But first, I suppose I have to buy one.
I’ve been thinking about this for months. More than that, even – probably more like a year. I’m not usually the type of person who plans so much before making a purchase: I don’t like shopping around, and I don’t like not having something that I want, so when I know I want something, I generally just go out and get it.
Not so with a bicycle.
The problem is, I’m terrified of getting the wrong one. I don’t want to just buy a cheap-o bike from Wal-Mart, though that would certainly be easier. I want a real bike. And real bikes cost real money. I’m willing to invest, but I want to make sure I’m investing in a bike that will be just right for me and my purposes. Follow?
I’ve recently become annoyed with myself and the fact that I still don’t have a bicycle. I haven’t even gone into a single bike shop yet, because, until last week, I didn’t know the answer to the most basic – yet most important – question: “What style of bicycle do you want?” There are so many styles – mountain, road, hybrid, recumbent, etc. – and I had no clue what the pros and cons of each are.
I did some research and found a fabulous article called How to Buy a Bike by Jim Langley that laid everything out for me. It was so informative and helpful, that I now know that I want a Road Sport bike. I consider this the first step. Now I just have to get myself to a bike shop and shell out some green!
On that note, if any of you know anything about bicycles and can recommend a brand and/or a great bike shop in the Pittsburgh area, I’m open to suggestions.
