One of the most inspiring books that I have read in my life is "It's not about the bike" which is based on the time period when Lance Armstrong was battling with testicular cancer.
If you have any idea what this kind of cancer does for a man, you'll know how heartbreaking it must have been for him to deal with a disease that has a very low survival.
And to come back from it all, and win the Tour de France with the best time ever… that's the mark of a man!
And of course, while the title clearly indicates that it wasn't about his bike, there's no doubt that for some of us for lesser capabilities, getting a good bike is definitely a priority!
Buying a Bike – A Walk down memory lane, perhaps
Let's accept the fact that when we were kids, things were different in terms of why we wanted a bike. Of course, the budget mattered for a lot as you wouldn't have that much money and would have to convince (even bribe or beg) your parents to buy it for you.
As time went on, and as you got older, perhaps your interest in riding a bike became irrelevant and you might have given your old bike to the younger kids. In reaching full circle in your lives, there comes a point when buying a bike might be an option to keep fit.
But how does one know which to buy as bikes have changed so much since the time you were kids, and your needs might be so radically different from then?
How do you know which one is the best choice for you from the several brands that are available?
Perhaps in following a step-by-step process, our ignorance of bikes in this day and age can be dealt with, and so here is a list of steps that you follow that will show you how to buy a bike.
Steps in buying the right bike
Step #1: Before you even decide which brand you would like to purchase, first determine what kind of activity you want to use the bike for which could be anything from riding around the neighborhood all the way to trail riding.
Step #2: Next, you should get down to a bike shop and test ride different sizes of bikes so that you find the right fit, and which isn't too cramped or stretched but just right.
Step #3: DON'T buy the first bike that you like, though, and at the first shop you visit. Go to a few more stores and try riding other branded bikes of a similar size before putting down your money.
Step #4: While you are doing this, ensure that you keep in mind the costs of each bike that you test, and in this way, you can also narrow down your choices to those that fit into your budget.
Step #5: When you have narrowed the list of bikes offered, you can also check as to whether the components they offer fall under the budget you have in mind.
NOTE: If you really want to get the best bike, doing a detailed comparison of the different models available is a good idea.
In Closing
In one sense, Lance's book is about the bike because that was all he knew he could do with his life…
