As you know, there are numerous reasons to start cycling. 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. Others choose it because riding a bike is better for the environment than travelling in a car or using public transportation.
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. You will be surprised at how much more there is to a bicycle than just the looks. Here are some helpful tips that you can use to help you decide which bicycle you should buy.
The basic key to choosing a bicycle is to buy a bicycle that you can sit on and rest your feet flat on the floor so that you can stop yourself. There are some people that say this isn't the best way to choose, though. These experts say in order to have the best cycling experience you can, you should allow for a few inches between the ground and your feet. You will likely find that the seat will rest too near the crossbar, if, when you sit on the seat, your knees are bent with your feet flat on the ground, which is an indication that the seat needs to be raised. If you can bend your knees, your knees will come up too high when you are pedaling.
For road bikes take away 9 inches from the total of your inseam. This is due to the type of tires you will be using for a road bike. Road bikes are meant for city cycling—the tires are thinner and work best on concrete paving. If you are looking for a mountain bike, you will want to subtract about a foot (twelve inches) from your inseam measurement. Again this is to account for the size of tires. Mountain bike tires are thicker than road bike tires, designed for rocky terrain. You can always use a mountain bike for city cycling, although this is not how they are best used.
Another essential element in a comfortable cycling experience is the angle of the seat(also known as the saddle). Bicycles can be tilted in a number of ways. Most people find a seat that is flat to be a bit too uncomfortable, so they tilt it the way that feels the best. Continue to adjust your seat until it feels the best for you. You can always leave the seat in the position it is in, but you will most likely find it to be very uncomfortable to ride.
There are lots of things to think about when you are trying to find the right cycling visit bicycle to fit your needs. There are so many different bicycles and accessories available that it can feel overwhelming as you try to decide which items are best for you. As long as you go about the process slowly and research a little before you go, you should have no problem finding the perfect bike.