There are lots of reasons to take up 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.
Still others simply ride bicycles for fun. Whatever your reason for going cycle shopping there are some definite criteria that you need to think about before you make your choice. There is more to choosing the right cycling bicycle than the colors used to paint it! Here are some helpful tips that you can use to help you decide which bicycle you should buy.
It goes without saying that choosing the correctly sized bike is of utmost importance. To accomplish this you need know your inseam measurement. Simply measure the distance from your groin to the bottom of your foot, down the inside of your leg. 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 mainly for safety and will allow you to use your feet to stop the bike without the brakes if needed. Your bicycle seat should not be at the lowest setting, which is sitting atop the crossbar. Always consider that you are going to have to raise the seat up off the crossbar when you are shopping for your bike. The added space between you and the crossbar, afforded by raising the seat slightly, will make a positive impact on your level of comfort. You want to be able to sit on the bike and place your foot on the pedal at the lowest position, and almost be able to fully extend your leg.
Another thing to keep in mind is purchasing safety gear. There have been many advancements on bicycle helmets since they first were introduced. Now they offer better protection while being a little bit more stylish. You should never even think about riding the bike without first putting on your helmet. This little thing can mean the difference between life and death.
It wouldn't hurt to also get some elbow and knee pads, and some wrist and ankle guards if you are going to take your bike off-road. Another good idea is to buy some pants clips if you are going to be riding your bike as your primary form of transportation. Pants clips are designed to hold your pants in place so they don't get caught up in the chain or the gears of the bike. You have many things to consider when great site getting a bicycle. There are people who view the durability of a bike to be most important, this is especially true if you plan to use your bike a lot over rough terrain. While other people just want a bike that is comfortable and will get them from one place to another without risk of breaking down. Price may be the biggest thing you want to consider. Be sure to shop around before taking the final decision and parting with your cash. Never jump on the first thing that is pretty, because you never know if you are making a mistake.