As you know, there are numerous reasons to start 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 decide to cycle because they want to have less of an impact on the environment when traveling.
And then there are those who choose to cycle because they simply love it. 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. Outlined hereafter are some pointers you can take into consideration when going out to buy your bike.
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. There are experts who state that this isn't a good way to choose a bike, however. 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 try this out your knees, you should pick a different bike. This is because when you are pedaling with this bike, your knees are going to come up too high.
For road bikes take away 9 inches from the total of your inseam. 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. For a mountain bike you will need to take 12" away from your total inseam. Again this is to account for the type of tires you will be using. Mountain bike tires are thicker than road bike tires, designed for rocky terrain. You can always use a mountain bike for city cycling, although this is not how they are best used.
Ask yourself the number of gears necessary for your bike. If you plan to ride in rocky or mountainous areas, you’ll need more gears than riding on flat land. The number of gears doesn’t make one bike better than another. In actuality, you may never use all the gears. Why spend extra money paying for something that you don’t need? Ensure you have enough gears to handle the situations in which you will be riding, especially if you bike will be your main mode of transport. You will need to think about many different things when choosing a bike for them. Some people will need a bicycle that can stand up under a lot of wear and tear. These folks are looking to find a bike that allows them to get where they are going without having to worry about a breakdown. Price can also really affect your decisions. It is important to do your research and to shop around before you buy a bicycle. If you just get the first one you find it may not be the best suited for you and could even be a bad bike.