The 2016 Ultimate Bike Buyers Guide

Here is our picks for the Top 10 Bikes in the 2016 product lines to help you get the most bang for your buck. Our Bike reviews are based on research and comparison of various models, styles, and brands. If you’re new to biking  its really important that you understand what you are looking for before you one. If you are looking to purchase a bike in the near future this bike buyers guide is for you.

How to buy a bike:

1. Figure out what kind of bike you want
2. Check the most popular brands to see what works for you(Schwinn, Huffy, Diamondback…etc.)
3. Read reviews for pictures and specs
4. Shop on Amazon for your bike clicking the “Buy on Amazon” Button

How Do You Know What Size Bike To Get?

To determine what bike size works best for you, please use the bike height chart below.

What Kind of Bike Should I Get?

This is the first question you should ask yourself before you start your search for a new bike. There are many different kinds and models, and each has their own purpose. Below is a list of the different types of bikes available.

• BMX Bike – BMX bikes are off-road sport bikes, they are used for racing and stunts. BMX bikes are good on dirt, vert, park, street, and flatland. BMX stands for Bicycle Motorcross. 

  Model	Fit Savage 2	Mongoose Legion L60	Framed Attack LTD
  Frame Material	Chromoly Triangle	Hi-Ten steel	Chromoly Triangle
  Gears		25x9T gearing with cassette driver	3pc Chromoly Tubular 175mm w/Unsealed American Bottom Bracket
  Brakes	Alloy 990 U-Brake	Rear alloy u-brakes with alloy brake levers	APSE Alloy U-Brake
  Wheels	Alloy Sealed	36 spoke alloy 20" wheels	36h DOUBLE Wall Anodized Alloy Pinned on 20" Tires
  Reviews	Read Full Review Here	Read Full Review Here	Read Full Review Here
  Star Rating	4.8 out of 5	4.1 out of 5	4.6 out of 5

• Mountain Bike -A mountain bike or MTB for short is a bicycle designed for off-road cycling.
  Mountain bikes are similar to other bikes, with the addition of features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.
  Mountain bikes are usually rode on mountains, mountain trails, fire roads, park trails , single tracks and other unpaved environments.
  Most of the terrain that is best suited for MTB’s is  rocks, pebbles, sand, loose gravel, roots, and steep surfaces on both inclines and declines.
  Mountain bikes are built to handle rough terrains and are best for people looking to go off-road.

	Diamondback Sorrento	Diamondback Overdrive Sport	Diamondback Overdrive Comp
Frame	available in 16-22" Aluminum Frame	available in 16-22" Aluminum Frame	available in 18-22" Aluminum Frame
Gears	Shimano 7-speed rear derailleur and 3 speed front derailleur for 21 different gear combinations	3x9-speed drivetrain with Shimano Altus shifters and a Shimano Acera rear derailleur	Shimano Deore 2x10 drivetrain
Brakes	Linear Pull	hydraulic disc brakes	hydraulic disc brakes
Wheels	27.5" wheels	27.5 inch SL7 aluminum doublewall rims	27.5 inches
Reviews	Click here for full review	Click here for full review	Click here for full review
Star Rating	3.5 out of 5	4.2 out of 5	4.8 out of 5

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• Balance Bike – Balance bikes are starter bikes for small children as young as 15 months. Unlike tricycles, balance bikes focus on balance, and not just depending on the training wheels support. This helps transition children to ride a standard bike without training wheels.
  
  

  	Radio Flyer Glide N Go Balance Bike	Schwinn Kwickster Balance Bike	Strider 12
  Age Range	2-3 years	2-3 years	18 months - 3 years
  Adjustable Seat	Yes	Yes	Yes
  Removable Pegs	No	No	No
  Price

• Tandem Bike – The tandem bicycle also know as the twin, is a type of bike designed to be used by more than one person at a time. The word tandem is in reference to the seating arrangement (one seat in the front, and one seat in the back), not the number of riders. A bike with two side by side riders is called a sociable.
  
  

  	Hollandia Rathburn Tandem Bike	Kent Northwood Tandem Bike	Micargi Island Tandem Bikes
  Frame Materials	Steel comfortable cruiser frame with a steel fork	Steel	Steel
  Gears	18 speed Shimano drivetrain	21-speed Shimano Tourney drive train and Revo twist shifters	Shimano 18-Speed Shifter
  Brakes	Front and Rear V-Brake	alloy linear pull V brakes	Linear pull
  Wheels	aluminum wheels	26 inches	Aluminum Alloy Silver Rims with 26" White Wall Tires
  Reviews	Read full review here	Read full review here	Read full review here
  Star Rating	3 out of 5	4.5 out of 5	4 out of 5

• Exercise Bike – Exercise bikes also known as stationary bikes, are non-mobile bikes, with the sole purpose of fitness. These bikes are perfect for people who like the health benefits associated with biking, but despise going out. These bikes are good for people who live in places where the weather is frequently bad, or that have very cold winters.
  
  

  	Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike	Pro Indoor Cycling Bike	Pinty Upright Indoor Exercise Bike
  Foldable	Yes	No	No
  Seating	Full Adjustable	Fully Adjustable	Fully Adjustable
  Weight Capacity(lb's)	300	275	400
  Reviews	Read full review here	Read full review here	Read full review here
  Star Rating	4.7 out of 5	4.3 out of 5	4.7 out of 5

Importance of choosing the right Bike

Different bikes are created for different applications. The bike you choose should be selected based on the type of bike related activities your plan to engage in. Bmx Bikes are good for those looking to learn bike tricks. Mountain bikes are good for people who want to go off-road and hit the trails. There are different types of bikes for different situations Not all bikes are the same, they come in a wide range and some come with a large amount of options for upgrades. With so many options available its very easy to get overwhelmed, so we provide reviews and comparisons so that you can make an informed decision. Here we will provide some of the features that make up a good bike no matter what type you choose, and should be considered before you make a purchase.

1. Frame Material
   One of the most important things to consider when purchasing a bike is the frame material. In today’s high-end bicycle frame market, most customers often decide on their brand preference based on the material the frame is made from. The most common materials are Carbon (High-Tensile) Steel, Chromoly (Chrome Molybdenum) Steel, Titanium, Carbon fiber and Aluminum. The frame material makes a difference because it has a direct impact on the bikes weight.  In addition to the weight, also consider the bikes geometry, butting, and welding.
2. Wheels and Tires
   A good bike should have good wheels and tires. Bike wheels come in many different sizes and types. If you are just an entry level rider, or you just like to take the occasional ride with friends, you will usually be ok with the stock wheels. For serious bikers, the wheels can make a huge difference depending on the activity.  The wheels on your bike affect its weight and balance. Two of the different types of wheels are Aerodynamic Wheels and Carbon Fiber Rims. Aerodynamic wheels are generally heavy but are very tough and though heavier, they can be much faster. Carbon fiber rims are the way to go if you are trying to shave off some weight which can make biking on the incline and climbing easier.
3. Gears and Shifters
   You can think of gears in a similar manner as speeds. A bike with 21 gears would be considered a 21-speed bike. Most bikes gear setups range from 1-27 speeds. The most common have 1, 3, 18, 21, 24, or 27 speeds. 10 and 15-speed bikes are no longer being manufactured and have been deemed obsolete. The lower gears are represented by the lower numbers and the higher gears are represented by the higher number. Shifting means going from one gear to another. Changing bike gears can be achieved by using the shifter located on the handlebars. Using the shifter causes the chain to shift onto a different size gear . The difference in gears changes the tension while pedaling. Having a wide range of gears is important if you intend to ride on many different types of terrain.
4. Brakes
   Brakes are important and differ across the different kinds of bikes. All bikes come with stock brakes, but if you get serious about biking eventually you will probably want to upgrade to some higher quality brakes. The common types of brakes found on most bicycles are spoon brakes, duck brakes rim brakes, disc brakes, drum brakes, coaster brakes, drag brakes and brand brakes.

Common Mistakes That Bike Buyers Make:

Many times the buyers regret buying a particular bike. Here are some common mistakes committed while buying bikes that should be considered before making a purchase.

• Buying the wrong type of bike: Many people mistakenly think all bikes are the same, knowing what kind of activities you want to engage in should be the driving factor in your purchase.For example, someone who wants to get into doing bike tricks, should not by a mountain bike.
• Buying an uncomfortable bike: All bike components are not created the same things like the handlebars, bike pedals, bike seats and wheels all make a difference in the overall comfort. Some stock items are not comfortable and should be upgraded
• Too Advanced: It doesn’t make sense to buy a top of the line pro level bike if you are a newbie, or only planning to take your bike out once a week during the summer months.
• Paying too much: If you are only a part-time biker and only plan on engaging in light biking, it doesn’t make sense to spend an arm and a leg.Many of the mid-range bikes will be able to satisfy the novice to intermediate biker. If you plan on engaging in long races, extreme trails,