There's no shortage of reasons why people are taking up cycling. 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.
And there are some who like to cycle simply because it is fun. If you fall into these categories or are in one of your own and you are shopping for a new bike, take the time to read up on some of the things you should know before buying. You will be surprised at how much more there is to a bicycle than just the looks. Here are some helpful tips that you can use to help you decide which bicycle you should buy.
You need to make sure you pick a bike that is the right size. To do this, you will need to measure your inseam. To do this, simply run a measuring tape up the inside of your leg from the bottom of your foot to your groin. The goal is to be able to sit on the seat of the bike and still rest your feet flat on the ground. This is for saftey reasons and will allow you to stop the bike if your brakes fail, avoiding any injury.
Are you going to need to accommodate extra accessories? If you will need to transport things with your bike, you’ll need a basket. Will a child ever be transported on your bike? Then you have to choose a bike that will allow for a child seat attachment. Do you think you'll ever tow anything behind the bike? You will have to get a bike that can support the trailer's weight.
Where you set the angle of your seat is also something to consider. There are several angles you can tilt your seat at. Most people find a seat that additional reading is flat to be a bit too uncomfortable, so they tilt it the way that feels the best. Continue to adjust your seat until it feels the best for you. You could leave it as it is, but the narrow part of the seat might not allow you to rest comfortably in a forward leaning position.
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. A little time spent looking into the choices will allow you to relax and buy the best bike for you.
Try to understand your choices before you go shopping. It will pay off in the end.