In the last couple of decades a major shift has been happening in transportation. While the majority of people in the western world seemed most interested in travelling via automobile, in the last couple of decades many people have been choosing the bicycle as their primary mode of transportation. It could be down to efforts to remain green, perhaps people want to save money on high gas prices, or maybe many people just want to get in shape! Either way there are now more bikes on the road then ever before. Have you been tempted to use a bike for your everyday transport needs? If this is the case it is important you know what to look for, the following tips will help you in your quest to find a suitable bike.
We’d be lying if we tried to tell you that fashion shouldn’t play into your choice. Favorite colors and styles show in our choices. These are going to come into play when you are shopping for your bicycle. Unless you are just buying a bike for the sheer look of it, style and fashion options shouldn't be the ultimate priorities. Safety and comfort should be considered first. When you’ve assembled some bikes that are both comfortable and safe, then look to see which you like the looks of better. The type of handlebars you choose is also important. Not all handlebars check here are the same. Traditional handlebars that just go straight out are good for maneuvering over difficult terrain. They are also better for distributing your body weight over a larger area. If you are using your bike for racing, then you want to pick some handlebars that are more slim and allow you to lean forward on your bike so you can go faster. For those of us who only plan to use our bikes sporadically, you may wish to go with a handlebar style that is comfortable and yet easily stored away.
Be certain to leave adequate room between yourself and your bikes crossbar. 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. Each type of bike requires different clearances. As an example, with a touring bike you will only require around 1". If you are buying a mountain bike you’ll want more—three inches or so between you and the crossbar.
When purchasing a bicycle, you have tons to consider. While you shop, you must make decisions from safety issues to fashion concerns. You can feel unsure of yourself, and a bit overwhelmed, as you attempt to purchase a new bike. You can rest assured that by doing minimal research into your options, you’ll make the perfect decision for you.
Do this research before you go shopping. The peace it will offer during shopping makes it very worthwhile.