Roadblock: Riding Is Uncomfortable

It shouldn’t be. Discomfort is most often a by-product of poor fit. To avoid dooming your new bike to a future of neglect, find the frame style and size that work for your body. Most bike shops encourage customers to go out for test rides, so take a few models for a spin. Are the hand brakes easy to reach? Can you put your foot down flat? Do you pedal smoothly ­without ­over-extending your knees or rocking your hips? Discuss concerns with the salesman or mechanic, who can adjust fit. Resist the urge to buy a bike for its colour, or because it’s just like your friend’s. If it’s not 100 per cent comfortable, you won’t ride it.

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