How to buy a bike

Whether you're riding your bike to work, hitting the local trails with your family or racing down long stretches of highway à la Lance Armstrong, cycling is a great way to get reacquainted with cardio, work up a sweat, boost your heart rate and have fun while you're at it. When it comes to working out, there's no better motivation than seeing how far you've come ... in kilometres and in health.

But not all bikes are created equal so it's important to understand your options and know what you're looking for depending on your lifestyle. Before you hit the road, check out our guide to the three main categories of bicycles, plus tips on how to find the right ride for you.

Utility bikes
For busy office types who don't have the time to hit the gym, riding to work is a great way to sneak in a daily workout, not to mention save money and avoid traffic jams. If you want to trade in your car keys for a two-wheeler, you're best bet is a utility bike, which is designed for commuting and basic getting around. They also tend to have more of a classic European cruiser look (graceful lines, easy step-through frame, comfortable handlebars, etc.) making them a lot more fashionable than your average bike. For the ultimate utility bike, look for…

Safety: One of the key features of a city bike is a comfortable, upright position so you can look above traffic and see what's coming up ahead of you. "Most Canadian streets weren't paved with cyclers in mind so the safer the bike, the better," says Eric Kamphof, manager of Toronto's Curbside Cycle, which specializes in European imports including Dutch bikes from brands like Tavis, Pashley and Biomega – considered the world's experts on city riding.

Clothing-friendly: If you're going to be riding to work, to dinner or even the theatre, chances are you won't be wearing spandex so unless you want to roll up your pants to avoid grease stains and rips, look for a bike with fully covered chains and gears to protect your clothing.

Outdoor storable: Living in Canada means putting up with wet and snowy conditions and if you live downtown, limited space means your bike will have to brave the elements. Make sure yours has a rust-resistant frame and parts as well as internal brakes and gears. "It will cost you more upfront," says Kamphof, "but it'll make for a cleaner running bike, which can significantly lower your maintenance costs."

Page 1 of 2