Cycles

There are so many bicycles on sale that it can be difficult to know what's best to buy.

Fortunately cycle retailers are keen to help you make decisions, and they have online guides to all the different types of bike, and types of cycling.

A W Cycles buying guides include information about the various types of bike - mountain bikes (i.e. with suspension), rigid bikes (i.e. without suspension), cycle cross, road bikes, BMX, children's bikes).

Evans Cycles buying guides include information about choosing the right bike, which provides a good overview, plus other guides about cycling in comfort, cycling to work, cycling for families and women.

Halfords' buyer's guides help you with choosing the right size, choosing suitable bikes for children and adults, and buying BMX, mountain, road and touring, town and trail, electric, folding, premium and own brand (Apollo) bikes.

Wiggle Online Cycle Shop also gives recommendations and guides to some bike types. Look for the 'recommendations' link at the top of search results after you click on a bike type from their menu.

You can double check online advice with the non-commercial Bike for All's 'How and where to buy a bike'.

Cycle fit

Electric-assisted, traditional, mountain bike or folder? Bicycle, tricycle, tandem or recumbent? Whatever you choose, it needs to fit. A good fit is essential for cycling safely and enjoyably. And the fit depends on the right sized frame for your body. The right frame size can be fine tuned for complete comfort, but the wrong frame size will cost you a lot in accessories that won't completely solve the problem.

If you're of average height, you'll be able to find a comfy bike from most retailers, but if you're tall or small, pay attention to detail.

For the right frame size for a conventional bike (ie not a recumbent), first check that you can stand over the bike without parts of your anatomy coming perilously close to solid metal. Then check reach - this is the distance between saddle and handlebars. Too far apart and you'll be stretched out and suffer neck, shoulder and wrist problems. Too close and you'll bang your knees on the bars. Handlebar design and height affect reach, as does the length of handlebar stem, and saddle position, but you should only be making these adjustments for fine tuning. Wiggle's bike size guide and Evans Cycles bike size guide take you through the basics. A W Cycles bike fitting and sizing also provides information and appointment details.

Crank length is another vital statistic often overlooked by cycle sellers. Cranks are the metal bars connecting the pedals to the chainwheel, and for seated cycling should be roughly 20% of your height, or 10% of your inside leg measurement, to avoid knee damage. The correct crank length is also essential for cycling effectiveness and enjoyment - you would not believe how much difference it makes. For off-roaders who spend most of their time standing on the pedals, the crank length is longer. However, this means fashionable mountain-bike style cycles, which will probably never be taken near a mountain, will also probably have longer cranks. So ask for them to be changed if you plan to sit on the saddle for most of the time.

Cycle accessories

There are plenty of guides to choosing and buying accessories eg lights, pumps, locks, saddles, pedals, bike bags, racks, tyres, tubes, cycle carriers for cars....

Evans Cycles buying guides - when you visit their page, scroll down past the pdf file links to find lots of guides to cycling essentials.

Halfords' buyer's guide to cycle accessories includes lights, locks and pumps.

A W Cycles buyer's guide to accessories was not accessible last time we looked (11th April 10) but do check as we've reported this broken link.

Wiggle Online Cycle Shop also gives recommendations and guides to some accessory ranges. Look for the 'recommendations' link at the top of search results after you click on a product category in their menu.

Halfords' buyer's guide to cycle carriers describes the main types and usefully lists incompatible car/carrier combinations .

For information on accessories from a non-commercial quarter, also take a look at Bike for All's guide to bike kit.

This page includes A W Cycles, Evans Cycles, Halfords, Wiggle Online Cycle Shop, Bike for All buyer's guides to choosing and buying cycles, bikes, bike sizes, types of cycle and cycling, bike kit, accessories, cycle carriers for cars, incompatible car/carrier combinations.