I’m such a novice when it comes to bikes. I had one as a kid (but never got super comfortable riding it) and have the occasional chance to ride one about once a year when I travel, but that’s about it. And I have a confession: I don’t really get the concept of switching gears (even though it’s been explained to me a few times) but I manage…more or less.

So a quick tutorial I got recently at Canadian Tire was helpful. I finally understand the different types of bikes. Not clear on it yourself? Here are some brief pointers on what sets apart the four types:

Mountain bikes have big tires and this is for you if you plan on biking on muddy trails. They have dual suspension. Although there is a Schwinn that’s exclusive to Canadian Tire that features single suspension and a 27.5-inch tire (which allows you to roll easily over rocks and sticks on the trails). Mountain bikes also feature disk breaks (which don’t get gunked up with mud and other debris).

Hybrid bikes feature a dual sport frame. The tires are thinner than a mountain bike but still feature knobby treads. They’re designed to be used equally for trails and in the city, offering the benefits of speed and agility.

City bikes are designed for comfort, so the seat will be wider and more comfy and the frame allows you to sit more upright. The city bike they carry at Canadian Tire now has 7 speeds added and a light aluminum frame.

Road bikes are for you if your goal is performance speed endurance. At Canadian Tire, they offer a road bike with the flat handlebar so you can sit more upright (it’s not typical for a road bike to have this type of handlebar) if you’re just new to road biking and learning the sport.

This, of course, is just brief rundown. When you shop for a bike at Canadian Tire, the staff will be able to help you find what you need.

Also, don’t forget a bike helmet when buying your bike (you’ll also want to make sure you have a bell and if plan to ride at night a light, too; both are required by law here)! And yes, I realize I’m not wearing a helmet here in these photos, but I do wear one when I ride my bike (Melissa, my friend from Best Health magazine, and I just didn’t wear them for these pictures). By the way, did you know you should replace your helmet every three years? That’s because the foam in the helmet starts to deteriorate. As for how to find a helmet that fits, there should be two finger widths of space from your brow bone to the helmet, and as for the strap under your chin, it doesn’t have to be flush to your chin; you should be able to tuck one finger between the strap and your chin and the V on each side should fall around each ear.

Ready to ride a bike this summer? With my new hybrid bike (yes, it was a gift from Canadian Tire), I’m keen for some

leisurely rides on paths. Although I’d love to use it to get around the city, I’m too scared to use it on downtown Toronto streets. I plan on using it to go to the Toronto Flower Market, farmers markets, Leslie Spit and on the Martin Goodman Trail. I’ve already used it to bike to High Park to see all of the trees in bloom and am really enjoying my new wheels.