With financial woes up and economic luxury down, it is time to face the facts – bikes are trendy and possibly one of the best purchases a college student can make.

Fortunately, Athens is host to bike-savvy locals ranging from shop owners to organizations to daily commuters.

Strong advocates of the two-wheeled mobile lifestyle, they are eager to help any first-timer find the right bicycle.

STEP 1: Define Biking Lifestyle

To sum it up concisely, Brent Buice, co-chair of Bike Athens, said, “If you’re going to be riding off road, buy a mountain bike. If you’re commuting, get a hybrid. If you’re riding for exercise and/or commuting, get a road bike.”

Road Bikes

“Single-speeds, also known as fixed-gears, or ‘fixies,’ are pretty trendy right now,” Buice said. “They are road bikes that have been refurbished to have only one gear.”

“As a result, they are uncomplicated to ride, although pedaling them can be a challenge if the terrain changes a lot. You can go from coasting to getting a serious leg work out pretty quickly. They tend to have a funkier, do-it-yourself style,”

Road bikes are popular around town. They are a tad pricier, but light-weight and performance-oriented.

Mountain Bikes

As for students, mountain bikes are most popular.

Yet Buice points out one problem in its structure.

“Their fat, knobby tires make it much harder to pedal on paved surfaces. More surface area equals more friction, which in turn equals more work to turn the wheel. Also, the cheaper the brand, the heavier the frame.”

Hybrid

However, for committed commuters, the hybrid “combines the sturdier frame of a mountain bike with features of road bikes.”

These make reliable commuting bikes, and they often come pre-equipped with a chain guard, rear rack, and fenders.

“Fenders keep the water from flying into your face or spraying up and down your back. They make a bike look a lot sharper, too, in my opinion,” Buice said.

STEP 2: Check Up

Don’t end up as that chump.

There are four vital organs to a bike’s mechanisms that require check-up.

These include the frame, brakes, gears and tires.

The frame should not be cracked or warped. All gears should shift with ease while the chain remains on and brakes should allow skidding to a stop.

As for the tires, they should be able to hold air pressure.

All of this should be done before any monetary transaction occurs.

STEP 3:Pricing and Bargaining

A decent, new bike will run from $350 to $600. However, vintage bikes can just be appealing and super classy. Therefore, thrift stores, garage sales and the classifieds are ideal.

Local bike shops are also a great place to begin shopping.

“All I did when I bought my mountain bike was look at models in the stores. Then looked online and read about people’s experience with them,” said Chris Snare, a senior from Stockbridge, “I got my got my Cannondale from Georgia Cycle. They had good service and good brands. But The Hub Web site has good information for riding and purchasing certain kinds of bikes.”

STEP 4: Proper Fit

A frame that fits is simply safer, more comfortable and efficient. As Megan Lowry, a junior from Atlanta, suggests, “When you stand over the bar in the middle, there should be at least two inches between it and your lady [or man] parts.”

STEP 5: Accessories

Finally, there is one thing to get genuinely animated about – accessories.

Matching the color of the handle bar tape and bike adds a swanky touch of expression and, as some say, increases the appearance of speed.

As for clothing, jackets with good ventilation and longer back panels protect the back.

Avoid long overcoats and loose pants to prevent nasty blunders involving spokes, chains, gears and spinning wheels. Furthermore, try not to use hoods – they practically act as blinders.

Panniers, or “saddle bags,” are genius for hauling, but most folks prefer the wire baskets and do-it-yourself milk crates.

The most chic accessory is none other than what Buice stresses as “the helmet, helmet, helmet, as well as lights and bright clothes – a helmet.” A faulty accident could become the feature article of tomorrow’s newspaper.