There is no shortage of reasons for choosing to cycle. Some folks are having a hard time keeping up with the rising cost of gasoline and maintenance bills, so they choose to ride a bike. There are those who choose to cycle because they want to do their part in helping the environment.
And others still are riding simply because they love to ride. No matter what the reason is for choosing a bicycle, there are some things you should keep in mind before you decide. Bicycles should not just be chosen because of their looks or their brand name. Contained hereafter are some hints and tips you can use to pick the bicycle that is perfect for you.
One thing you can consider when choosing a bike is whether or not your feet can rest flat on the floor while you are sitting so you can stop yourself. There are some people that say this isn't the best way to choose, though. They state the best way to choose a bike is to leave a few inches between your feet and the ground so you can have a more comfortable ride. When buying a new bike, you will see the seat is placed extremely low to the crossbar, so when you sit on the bike with your feet on the ground and are able to bend your knees, you should pick a different bike. Your knees will cause interference as you are pedaling, because they will come up higher than they should, which is a result of your knees being bent when you are at rest with your feet down.
Before you buy any bicycle, you are going to want to take it for a test ride. Take it around the block if you can to make sure that it's worth the money and it's right for you. Do you know of anyone that would buy a used car without taking it out for a test drive?
The same rule applies to a bicycle. You really need to do this if you are going to spend a lot of money on the bicycle, and if you are going to ride the bicycle a lot. You want to find a bike that fits you. There shouldn't be a problem in making the decision on whether or not the bike is the right size for you, but you should also keep in mind that it needs to fit your riding style as well. You don't want make an investment on a bike that isn't going to feel good to ride.
Be sure to allow room between the crossbar and yourself. When you get a bike be sure to move the seat up a couple of inches from the crossbar. Make certain you can still place both feet flatly on the ground. Each type of bike will require differing clearance amounts. As an example, with a touring bike you will only require around 1". If you are buying a mountain bike you’ll want more—three inches or so between you and the crossbar.
So many options are available to you as you shop for a new bike. From how safe the bicycle is to what it looks like, there are lots of choices to make. It’s perfectly normal for you to feel a little overwhelmed and perhaps a little perplexed when starting out. By investing a bit of your time to look at your preferences you will directory make the best decision.
Do this research before you go shopping. The peace it will offer during shopping makes it very worthwhile.