Cycling in Houston: How to choose the right bike

Bikes are no longer just for a Sunday ride. More Houstonians are hopping on to get fit, enjoy their surroundings, and as a means of transportation. Bike Manager Joe Ferrell at Sun & Ski Sports says choosing the right wheels for you is key.

If you're just getting started, you might want to try a bike that's good for a ride around the neighborhood.

"A leisure bike is more casual. Usually a bigger seat, really comfortable, upright sitting. You don't have to change to ride that bike," explains Ferrell.

A step up from the leisure bike is a mountain bike. "A mountain bike is an all-terrain bike. A lot of people opt to use them for the streets, especially with Houston's pot holes, bad roads, and sidewalks," Ferrell adds. A mountain bike has a bigger, wider tire, stronger wheel system, is great for off-road biking, and you can still sit upright.

For those wanting to try a long-distance ride, consider a road bike for distance and fitness. "The road bike is going to have a higher pressure tire, so with a thin tire, it's going to allow for less rolling resistance, so you can go faster, farther, easier," says Ferrell.

Finally, there's a bike now that's perfect if you have a need for speed and don't want to work too hard. "We have a Raleigh Electric bike. The bike is going to let you have a little extra push. So, when you pedal, the bike also pushes back, so it allows you to go faster without much effort," says Ferrell, but it isn't cheap. This bike retails for $3199.

In general, bikes range from $299 to $8,000, depending on your budget and what bike is right for you.

For more information, visit www.sunandski.com