Popular methods of transport have altered in recent times. Cars were the king of the road, however we can now see a growing trend in the popularity of cycling as a main method of transport. It could be down to efforts to remain green, perhaps people want to save money on high gas prices, or maybe many people just want to get in shape! The fact is there are plenty more cyclists on the road now than there were just a few years ago. Perhaps you have been giving some thought to getting a bike yourself? If so the following is some handy advice on what to look out for.
How your bike brakes is incredibly important. It is vital you understand how your brakes work and what brakes will be best suited for your style of cycling. If you are choosing a bicycle for sporadic hobby riding, you can get by with the brakes that are little more than pads that squeeze your tires to keep them from moving. If you are going to be using your bicycle more often or in heavy terrain, you will want brakes that are a little more hard core and complicated. The best kind of braking system to choose for this style of riding is the disk brakes, because they are build to handle more and are less apt to fail under stress. You will also need to consider which handlebars you want on your bike. As you probably know, there are many different types of handlebars. Handlebars that extend straight out give you more control over how your bike is maneuvered over rough terrain. These handlebars will also distribute your weight over a big area. For racing bikes you will want completely different handlebars, these handlebars will curve and allow you to ride your bike in a leaning position, this is to cut down on wind resistance and allow you to cycle faster. For those people who rarely review use their bikes you can get away with just selecting comfortable handlebars that can be stored away easily.
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. Different bikes will need differing clearance amounts. As an example, with a touring bike you will only require around 1". With a mountain bike a clearance of 3" will be necessary.
You should keep these things in mind when you go out and buy a bicycle, especially if you want to find the one that is right for you. It can be a bit tedious and frustrating to try and figure out what all you need when you are buying a bicycle. If you will not jump into things and try and educate yourself on what you need, you will be pleased with the results.