There is no shortage of reasons for choosing to cycle. There are those who decide to take up cycling because the price of gas is too high and the cost of maintenance on a vehicle is too high. Some decide to cycle because they want to have less of an impact on the environment when traveling.
And others still are riding simply because they love to ride. No matter what the reason is for choosing a bicycle, there are some things you should keep in mind before you decide. If you really want to choose the perfect cycling bicycle, you need to think about more than just what it looks like. This article is intended to give you a head's up on what you should keep in mind when it's time to buy your bicycle.
The first thing you need to do is try the bicycle on for size, meaning sit on it and make sure that your feet are still flat on the floor so you will be able to stop yourself. There are those who say that this isn't the best way, though. 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 sitting flat on the ground while your butt is on the seat, this usually means that the seat is too close to the crossbar and will need to be adjusted for comfort. official statement Your knees will cause interference as you are pedaling, because they will come up higher than they should, which is a result of your knees being bent when you are at rest with your feet down.
Be cautious, however, and always be sure to test the bike out before you buy it. You should never buy something you haven't tried out for at least a few minutes. Think about it: would you buy a car without taking it for a test drive?
So you should use this same frame of mind when buying your bike. It's even more important for you to do if you plan on spending a significant amount of money on it and will be using it a lot. You want to find a bike that fits you. There shouldn't be a problem in making the decision on whether or not the bike is the right size for you, but you should also keep in mind that it needs to fit your riding style as well. Why would you spend money on something that does not feel comfortable to ride?
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. Sit on it and make sure you can rest your feet flat to the ground. Which bike you get will greatly alter the clearance you will require. A touring bike for example will require around 1", perhaps slightly more. For mountain bikes you will require somewhere around 3 inches. There are many different factors to take into account when finding the right bicycle. Are you going to be using your bike every day or will you only be riding every so often? What height makes you feel the most comfortable? Would you rather have room between your feet and the ground or would you rather be able to touch the ground with your feet when you come to a stop? Think about all this when buying your bike, and you will make the right choice.