In recent times the western world has undergone a transportation change. Cars were the king of the road, however we can now see a growing trend in the popularity of cycling as a main method of transport. Perhaps the trend can be put down to 'green' thinking, or maybe just the prices of gas are starting to get to people. No matter what has caused it, the fact is there are now more cyclists on the road than in a long while. Have you been thinking about getting a bicycle? If so the following is some handy advice on what to look out for.
One way to choose the bike that fits you is to sit on the bike and see if your feet will rest flat on the floor, in case you need to stop yourself. Some experts, however, say that this is not a good idea. They say that it is better to give yourself a few inches between your feet and the ground to create a more comfortable cycling experience. 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. If this is happening, when you start to pedal the bike then your knees are going to come up too high.
Don't ever make the purchase until you have tried the bicycle out. You should never buy something you haven't tried out for at least a few minutes. This makes perfect sense because you know you'd never buy a car without test driving it first.
It's the same thing with a used bicycle. You really need to do this if you are going to spend a lot of money on the bicycle, and if you are going to ride the bicycle a lot. Make sure the bike is perfect for you. This doesn't only mean physically fit you, this also means one that easily fits your riding styles. You don't want make an investment on a bike that isn't going to feel good to ride.
Be sure to allow room between the crossbar and yourself. When choosing a bike move the seat so it is a couple of inches above the crossbar. Sit on it and make sure you can rest your feet flat to the ground. You will want to leave different clearance lengths depending on the type of bicycle you are buying. 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.
How well you fit physically with your bike is what is most important. That is the primary goal of anyone who chooses cycling as like it their primary form of transportation. Comfort and safety are both very important.