This is an interesting question to ask and likely does not have a right or wrong answer. Many people ask this question, but it's simply not an easy thing to answer. The type of cycling that is best for you might be something that does not work for someone else. [...]

Single-speed (SS) bikes are a niche that has a bit of a cult feel to it.  Single-speeders have the reputation of being very tough ("bad-ass") riders but the reality is, single-speeding is not quite as difficult as people think.  SS bikes are incredibly efficient and fast. [...]

Bike Pedals come in three main types, Clipless, platform, and cage. Each type has its place in the industry, but when you're looking for new pedals or buying a bike, the bike pedals you get can make a big difference in how you ride, and how your bike performs.
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Full suspension mountain bikes are the choice of more than half of the people buying mountain bikes today.  They make climbing easier in rough terrain because the rear wheel stays in contact with the ground for better traction, more than on a hardtail which gets bounced around.  Descending on rocky terrain is better too, because instead of having to "pick a line" through obstacles, the suspension soaks up the bumps and keeps the wheels in contact with the ground. [...]

"Hardtail" means a bicycle with front suspension only.  Mountain bikes started out fully rigid, and when suspension forks came into the picture, the ride immediately got much smoother and nicer, and mountain biking saw a huge surge in popularity.  Hardtail bikes are lightweight, fast and efficient, and far less maintenance than full-suspension bikes. [...]

Fit should be the main consideration when buying a new bike. After all, even the most expensive bike won't seem that great if it's too big or too small. Make sure you get a bike with a frame that fits you properly for maximum comfort when going on bike rides. [...]

No matter the budget, stay away from cheap department store bikes.  Not to be elitist, it must be said that department store bikes are TOYS and not BICYCLES.  They are not built by professionals; they have poor quality components; there is usually no warranty; [...]

If you are thinking about getting a mountain bike, do you need to get shocks on it? Depends. The most basic mountain bikes do not have shocks, but as the price level increases, you will quickly find that mountain bikes will have either front-only shocks (hard-tails) or else full suspension, both front and back shocks (softails). [...]

Fit should be the main consideration when buying a new bike. After all, even the most expensive bike won't seem that great if it's too big or too small. Make sure you get a bike with a frame that fits you properly for maximum comfort when going on bike rides. [...]

The world of bikes is very diverse and specialized. There are bikes with very specific purposes and some that are good all 'rounders; bikes with mass appeal and niche bikes. Bike prices range from about a hundred dollars for a cheap department store clunker to well over ten thousand for a pedigreed race machine.

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