Most people assume picking the right bike is an easy task. They think that all they have to do is pick out which bicycle looks the prettiest to them and allows them to sit comfortably. However this is not the case, there are plenty of things you need to consider when looking for the right bike. There is more to it nowadays than there used to be. Cycling is very popular at the moment, be it for sports, fun, transportation etc. With all these uses there are many different bikes to go with each. In recent times a trend has emerged of people riding bikes as their main method of transport. There are also plenty of people and families who love riding as a hobby. The following will explain how you find the best bike to suit your needs.
You must make sure you get a bike that is the appropriate size for you. For this you must calculate your inseam. Simply measure through your inner leg from your groin to the bottom of your foot to find out your inseam. You should ideally be able to place both feet on the ground when sitting in on your bike. This means that you will be able to stop your bicycle with your feet if the brakes do not work—without having to tilt the bicycle and risk doing harm to it and to yourself.
For road bikes take away 9 inches from the total of your inseam. The size of the tires a road bike uses are the reason for this. Road bikes are meant for city cycling—the tires are thinner and work best on concrete paving. For a mountain bike take away 12 inches from your inseam. Again this is to account for the type of tires you will be using. Mountain bike tires will be thick and designed for mountainous terrain. You can use mountain bikes for city cycling, but the opposite is not true and they are nowhere near as good on city streets as road bikes.
Never leave out the safety gear, either. Bicycle helmets have come a long way since they were first introduced. Not only do they look a little better now, they are also safer for you. It is important that you never ride your bicycle without also wearing your helmet. This little thing can mean the difference between life and death.
You might also consider investing in elbow, knee, wrist and ankle guards—especially if you are going to be going “off road†on your bicycle. Another piece of safety equipment that you should this post think about getting are pants clips, especially if you are going to be using your bike as a primary mode of transportation. They work by clipping your pants out of the way so they can't get tangled in the chain or gears. There are many different factors to take into account when finding the right bicycle. Is this a bike you are going to be riding every single day or is it a bike you are only going to ride every now and them? At what height do you feel the most comfortable? Do you feel more at ease with your feet just above the ground as you sit on the seat, or would you rather that your feet sit flat when you are at rest? Think about all this when buying your bike, and you will make the right choice.