The choice to utilize a bicycle as your main mode of transportation, is beneficial for a number of reasons. Just because you are riding a bicycle from one point to another doesn't mean it's your preferred way to travel. Some people have decided to take up cycling as a way to exercise. The thrill of competition draws other people to the sport of cycling. Still others ride bicycles as a hobby because they enjoy the feeling of riding a bicycle around their neighborhood. No matter your reason for needing to choose a bicycle, you need to consider a number of different things in order to choose the one that is right for you. These tips are intended to help you along your way.
One way to choose the bike that fits you is to sit on the bike and see if your feet will rest flat on the floor, in case you need to stop yourself. Some experts, however, say that this is not a good idea. 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. The seat will usually sit a little low and too close to the crossbar if you are able to bend your knees while your feet are on the ground and your backside is on the bicycle’s seat. 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.
If you intend to get a road bike then take 9" away from your total inseam. This is to account for the size of tires you will use on a road bike. City riding is done with thin tires, designed to work perfectly with the smooth concrete roads and sidewalks you find in a city. If you are looking for a mountain bike, you will want to subtract about a foot (twelve inches) from your inseam measurement. Again this is to account for the size of tires. Mountain bike tires are thicker than road bike tires, designed for rocky terrain. Mountain bikes can travel on city pavement but that is not what they are designed to do.
When getting a bike for kids you need to consider some altogether different criteria. You will want to choose a bicycle that is sturdy with wide tires and easy to use brakes (most children’s brakes operate find this by moving the pedals backwards). You will definitely have to consider how the bike looks when shopping for a child and you will want to find a well priced bike because children grow so fast.
The options and technologies available for biking are overwhelming as you search for a new bicycle. Your choices range from safety issues to those of fashion. If you feel like you are being deluged by choices, you are perfectly normal. Do your research and then you’ll feel better prepared to choose your new bike.
Look up some of your choices before you hit the store. The peace it will offer during shopping makes it very worthwhile.