While being an environmentally friendly method of transportation, bikes are also a fun way of exercise. They can be used for errands, commuting, pleasant rides on country roads, as well as for participating in tours or competing in races. It's necessary to choose a bike well equipped for whatever use you have in mind. The purpose of this article is to help beginners and riders who don't ride very frequently or have not ridden very long find the perfect bike for their needs.

First let's decide where we want to start riding.

The first thing you have to consider is what kind of road you'll be riding on. Will it be mostly paved roads? Gravel paths? Both? There are many bikes built for a specific use or type of riding, but there are some bikes that are versatile and can be used in various situations just by changing the tires. To start off I'm going to explain the various bikes. Each of the categories puts a great emphasis on the bikes' performance, comfort, and versatility.

Road Bikes

Best Ridden On: Paved roads

Description: Road bikes are lighter than your typical mountain bike or standard bicycle, and can be used for fitness riding, commuting, long rides, and many other events like touring and races that take place on paved roads. Road bikes are good for anyone, from beginners to veterans. It is essential to find a bike that fits well to your body. If you continue riding a bike that doesn't fit you well, it not only is uncomfortable but can cause pain and lower the efficiency of pedaling as well. We have road bikes made for riding in the aerodynamic riding position, as well as ones that can be ridden in the upright position.

• Drop bar handlebars are light weight and aerodynamic, so they are a good match for riders interested in riding faster or using energy more efficiently to propel the bike further. When riding a bike with a drop bar, unlike a flat bar handlebar it's built for riding in a more aerodynamic position that requires you to bend your hips more than usual, so it may be painful for riders who are not very flexible.


• Flat bar handlebars have the efficiency of a drop bar handlebar while still allowing the rider to sit in an upright position. Because of that, you can ride higher up and more comfortably in the upright position and have a better view of your surroundings, increasing your safety. Also, in the upright position the strain on the wrists, shoulders, and arms is decreased in comparison to the drop bar. It is versatile, but it is less aerodynamic and slightly less efficient than the drop bar.

Mountain Bikes

Best Ridden On: Unpaved roads and gravel paths; also can be ridden on paved roads (after replacing tires)

Details: Mountain bikes are built tough and equipped with a brake system that excels in absorbing impacts, so it's a comfortable ride even across rocky paths, roots, unpaved roads, and uneven surfaces. It also has a lower gear put in so it's a stable ride on steep surfaces as well. Among the high grade models, there are some that are both tough and light weight. They can easily clear holes in the road and other obstacles, so they are useful for commuting as well. However, please note that when riding on paved roads the mountain bike's 26 inch tires are less efficient than 27 inch road bike tires. When using a mountain bike for commuting, we recommend switched out the tires for smoother and more slim tires. Among the recent mountain bikes some are equipped with 29 inch tires. These tires have less resistance when turning and can go over obstacles even easier, making it a pleasant ride for tall riders as well. However, they are not as nimble and do not handle sharp turns as well, so we can't recommend them for winding roads.

Mountain bikes are typically divided into two categories:

• Hard tail bikes have the suspension on the fork, or the front wheel of the bike, and the rear end is hard and does not have suspension or shocks. This type of bike is lighter and less expensive than the typical mountain bike. If you want to ride on both paved and unpaved roads, the hard tail is very versatile and easy to ride. Compared to a full suspension bike, the hard tail is not as stable on winding roads and is unable to absorb shocks as well, which sometimes leads to a loss of friction on the rear wheel.
• Full suspension bikes have rear suspension shocks on both the front and rear wheels, and are great for riding on country roads, steep roads, and unpaved winding roads with uneven surfaces. It's also fit to be able to take more aggressive handling such as jumps and drops of approximately 1m50cm. Just as was written above, full suspension bikes are generally more expensive than hard tails and heavier.

Recreation Bikes

Best Ridden On: Paved and unpaved roads

Description: These bikes are really comfortable to ride and are easy to handle. They're very good for riding on flat roads or parks in your neighborhood or for riding on bike baths. There are models with large tires as well. Recreation bikes are good for general riding as well as light family rides and riders who haven't ridden in a while. Many of the recreation bikes have larger tires equipped so they can be ridden on both paved and unpaved roads. Among these, there are ones with even larger tires, making for an even smoother and more efficient ride.
Below are the two standard types of recreation bike:

• Comfort bikes are just like the name says: comfortable. They're equipped with 26 inch tires that are much wider compared to other paved road use bikes, as well as a saddle that can be sat on comfortably. There are many styles that can have seat post suspension installed, and with that put in the impacts to the bike are greatly reduced. There are also some comfort bikes that come with an internal rear hub with gears attached, which makes maintenance easy.
• Hybrid bikes have the good qualities of both road bikes and comfort bikes. They have comfortable saddles that allow you to ride easily in an upright position, and comes with 26 inch tires for greater efficiency when riding. Hybrid bikes are great for people who want a commuting bike or just want to have a relaxing ride in the park.

Urban & Commuting Bikes

Best Ridden On: Primarily paved roads (can be ridden on some unpaved roads)

Description: Urban bikes were made with riding through the city in mind. The frame and tires are very sturdy. They are ridden in the upright position, allowing the rider to be seen easily by drivers and have a better range of vision. Many commuting bikes come with a rack, light, and fender.

Women's Bikes

Description: There are road, mountain, comfort, and hybrid bikes for women, but all of them have a frame and saddle equipped to better fit a woman's body, as well as a wider saddle. For example, the top tube of the frame is 1~3cm shorter than the one in standard bikes, and the distance to reach between the saddle and handle bar is shorter as well to better suit women's bodies. These bikes also have shorter shifters and fit perfectly in women's hands.

Other Bikes

Cyclocross Bikes: Cyclocross is one variety of bike race that has riders go over many types of terrain, such as paved roads, gravel roads, and grassy areas. These courses have obstacles that require the rider to carry the bike as well. Cyclocross races are similar to road bike races, but cyclocross bikes are even lighter and are built tough, with many of them equipped with thick, sturdy tires to adapt to any terrain.


Fixed Gear Bikes: Often called Fixy Bikes, these are bikes without a free wheel mechanism and usually have only one gear. They were associated with track cycling for a long time, but with their light and simple structure, they've become popular for riding through town.

Foldable Bikes: These bikes are made to be folded up and carried inside a bag, and are very useful for commuters who don't have enough space to store a bike at their work or home. The bike itself is light, but also sturdy and easily foldable. We strongly recommend this bike for people who want to go traveling on bike.

Electric Bikes: These bikes have an electric motor equipped to help ride up mountains and hills more easily, and allow the commuters to ride quickly without using up too much energy. Using built-in sensors, it detects how much pressure the rider is putting on the pedals and applies extra power as necessary.

Choosing the perfect bike.

No matter what type of bike you decide on, you should always choose the bike that fits your body best. Luckily, bikes are sold in various frame sizes. Please try this simple check to check whether the frame fits the size of your legs. First, straddle over the top tube of the bike.　Generally for road bikes having 2.5cm of clearance is preferable, an over 5cm clearance for mountain bikes. Recreation and comfort bikes are typically made with more room. To measure accurately it's better to wear the appropriate shoes when testing a bike.
Next let's decide the position of the saddle. The saddle should be at the height where your leg bends just slightly when you have your foot on the pedal at its lowest position. The saddle should always be at the proper distance from the handlebars as well, positioned so that your arms are bent slightly when gripping the handlebars and not stretched out completely.

Test Rides

When choosing a bike, the most reliable way to find out if it's right for you is to test ride it. If there's a certain bike you're thinking of purchasing, try asking if there is a bike available for test rides.

When choosing a bike for your child

For children's bikes there are many options, from bikes with train wheels to standard bikes sized down to fit middle schoolers. When buying a children's bike, the most important thing to check is size. What you always want to consider when purchasing one is not the size of the frame, but the size of the tires. The most common tire sizes are 16, 20, and 24 inches. The perfect size for your child would be one that they can straddle comfortably with their feet touching the ground. We don't recommend buying a larger bike for your child to grow into. If you purchase a bike that is too large, it decreases their skill at riding and their confidence when riding a bike. A bike that is perfectly fitted to your child is easy to control and less dangerous, which makes it more fun for the child. And don't forget to have them wear a helmet!

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Bicycle Q&A

Q.Is it okay to do many things and ride on lots of different terrain on one bike?

A.They are many versatile bikes available, but not all bikes are able to be ridden in any situation. The biggest reason for this is the difference in tires. For example, a road bike won't hold up as long when equipped with tires other than the standard smooth, slim type. Even so, many recreation bikes come equipped with tires capable of riding on both paved and unpaved roads. Also, many mountain and recreation bikes can be equipped with thicker tires.

Q.Is it possible to replace my saddle with a more comfortable one?

A.It is possible. There are many different saddles of varying sizes, and saddles built specifically for women as well. Generally men's saddles are slim and long. Riders who haven't ridden in a long time may want to find a more comfortable saddle filled with gel pads to avoid discomfort. If even then it still isn't comfortable, you may want to adjust the angle of the saddle. Having the saddle slightly bent forward is usually said to be the best position. For riders who ride everyday or take long rides, it's best to make sure your saddle is positioned properly.

Q.Does the handlebar change how you can ride the bike?

A.Yes. When looking at a bike, the first thing you want to pay attention to is the height of the saddle and the handlebar. Generally it's said that the lower the saddle is relative to the handlebar the more comfortable it is. Recreation bikes are a prime example. On the other hand, bikes with the saddle higher than the handlebars are more aerodynamic and are easier to pedal. Because of the positioning it may be less comfortable, but it is able to be ridden much faster. Please note that we do not recommend this style to riders with hip pain. A more detailed description of the handlebars is located in the road bike section of this article, so please look there for further information.