There are many people who decide to cycle as a way to get from one place to another. You may not even choose to ride a bicycle as a means of transportation at all. Some people take up cycling in order to exercise. Some people cycle as a competitive sport. Still others ride bicycles as a hobby because they enjoy the feeling of riding a bicycle around their neighborhood. No matter your reason for needing to choose a bicycle, you need to consider a number of different things in order to choose the one that is right for you. This article provides some advice to help you along your way.
The first thing to ensure is you get a bike that is the right size. For this you must calculate your inseam. To do this, simply run a measuring tape up the inside of your leg from the bottom of your foot to your groin. You should be able to sit on your bike while keeping both feet flat on the ground. If you can do this you need not worry about stopping in an emergency if your brakes malfunction.
Always keep in mind that you want to test the bike before you buy it. Don't just jump on and jump off though, take a nice little ride for at least a few minutes. Think about it: would you buy a car without taking it for a test drive?
Why wouldn’t you do the same with a bicycle? You really need to be sure to test it if you plan to spend a good bit on the bicycle or if you are going to be spending a lot of time riding it. Make sure the bike is perfect for you. Physical fit is easy to determine, but you also need to find a bike that “fits†your riding style. You don't want make an investment on a bike that isn't going to feel good to useful reference ride.
It is important you allow for room between you and the crossbar. When you get a bike be sure to move the seat up a couple of inches from the crossbar. Sit on it and make sure you can rest your feet flat to the ground. Each type of bike will require differing clearance amounts. If you are buying a touring bike, for example, you only need an inch or so of clearance. For mountain bikes you will require somewhere around 3 inches.
There are lots of things to think about when you are trying to find the right cycling 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 prepared and know what you need and are looking for, you can shed some of that frustration and find the perfect bike.