Anyone who wants to start rolling to work faces a bewildering array of choices. Should you get a fancy road bike? Hit Craigslist? Buy a hybrid, whatever that is?
If you plan to buy a new rig, no need to plonk down for a bike capable of traversing the Andes. Try out midprice bikes on an extended ride (many stores offer test rides), and make sure it fits. “A bike should not be uncomfortable at all,” says Erik Kugler, cofounder of the DC chain BicycleSpace. Knees should be slightly bent at the bottom of your pedal stroke, with your back at a 45-degree angle.
And the bike should fit your personal style and your needs. Here’s a quiz that may help:
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Andrew Beaujon joined Washingtonian in late 2014. He was previously with the Poynter Institute, TBD.com, and Washington City Paper. He lives in Del Ray.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
