Spend as much as possible of the overall budget on the frame, it's the heart of the bike. In broad terms a £400 frame will be lighter, more comfortable, better handling and stronger than a £300 frame from the same manufacturer - that £100 extra buys a lot more component quality at budget level, but it doesn't always make for a 'better' bike. A sorted frame means the bike will ride well and you'll get more from your cycling. Bear this in mind when looking at ranges of bikes from manufacturers and don't be fooled into spending more for a better component spec. - it can be better to go to the next frame up the ladder with lesser components.

So there's a simple order of priority when buying a new bike. This is something you should always consider when buying any bike.

• 1. Frame
• 2. Wheels
• 3. Contact points,/li>
• 4. Components

The first three are essential for comfort and performance. Components can be upgraded as time goes by, just because it has the latest rear mech. does not mean that the frame is any good or that the wheels have been handbuilt.

This may not be as costly as it sounds as some builders have budget options with the same attention to detail as the top of the range. Prices can start at around £350. Custom frames have an obvious (and major) advantage over production models - they have to be hand made. A well made frame from poor materials is always better than a poorly made frame out of good...

A good option at the budget end. The manufacturer has done all the worrying for you and made sure (or should have) that everything is in perfect harmony. Likewise a pick 'n mix approach from a good dealer will work well if they do the work for you, sometimes at a reduced cost if the complete bike is from them exclusively. So don't try to cut costs by shopping all over the place and trying to do-it-yourself, especially if you are a terrible mechanic, it always ends in tears.

There are hundreds of opinions on frame size. There are also many thousands of different body shapes and riding styles. So it's very hard to pin down exactly how a bike should fit. It's no good saying I'm 5'10" so a 56cm frame will fit, you have to consider arm, torso, leg and foot length. Then consider your injury history, aspirations and fitness levels. It's a minefield and you can buy a bike that is just doesn't fit.

Get the right size - a road bike that fits is the most important part of buying a bike. Ensure that you get some good advice on sizing your bike. Road bikes are usually measured in cm increments and come in standard (horizontal top tube) and compact (sloping top tube) geometry.

At entry level there are sadly only a few available - sadly because, try as hard as they might, the manufacturers can't make a aluminium frame with the same strength, longevity and ride characteristics. I'd say, if you can, always buy a steel bike first - it will last you several years and can be used as a winter trainer if you buy a more expensive second bike later on.

Reynolds, Deda, Columbus and True Temper make excellent steel tubing for bicycles

Popular misconception: Heavy, Deda Zero One is just as light as comparable Aluminium tubes. These days 18lb steel bikes are possible.

So find out what and how a frame is made before you buy. Tubing from Deda, Easton and Columbus are at the quality end of this market.

Popular misconception: Uncomfortable, Aluminium is now butted and far more bicycle friendly. Easton tubes can claim to 'ride like steel'.

The wonder material for bike building - or so you might think. Sure it's as light as aluminium, as strong as steel and as comfortable as an armchair... BUT you have to be a very good framebuilder to build a good titanium bike - it's a very hard material to work with. So be very wary of cheap titanium frames as cheap titanium is not as perfect as you think and there have been some horrendous bikes built in the past. Titanium is a high end material and as such should not be considered as a budget option, you will have to compromise too much on the components.

Popular misconception: It's titanium so it 'has' to be good, doesn't it?

Carbon is fast establishing itself as the new material for frames. It is stiff, it's really light in weight, it can absorb vibration and it can flex so it has excellent qualities for road bikes. Many aluminium bikes now have carbon sections. This is part fashion, part function and tubing manufacturers are falling over them selves to get on the Carbon gravy train.

Popular misconception: Expensive. Not anymore, carbon is going to be the budget material of the very near future.

Basically your budget will be the main factor at this point, but don't be wooed into thinking that cheap bikes are the best way to get started on the road. Just because cycling is a cheap form of transport (no fuel, etc) don't think you should try to 'go cheap' when buying the hardware. Don't just take our opinion though, Keith Bontrager is a highly respected bicycle engineer and designer. He used a highly effective marketing/advertising campaign a few years back to persuade you to consider the following 'conundrum' - it prooves our point quite well.

The cheapest material to make bikes from. This is why the market is flooded with hundreds of different types and models. On the plus side this means they are very competitive and you can get a lot for a little money, however on the minus side they can be uncomfortably 'stiff' and generally supplied in fewer sizes (usually S,M & L). So remember to always check the geometry before you buy as some frames are made to very strange specifications. The numbers quoted next to material relates to their alloy with the T suffix relating to the heat treatment e.g. 7075-T6. As with steel butted aluminium is stronger and lighter and quality frames are heat treated after welding to ensure maximum strength. Many cheap aluminium frames are neither.

Shopping around is the best advice, it is amazing the different opinions you'll get from different people, so make sure you take your time and consider all the advice you get. The member reviews database is a great place to find out what other people think of a bike you might be considering, so make sure you use it.

And finally, try and get a test ride. This can be difficult to arrange, but any time spent on the bike will add vital backing to your final decision. A ride around the back of the shop - often the most you can expect - is not perfect but is better then waiting until you get home to try out your new bike.

Argos Sports Bikes

• Big Mo Chopper Bike Blue
• Big Mo Bike
• Big Mo Cruiser Chopper Bike Black
• Chopper Bikes Red
• Cruiser Bikes
• Wishbone Bike
• Wishbone Bikes