To enjoy cycling, you must purchase the correct bicycle

Cycling is a brilliant exercise for building fitness, improving health and generally enhancing your overall well-being. You can have the best of intentions but if a bike isn't the right size, is too heavy or hurts when you ride it, no intention will be good enough to keep you on track.

Despite the various brands, makes and models, road bikes share some basic similarities. They are typically faster than hybrids or mountain bikes, generally have thin tires, rigid frames and drop down handlebars.

You should buy the lightest bike you can afford. At the end of the day you'll get what you pay for and while quality is expensive, a heavy, cheap and uncomfortable bike might put you off cycling altogether - costing even more money in the long run.

After you have decided on the type and cost of your bike, it is very important to be properly measured and fit so your bike fits your body style. Too often people buy a bike and try to start riding in whatever default position it is in. This quickly leads to sore necks, shoulders and backs and knee injuries. Remember, riding is supposed to improve your health, not hinder it.