Many people have found reason in taking up cycling. There are those who decide to take up cycling because the price of gas is too high and the cost of maintenance on a vehicle is too high. Some decide to cycle because they want to have less of an impact on the environment when traveling.
And there are some who like to cycle simply because it is fun. No matter the reason you want to find the perfect cycle for you, you should keep certain things in mind when you are ready to go shopping. Bicycles should not just be chosen because of their looks or their brand name. Outlined hereafter are some pointers you can take into consideration when going out to buy your bike.
The first thing you need to do is try the bicycle on for size, meaning sit on it and make sure that your feet are still flat on the floor so you will be able to stop yourself. There are experts who state that this isn't a good way to choose a bike, however. They say that it is better to give yourself a few inches between your feet and the ground to create a more comfortable cycling experience. If your feet are on the ground and your knees are bent when you sit on the seat of the bike, it generally means that the seat is sitting too low for you and too close to the crossbar. Also, if you find that your knees are bent when sitting on the bike, your knees are going to come up too high when you are pedaling your bike.
If you intend to get a road bike then take 9" away from your total inseam. The size of the tires a road bike uses are the reason for this. These tires will be thinner and designed for efficiency on concrete roads or pavements. For a mountain bike you will need to take 12" away from your total inseam. This is because the tires of a mountain bike are different than those on a road bike. 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.
How many gears will you use on a regular basis? Make your choice by knowing that if you ride in mountainous areas you’ll need more gears than when riding in a flat area. You can’t evaluate the bike only by the number of gears it has. You may never have cause to use all index the gears. Why spend extra money paying for something that you don’t need? 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. 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? Which height is most comfortable for you? Are you a person who would rather your feet be flat on the ground when you are sitting or would you rather have a little room between your feet and the ground? All of these factors will come into play as you make your choice.