In the last couple of decades a major shift has been happening in transportation. More and more people are leaving the car behind in favor of the bicycle, in the west the car reigned supreme but we are now seeing a growth in popularity of the bike. It could be down to efforts to remain green, perhaps people want to save money on high gas prices, or maybe many people just want to get in shape! Either way you will now find the roads filled with more cyclists than ever before. Maybe you have been pondering purchasing a bike? Here are some hints to help you choose the cycling bicycle that is right for you.
The first thing to consider when buying a bicycle is the cost of the bike. This doesn't mean other things aren't important, like where you are going to ride or how often you will, but it does mean that the cost of the bicycle should be one of your main concerns.
You can find bicycles that range in price from hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars. Don’t worry if you do not have this much money available, there are lots of ways to cut down on the amount of money you will spend on your bicycle. Auctions are one of the best places to find a great bike that will be fairly inexpensive and still have everything you need.
If you intend to get a road bike then take 9" away from your total inseam. This is to account for the size of tires you will use on a road bike. Road bikes are meant for city cycling—the tires are thinner and work best on concrete paving. With a mountain bike you will need to take away around one foot from the inseam. Again this is to account for the type of tires you will be using. Mountain bike tires are thicker than road bike tires, designed for rocky terrain. You can use mountain bikes for city cycling, but the opposite is not true and they are nowhere near as good on city streets as road bikes.
Be sure to allow room between the crossbar and yourself. When browsing for a bike try some out, make sure the seat is a few inches above the crossbar. Make certain you can still place both feet flatly on the ground. You will want to leave different clearance lengths depending visit the website on the type of bicycle you are buying. As an example, with a touring bike you will only require around 1". With a mountain bike a clearance of 3" will be necessary.
How well you fit physically with your bike is what is most important. When deciding upon using a bike for transportation you need to keep this in mind. Safety is important when on a bike but do not overlook comfort, otherwise those long rides will soon grow tiresome.