There's no shortage of reasons why people are taking 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 are 'going green' and taking an active part in trying to help our environment by choosing to ride a bike over a car.
And there are other riders who love to do it because it's fun. No matter what the reason is for choosing a bicycle, there are some things you should keep in mind before you decide. You will be surprised at how much more there is to a bicycle than just the looks. This article gives you some tips and pointers to help you pick the bicycle that will be perfect for you.
You want to first and foremost, ensure that you are able to come to a stop on your bicycle, and the key to that is selecting a bicycle that allows you to rest your feet flat on the ground, when you are sitting on the seat. 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. 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. This is because when you are pedaling with this bike, your knees are going to come up too high. Some individuals may be surprised at the recommendation that the seat not be adjusted to the lowest setting available, which causes it to contact the crossbar. You want to adjust it up a few inches and take those inches into account when you are choosing your bike. Adjusting your seat up a few inches will give you more clearance between you and the crossbar of your bicycle, which can add quite a bit of comfort to your ride. The best way to adjust your seat to the correct height is to place your foot on the pedal at the lowest setting and bring the seat up as high as it can go so that your leg is almost fully extended.
Be sure to allow room between the crossbar and yourself. When browsing for a bike try some out, make sure the seat is a few inches above the crossbar. Your feet should still comfortably rest on the ground. Different bikes will need differing clearance amounts. A touring bike for example will require around 1", perhaps slightly more. However for a mountain bike you will need 3" between the crossbar and yourself. i thought about this
The idea behind buying cycling bicycles is to make sure that you and the bicycle fit well together—physically. If you intend to use your bike a lot, perhaps as your main method of transport, it is important you keep this in mind. Comfort and safety are both very important.