How much should I spend on a bike?

The bike you end up purchasing will depend a lot on the type of riding you do, your budget and how seriously you take your biking. With models costing as little as $150 or as high as $20,000, you can be sure that there’s a whole range of quality between them. The very least you should probably be looking to spend on a good quality bike is $300. If your budget is below that you should try looking for a good used bike that will be a slightly older version of a new model.

Mountain bikes or hybrids for city commuting usually run around $300-$400 but you should plan on paying $500 or more for an off-road mountain bike that will last you. The extra abuse on the shocks and frame – not to mention your body – will be less of a problem with a quality-built mountain bike model. The extra suspension system that most mountain bikes take advantage of will make any rough ride down a trail, easier to take. Because of the ruggedness of these bikes, there are usually excellent deals to be found when purchasing used versions of the better models.

Serious bikers who know they’re going to be taking their bike out more often can plan to spend more than $700 on an excellent model that will last through many seasons of rough riding over mountain trails and down along stony creek beds. Many riders start out by purchasing the basic mountain bike model and adding part upgrades as they need them, such as better seats, pedals and suspension systems.

Try Your Local Bike Shop First

Personnel at bike shops are generally better qualified to help you find the best set of wheels. They can show you the best and strongest frame for the money you’re willing to spend and help you choose which accessories are best for you. You should also try to ensure that your budget has room for extras like a good helmet, tool kit and a reliable hand pump. Bike shops usually have their best deals at season-end when they’re trying to make room for the newer models coming into the shop. As with anything, when you’re trying to get the best quality, you should always try to spend as much as you can afford, to get the highest quality product available.

The more you plan on using your bike, the more you should plan on spending on it. Good quality models purchased from a qualified bike shop will require less maintenance than bikes bought from department stores. Some repairs to bikes can cost you a lot of money and so it’s always a good idea to get quality merchandise that shouldn’t require anything but simple maintenance for many years. If you’re planning on simply commuting back and forth to work over paved streets, then high-suspension mountain bikes aren’t really going to be necessary, so that will save you spending $1000 or more. Simple commuter speed bikes are available for anywhere from $200 to $400 and (in this case) department store models will most likely do the job. Again, if you’re not handy with small repair and maintenance jobs, you should probably go with better-quality models from a reputable bike shop. It can’t be stressed enough how much difference there is between bikes bought from a bike shop and those bought at a department store. Having advice from trained professionals and the ability to take bikes for test rides can make all the difference. Better quality products means the bikes will last longer and require fewer repairs and maintenance checks. Bike shop personnel will help to make sure the bike you purchase is the right one for you.