Too See What the Right Bike Can Do For You - By: Robert D. Waltz

One of the most important questions, if not the most important question is what type of bike should you be buying. This may be intimidating for someone new to the sport, but it can also be very fun and exciting.

Avoid making the wrong purchase by doing a little research ahead of time. Here are just a few questions you might want to ask yourself to help you along this process.

Should you be looking at carbon fiber bikes?

Carbon fiber comes in unlimited tube shapes that are just freaky cool. This carbon fiber is lighter than other materials. It's also designed to give the cyclist a quality ride that you just can't get out of metal or other materials. With the best mix of aerodynamics and low weight, carbon fiber offers a solid frame without the buckboard ride, which makes it great for racing.

Obviously the lower the quality of the carbon, the less expensive it will be. This will give you a dead ride quality feel when you compare it to more expensive higher grade carbon fibers.

A good alternative to a racy bike could be a mix of carbon and alloy or a high-tech aluminum. They won't give you as smooth a ride as an all carbon model, but they are relatively stiff and light and are a good alternative. For the smoothest ride go with all carbon fiber, however a titanium frame can also deliver. Spend on what you want, the choice is always yours.

Being a woman, should I buy a woman's bike?

Most standard bikes have been built based on the male physiology. Nowadays, you can find more bikes that fulfill the anatomical needs of the female population. For example, shorter reach levers to compensate for smaller hands. Some manufactures have even changed the frame by fine tuning the tubing to match the light body of a woman. This in turn creates a more comfortable confident rider and a better fit for the individual.

With the longer cockpit that comes standard with most bikes, the female rider almost always has to stretch their arms and torsos out while moving up the saddle. This makes it difficult to get a good grip on the levers and moves their center of gravity too far ahead. This causes lower power by removing rear traction from the tire. This is not an ideal situation for anyone.

To discover if you're better off in a woman's bike, go to your local bike shop and take a test ride. Then compare the difference by taking a ride on a man's bike. This is the only way to know if a woman's bike is for you.

Plush positioning or race positioning?

A plush position is for comfort. This upright position is when the angle between the top tube and your back is greater than 45°. This position gives you good control at slower speeds and will cause less stress on your arms, neck, and lower back, creating a more enjoyable ride. This position is not the most ideal for people who like speed and racing, but more for those interested in the riding experience and scenic views.

Race positioning on the other hand is when you're more stretched out and the angle less than 45°. This makes you more aerodynamic, giving more power to the pedals which is perfect when you're trying to make great time on those fast roads. Geometry is working here because the handlebar is just above the saddle. This position and design is made for power and speed.

When you make the decision to purchase you first bike, these are only a few of the questions that may come to mind. Don't make this any more complicated then it needs to be. Do your research, ask a lot of questions, test ride many different models, and then you will be able to make an accurate decision on your bike.

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