As you know, there are numerous reasons to start cycling. Some people choose to ride bicycles because they cannot afford the cost of gas and automobile maintenance. Some people decide to take up cycling because it is a healthier choice for the environment.
Still others simply ride bicycles for fun. 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. You will be surprised at how much more there is to a bicycle than just the looks. Here are some helpful tips that you can use to help you decide which bicycle you should buy.
How your cycling bicycle stops is very important. It is vital you understand how your brakes work and what brakes will be best suited for your style of cycling. If you are choosing a bicycle for sporadic hobby riding, you can get by with the brakes that are little more than pads that squeeze your tires to keep them from moving. If you decide you want your bike for more off-roading adventures, you need a different kind of braking system that can keep up with that particular style. These disk brakes are perfect for serious bike use, they sit inside the wheel and will be able to handle heavy use without malfunction. Believe it or not, your bicycle seat should not sit at its lowest setting, resting against the crossbar. Be sure to consider these few necessary inches between the seat and the crossbar, when you are out bicycle shopping. When you bring the seat up a few inches, you are going to have more room between the crossbar and you, and this will make for a much more comfortable ride. You want to be able to sit on the bike and place your foot on the pedal at the lowest position, and almost be able to fully extend your leg.
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. Which bike you get will greatly alter the clearance you will require. For example a touring bike will require around an inch. With a mountain bike however you will need some more, 3 inches should suffice. Several different factors play into how you are going to choose the right bicycle. Are you going to be using your bike every day click here for info or will you only be riding every so often? What height makes you feel the most comfortable? Would you rather be able to put your feet flat on the ground or would you rather have that few inches between your feet and the ground when you are sitting down? All of these factors will come into play as you make your choice.