Many people have found reason in taking up cycling. Some folks are having a hard time keeping up with the rising cost of gasoline and maintenance bills, so they choose to ride a bike. Some decide to cycle because they want to have less of an impact on the environment when traveling.
And others still are riding simply because they love to ride. Whatever your reason for going cycle shopping there are some definite criteria that you need to think about before you make your choice. If you really want to choose the perfect cycling bicycle, you need to think about more than just what it looks like. This article is intended to give you a head's up on what you should keep in mind when it's time to buy your bicycle.
You need to make sure you pick a bike that is the right size. The measurement of your inseam is needed for this. Simply measure the distance from your groin to the bottom of your foot, down the inside of your leg. You should be able to sit on your bike while keeping both feet flat on the ground. This is for safety more than anything else, if your brakes should fail you will not be able to easily stop the bike otherwise.
Always keep in mind that you want to test the bike before you buy it. Take it around the block if you can to make sure that it's worth the money and it's right for you. 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? It's even more important for you to do if you plan on spending a significant amount of money on it and will be using it a lot. Make sure the bike is perfect for you. There shouldn't be a problem in making the decision on whether or not the bike is the right size for you, but you should also keep in mind that it needs to fit your riding style as well. Why would you spend money on something that does not feel comfortable to ride?
Never leave out the safety gear, either. The new bicycle helmets look and feel nothing like the old bicycle helmets. Not only do they look a lot better than they used to, they are also built better to provide greater protection. You should never go for a ride without putting on your helmet first. Sometimes that fraction of padding really can save your life!
It wouldn't hurt to also get some elbow and knee pads, and some wrist and ankle guards if you are going to take your bike off-road. Another piece of safety equipment that you should think about getting are pants clips, especially if you could try these out you are going to be using your bike as a primary mode of transportation. These things are little clips that clip the pants leg up so they don't get tangled in the chain or the gears.
How well you fit physically with your bike is what is most important. This is the most important thing to consider when looking into using a bike to get around. You need to feel safe but also comfortable on your bike, otherwise you won't enjoy riding it!