Bicycling isn't just a way to get to work without a car -- it's an effective means of burning calories. If you're in the market for a new bicycle, you'll face the task of choosing a bike from the hundreds of models available. Knowing exactly what to compare and review when it comes to each component of the bike can help you narrow your options and find the best bike for your money.

Bicycle Purpose


The design style of every bicycle usually can be categorized into a major category, such as mountain biking, racing and road biking. Pick the category that best matches your needs. For example, if you enjoy going up rugged trails, a mountain bike is your best bet, although it'd be a poor choice if you simply need a road bike to get you from point A to point B in your neighborhood.

Seat


The lack of comfort in the bicycle seat, called the saddle, is the chief reason why people don't use their bikes as much as they'd like, according to a Bicycling magazine article. Hop onto the seat of the bicycle you're comparing. If it doesn't feel comfortable, ask whether other seats are compatible with that bike model. The choice is easy if all the compatible seats feel uncomfortable -- rule that bike out of your comparison shopping list.

Cranks


The crank is the circular gear that's connected to the pedal. It's responsible for transferring power from your pedaling to the wheel. The best bike will have cranks that measure 20 percent of the length of your leg, according to BikeRadar.com. Bikes with cranks that are too big or too small aren't just ungainly and not ergonomic. They also won't provide you with efficient power transfer, so you'll get tired faster.

Frame Size


Bike frames aren't one-size-fits-all. According to the National Bicycle Dealers Association, getting the right fit for the frame is one of the top eight most critical elements to review and compare when bike shopping. The bike frame should be proportional to the measurement of your pant inseam, but will vary slightly depending on the type of bicycle riding you'll be doing. For example, aggressive racers will have a more forward stance that requires a shorter frame, length-wise. Reputable dealers will be able to measure you and recommend the best frame size for your specific height and riding purposes, regardless of the manufacturer or brand.

Test Drive It


While all these comparison features can help you pick out the best bikes in the shop, you won't know for sure whether the bike's a good fit for your personal biodynamics and comfort levels until you take the bike off the shelf and give it a test drive. Bicycling magazine recommends paying attention to how your upper body feels while riding and whether the bike feels smooth and stable when you take turns.