I will address three levels of riders in this buyer's guide: entry level riders, young riders, and advanced riders.

Six aspects of bicycles will be addressed in the buyer's guide and these are materials, price/weight, sizing, wheels, aftermarket parts, and the look/color of bikes.

Just to let you know, here's a list of complete bicycle companies. Comment on the profile and tell me if I missed one. 2-HIP, BLACK EYE, COLONY, DIAMONDBACK, DK, EASTERN, FBM, FELT, FIT, HARO, HOFFMAN, KHE, KINK, MIRRACO, MONGOOSE, PREMIUM, REDLINE, STOLEN, SUBROSA, SUNDAY, UNITED, VERDE, and WETHEPEOPLE.

BEFORE READING!
Here are some basic tips before even reading the buyer's guide. A concept that you should apply to more things than buying a bike but is especially important here is that you get what you pay for. It's tough to weigh out decisions of different bikes that are priced more or less with different features and all, but that is what this guide is for. Realize that if you buy a cheap bike you get cheap parts, and sooner or later you will need to replace them as they degrade from hard riding. This is a common money pit for bike riders who do not understand parts that well.

Also, do NOT go brakeless unless you have ridden that way before. It is important to understand what makes brakeless riding good/bad and also, if you choose to go brakeless, I recommend a bike with permanent or removable mounts so that you are never stuck brakeless. ANOTHER thing is to buy from your local bike shop if you can. The internet may have cheaper prices but the internet will not be there to fix your bike and show you what is what when you have a problem with it.