There is no shortage of reasons for choosing to cycle. Some people choose to ride bicycles because they cannot afford the cost of gas and automobile maintenance. 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. 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.
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. When buying a new bike, you will see the seat is placed extremely low to the crossbar, so when you sit on the bike with your feet on the ground and are able to bend your knees, you should pick a different bike. 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.
Take 9" away from the total of your inseam if you plan to get a road bike. This is to account for the size of tires you will use on a road bike. These tires will be thinner and designed for efficiency on concrete roads or pavements. 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 type of tires you will be using. They are thicker and meant for a rockier terrain. Mountain bikes can travel on city pavement but that is not what they are designed to do.
Which angle you tilt your seat at is also an important factor. The seat is designed to be tilted any way you want it to. What angle you tilt your seat at is solely going to depend on what position you find most comfortable. The seat allows you to make this adjustment to conform to your desired riding position. You can always leave the seat in the position it is in, but you will most likely find it to be very uncomfortable to ride.
As you can see, there are several things you should keep in mind when you decide on a bicycle that's right for you. It can become a frustrating process at times to try and figure out exactly what bike you need and which accessories you should get to go with it. As long as try this you go about the process slowly and research a little before you go, you should have no problem finding the perfect bike.