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.
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. Choosing the right bicycle is more than just picking the one that's the best looking. Contained hereafter are some hints and tips you can use to pick the bicycle that is perfect for you.
The brakes on your bike are of utmost importance. Brakes are very important on a bike, you need to understand how they work and what type you will most likely need for your bike. If you are choosing a bicycle for sporadic hobby riding, you can get by with the brakes that are little more than pads that squeeze your tires to keep them from moving. If you are going to be using your bicycle more often or in heavy terrain, you will want brakes that are a little more hard core and complicated. For such cycling you should look to disc brakes, these are located within the wheel itself and are less likely to be weakened over time or worse, fail.
If you intend to get a road bike then take 9" away from your total inseam. The size of the tires a road bike uses are the reason for this. These tires will be thinner and designed for efficiency on concrete roads or pavements. With a mountain bike you will need to take away around one foot from the inseam. Again this is to account for the size of tires. These tires are designed to handle rocky and jagged terrain so are therefore thicker. You can always use a mountain bike for city cycling, although this is not how they are best used.
Another aspect you need to think about is the angle of the seat. You can tilt the seat any way you want it. Most find that a flat seat can prove to be extremely uncomfortable, so they adjust it to their preference. Continue to adjust your seat until it feels the best for you. You may find that if you check this leave the seat in the flat position, the narrow part of the seat will not allow you to comfortably bend forward.
When purchasing a bicycle, you have tons to consider. From fashion to safety, you have a multitude of choices to make. It’s perfectly normal for you to feel a little overwhelmed and perhaps a little perplexed when starting out. The good news is that, with a little research, you can make a very informed decision about which bicycle is best for you.
Before heading out to the store, learn a little bit about the available choices. The peace it will offer during shopping makes it very worthwhile.