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. Some are 'going green' and taking an active part in trying to help our environment by choosing to ride a bike over a car.
Still others simply ride bicycles for fun. Whatever your reason for going cycle shopping there are some definite criteria that you need to think about before you make your choice. If you really want to choose the perfect cycling bicycle, you need to think about more than just what it looks like. Outlined hereafter are some pointers you can take into consideration when going out to buy your bike.
It is important to know how your bike comes to a stop. Brakes are very important on a bike, you need to understand how they work and what type you will most likely need for your bike. There are some bicycles that have breaks that are designed to grab onto the wheels and squeeze then in order to stop the motion, and this is great for a hobby rider. However if you use your bike regularly and on serious terrain you should go with more sturdy brakes. Disc brakes sit within the wheels themselves and work are less likely to give out under stress. Some individuals may be surprised at the recommendation that the seat not be adjusted to the lowest setting available, which causes it to contact the crossbar. You always want to change the position of the seat so that it is a few inches higher than normal, so keep this in mind when picking your bike. When you bring the seat up a few inches, you are going to have more room between the crossbar and you, and this will make for a much more comfortable ride. The best way to adjust is this way, place your foot on the pedal at the lowest setting, this hyperlink then extend your leg almost fully, and adjust your seat to accommodate.
How many gears will you use on a regular basis? Traveling through flat areas requires far less gears than riding in a mountainous area. Many beginning cyclists think that the more gears a bicycle has, the better it is. You may never even get around to using all the available gears. Don’t spend money on something you won’t use. Know how you’ll ride your bike; make sure you have the correct gears for traveling, especially when this is your main mode of transport.
How well you fit physically with your bike is what is most important. Selecting a bike with a good fit for you is of the utmost importance, when using a bike as the main way to get from A to B. You want to feel comfortable and safe as you travel from one point to another.