As you know, there are numerous reasons to start cycling. There are many that decide to ride bicycles because they are able to save a ton of money on both the price of gas and maintenance costs. 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 your reason for choosing to take up cycling, you need to know some important things before you decide on your first bicycle. Bicycles should not just be chosen because of their looks or their brand name. This article gives you some tips and pointers to help you pick the bicycle that will be perfect for you.
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. It is their belief, that your time on your bicycle will be much more comfortable, if you allow your feet to remain several inches off the ground. 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. If this is happening, when you start to pedal the bike then your knees are going to come up too high.
Are you going to need to accommodate extra accessories? If you have to move things using your bike, you’ll certainly want to add a basket. Will you be travelling with a child? If so, you will need to find a bicycle that can safely support a baby seat. Have you ever considered pulling anything behind your bike? Then you’ll need a bike that can support a trailer’s weight.
It is important that you allow adequate room between you and the crossbar. When you get a bike be sure to move the seat up a couple of inches from the crossbar. Make certain you can still place both feet flatly on the ground. Each type of bike requires different clearances. If you are buying a touring bike, for example, you only need an inch or so of clearance. With a mountain bike a clearance of 3" will be necessary.
So many options are available to you as you shop for a new bike. Your choices range from safety issues to those of fashion. It’s perfectly normal for you to feel a little overwhelmed and perhaps a little perplexed when starting out. A little time spent looking into the choices will allow you to relax and buy the best bike for you.
Look up some of your choices before you hit the i thought about this store. The peace it will offer during shopping makes it very worthwhile.