There are many people who decide to cycle as a way to get from one place to another. There are a lot of reasons to ride a bicycle that have nothing to do with your preferred method of getting places. Lots of people go cycling as a form of exercise. Some choose to cycle because they are in competitions with cycling. Still others ride bicycles as a hobby because they enjoy the feeling of riding a bicycle around their neighborhood. When deciding to purchase a cycling bicycle, there will be a number of elements that need to be taken into account, and this is true for those wishing to enjoy cycling as a hobby, sport, or a means of getting from point A to point B. In order to assist you in your decision, we have put together a few tips.
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 certain professionals, though, who disagree with this concept. They state the best way to choose a bike is to leave a few inches between your feet and the ground so you can have a more comfortable ride. When buying a new bike, you will see the seat is placed extremely low to the crossbar, so when you sit on the bike with your feet on the ground and are able to bend your knees, you should pick a different bike. 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. You shouldn't ever sit the seat at the lowest setting, which means sitting on the crossbar. Always consider that you are going to have to raise the seat up off the crossbar when you are shopping for your bike. You will have a much more comfortable experience when riding if you are able to get some clearance between the crossbar internet of the bicycle and you. The goal here is to create a height with your seat so that when your pedal is at its lowest position your leg should be almost (but not quite) fully extended.
It is important that you allow adequate room between you and the crossbar. When selecting a bike make sure you move the seat up slightly, to around a few inches above the height of the crossbar. Your feet should still comfortably rest on the ground. Each type of bike requires different clearances. A good example is a touring bike, with these bikes you will only need around 1" difference. With a mountain bike however you will need some more, 3 inches should suffice.
Lots and lots of different features and options are out there as you look for a new bicycle. While you shop, you must make decisions from safety issues to fashion concerns. It’s perfectly normal for you to feel a little overwhelmed and perhaps a little perplexed when starting out. By investing a bit of your time to look at your preferences you will make the best decision.
Try to understand your choices before you go shopping. You’ll reap the benefits.