There is no shortage of reasons for choosing to cycle. There are those who decide to take up cycling because the price of gas is too high and the cost of maintenance on a vehicle is too high. There are those who choose to cycle because they want to do their part in helping the environment.
And then there are those who choose to cycle because they simply love it. If you fall into these categories or are in one of your own and you are shopping for a new bike, take the time to read up on some of the things you should know before buying. Choosing the right bicycle is more than just picking the one that's the best looking. Outlined hereafter are some pointers you can take into consideration when going out to buy your bike.
It goes without saying that choosing the correctly sized bike is of utmost importance. To do this, you will need to measure 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. The goal is to be able to sit on the seat of the bike and still rest your 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. It's the same concept as buying a used car, there's no way you would take it without testing it.
Why wouldn’t you do the same with a bicycle? You need to do this especially if you are spending a lot of money on a bike that you know you will use for a long time. You need to make sure the bike is going to 'fit' you. This doesn't only mean physically fit you, this also means one that easily fits your riding styles. Why would you spend money on something that does not feel comfortable to ride?
The number of gears you’ll use will also affect your choice. If you plan to ride in rocky or mountainous areas, you’ll need more gears than riding on flat land. You can’t evaluate the bike only by the number of gears it has. You may never even get around to using all the available gears. Don’t spend money on something you won’t use. Find out where you’ll ride your bike, especially if this is your main vehicle, and make sure you have enough gears to handle the areas through which you will travel. As you can see, there are many things to take into consideration home when deciding on the perfect bicycle for you. Some people will need a bicycle that can stand up under a lot of wear and tear. Others need a bicycle that will help get them from point to point with very little chance of breaking down. Price can also be a point to consider. As long as you take your time to find out all you need to know about buying a bike, you should be good to go. If you just get the first one you find it may not be the best suited for you and could even be a bad bike.