Bike Choice - What Exactly to Look For

Many differing options are available to you as you look to purchase a bicycle. Take heart! Even professional cyclists struggle when choosing their next bicycle. Because there are so many choices, it is hard to buy a new bike. You need to think about safety, comfort, what the bike will be used for, how often the bicycle will be used, where the bicycle will be used and, if we’re being honest: style. Trying to keep yourself informed of all the new choices, as well those just about to be released, can make it really hard to finally choose the bike for you. Simply apply this test as you go to get your new bike.

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 some people that say this isn't the best way to choose, though. These people explain that the best way to pick a bike is to ensure there is a few inches between the ground and your feet, and you will be provided with a much more comfortable ride. The seat will usually sit a little low and too close to the crossbar if you are able to bend your knees while your feet are on the ground and your backside is on the bicycle’s seat. Also, if you find that your knees are bent when sitting on the bike, your knees are going to come up too high when you are pedaling your bike.

For a road bike you should take away 9" from the inseam measurement you check my site took earlier. This is because of the size of the tires on your road bike. City riding is done with thin tires, designed to work perfectly with the smooth concrete roads and sidewalks you find in a city. You will want to subtract 12" for a mountain bike. Again this is to account for the type of tires you will be using. Mountain bike tires are thicker than road bike tires, designed for rocky terrain. You can of course use a mountain bike for road cycling but this isn't supposed to be their primary use.

Don’t forget to buy your safety gear. There have been many advancements on bicycle helmets since they first were introduced. Now they offer better protection while being a little bit more stylish. You should never, ever ride your bicycle unless you are wearing your helmet. Sometimes that fraction of padding really can save your life!

You might also consider investing in elbow, knee, wrist and ankle guards—especially if you are going to be going “off road” on your bicycle. Another piece of safety equipment that you should think about getting are pants clips, especially if you are going to be using your bike as a primary mode of transportation. These are clips that keep your pants legs up and out of the way of your gears and chain. You have many things to consider when getting a bicycle. The durability of a bike may be the most important thing depending on how you intend to use it. You may simply what the most reliable bike for getting you around the city. Price can also be a point to consider. It is important to do your research and to shop around before you buy a bicycle. Never jump on the first thing that is pretty, because you never know if you are making a mistake.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *