How to: Guide to buying a new bike

Years of experience, solid advice, and personal attention from the Bike Universe team will assure you and your bike are the perfect match. The questions below will give you some options to think about before you head over to see us. If you’re not sure what bike is best for you, come in and we’ll ask you questions about what style of riding you do, and help you pick the right bike.

1. What style of riding do you enjoy?
The options run anywhere from commuting, trail riding, cruising, trick riding, road racing or triathlon training. Each has a type of bike that is ideally suited for that specific riding. Consider buying a bike that would fit the majority of the style of riding that you do. Of course, you can use your bike for more than that one single purpose, but you should buy with your main cycling activity in mind. If you’re not yet sure what type of rider you are, read types of bikes.

2. How much do you want to spend?
A bike that is $500 is quite different from one that is $5,000. And chances are if you are simply looking for a comfortable bike that will get you to work and back, you won't want to spend $5,000.
On the other hand, if you will be using your bike regularly, you’ll want to get something that increases your enjoyment of cycling and makes it more likely you’ll go out on your bike. Take weight, for instance. You’ll want a bike that doesn’t weigh a ton whenever there’s a hill to climb and isn’t too heavy to cart upstairs. shifting and braking also improve with price. the parts also last longer (durability).

3. What size of bike is right for you?
At Bike Universe we guarantee that your new bike will be the right fit, regardless how much you spend. We will do everything possible to ensure that your bike is as comfortable as possible. Whether it be changing the stem, adjusting the saddle, or handlebars, a bike has to fit you. Our staff have years of experience fitting different riders to the proper bike. Remember, if your bike is uncomfortable, it wont be as fun to ride.

4. What other accessories will you need?
Include in your budget an allowance for the extras that will make biking safer and more comfortable - like a lock, a helmet, fenders, rear carry rack, bell, gloves, water bottle. We have a large selection of accessories for all styles and tastes. Consider your total budget and then work backwards. You will be more prepared for different situations, and more likely to ride on a $500 bike with $200 of accessories than a $700 bike with no accessories. Other accessories you may want to consider are a cyclo computer, tools to do on the trail repairs. A patch kit, tire levers, and a hand pump are a necessity when traveling far from home.

5. What "after sale" service do you expect?
When you buy a Bike at Bike Universe as well as personal attention, all of our bikes come with the following:

• Manufacturers’ Warranty: Most bike manufacturers have a warranty on the parts on your bicycle. Because of the wide range of bikes, parts, and manufacturers, the exact type of warranty will vary bike to bike. Many are five years for the frame, one year for parts.
  That said, at Bike Universe, you can rest assured that if something truly goes wrong with any component on your bike, it will be resolved through the manufacturer ASAP so that you can get back on your bike enjoying the outdoors.
  
• Full Year of Service: This covers all the important maintenance that a bike should get while being used to keep it (and you) happy. We check for brake alignment, cable tightness, and air pressure with the care and attention that you only get at Bike Universe. We also oil the chain and moving parts and adjust and tighten where necessary.
  As well, we encourage you to come in a week or two after you’ve bought your bike. This is the typical break in period where cables will stretch and we can make any tweaks here and there. If you come in just twice, that’s worth almost $80.00.
  
• Guaranteed Fit: Getting you exactly the Right Bike is what we’re all about. The Right Bike will be a perfect fit so that you feel like you and your bike are one.
  
• Free Handlebar / Stem / Tire / Saddle Change: We’re not a one-size-fits-all type of place. And you’re not a one-size fits all type of person. That’s why we offer a free exchange of the handlebars, stem, tires, and saddle (within the same price range) so that everything on your new bike fits perfectly, for a truly great ride.

Each style is specifically designed for where you’re going, how you ride, and how long you want to ride. Whether you enjoy extended bike touring, zipping around town, or balancing across rocks on a forest trail, you’ll want to match your bike to the type of riding you do most often.

Types of Bikes Pick one or two descriptions that suit you best from the list below, and then drop by Bike Universe for a test ride. (You may also want to read our Bike Buyer’s Guide).

Downhill, uphill, and more:

1. Cross-Country: Your classic “mountain bike.” Front suspension, typically disk brakes, can go from the trail, to the pavement without skipping a beat.
2. Downhill: Jumping off cliffs… ‘nough said.
3. Free Ride: Urban adventure riding - stairs, ramps & ledges.
4. All Mountain: Full-suspension fun, let’s you go down, up and off pretty much anything.
5. Comfort MTB: Ride the Meewasin Trail or down the street.

Price range: $300 - $6,000

Road, speed and comfort:

1. Triathlon: You know who you are
2. High Performance Racing: Shave your legs and go!
3. Road Warrior: A road racing, mountain biking mutation.
4. Touring: Load it up and go! Gas not required.
5. Hybrid: Perfect for the Meewasin & getting to school or work in a flash.

Price range: $300 - 5,000

Freaks, geeks and outlaws:

1. BMX: Who know who you are.
2. Cruisers: “Whoaaaa....sweet John Deer Bike!”
3. Tandem: Twice as much fun.
4. Folding: Easy to store...take it anywhere!
5. Electric: Charge it up and go - flatten out those hills.
6. Unicycle: Who needs gears, breaks & chains?
7. Recumbent: Sit back & enjoy the ride.

Price range: $200 - $2,500

Kids, Kids, Kids:

1. Kids’ Bikes: From 2 to 12, we have them all.
2. Baby Joggers: Start them young.
3. Trailers: Both for kids and moving goods - no car required
4. Trail-Gator: Turn your kid’s bike into a tandem with yours.

Price range: $150- $800