Bike Finder, a Flow Essay, Year 2022

Ok, so you want to get a bicycle (here also called a bike), maybe your first right one, or probably just because you are tired of hearing how cool it is, and you want to give it a try. The purpose of this blog is to (allegedly) simplify your decision making, hoping that the outcome will make you even happier. Because, as they say, you can’t buy happiness but you can buy a bike and that’s pretty damn close!

Let's get it on... First, a few constraints:

1. Any bike that serves the purpose to get you briefly from A to B with no other side intention are here neglected. So, if you are looking for a bike to get you to the train/bus station or to pick up that warm and fresh-made bread, don't overthink it, anything will do, just get the cheapest you can get that rolls and stops. Don't forget a lock!

2. Your decision for a bike is not oriented to a particular brand, color or looks. If that is the case, this article is mostly irrelevant for you. Because, consciously or not, you kind of already know what you would-want to get. Go ahead, visit your local bike shop and buy that wandering machine!

3. Racing ruins the breed! If you want to race, any kind of cycling discipline, and I am saying, not only occasionally once or twice a year with your company fellows, but really get into regularly pumping your heart out of your chest, breathe out loud and fight like a (peace) warrior... If you are looking for that kind of Type II Fun, then this guide will not help you much. A totally different essay is on its way to coach the Café Racer inside you.

Then, some assumptions:

1. You have a budget defined for your bike. Either new or second-hand, you will need to trade some kind of currency to get a bike. Just get your $ number clear, with a bit of tolerance. The budget will not necessarily drive the quality of your acquisition, but it will certainly dictate your very final decision.

2. You are not in a rush to get that good quality freedom machine. Even if no pandemic is going around at the time of your search (and there is a shortage of bikes and parts), finding the right one, especially the one that fits you, sometimes, requires patience.

3. Right about now (around year 2022), for every single type of bicycle out there, there is its corresponding version with an electrical motor. If you want that extra assistance go for the bike with a motor, no guilty conscience. E-Bikes are (imho) one of the coolest additions to the bike world in recent years. Just note that the budget will have to be higher, anything from 20-50% higher to get an e-bike.

4. Prioritise a second-hand used bike over a new one, it's not only more affordable, it's environmental friendlier and it carries a sense of rebelliousness to it.

5. Don't sweat it on choosing over the different geometries, frame designs, materials or component choices. Just get away from those cheap bikes from convenient stores and stick to a "real" bike brand, and you'll be fine.

Now, let's go to the actual selection, follow the flow: