The choice to utilize a bicycle as your main mode of transportation, is beneficial for a number of reasons. There are many different reasons to cycle, and some have nothing to do with being a preferred method of getting to point A to point B. Some people have decided to take up cycling as a way to exercise. Others go cycling because they compete in it as a sport. Still others ride bicycles as a hobby because they enjoy the feeling of riding a bicycle around their neighborhood. Regardless of your reason for needing to find a bicycle, you need to take some things into consideration when the time comes to choose the perfect bicycle for you. This article provides some advice to help you along your way.
The first thing to ensure is you get a bike that is the right size. To do this, you will need to measure your inseam. Your inseam is the amount of inches from the bottom of your foot, up the inside of your leg to your groin. You should ideally be able to place both feet on the ground when sitting in on your bike. If you can do this you need not worry about stopping in an emergency if your brakes malfunction.
If you intend to get a road bike then take 9" away from your total inseam. This is because of the size of the tires on your road bike. City riding is done with thin tires, designed to work perfectly with the smooth concrete roads and sidewalks you find in a city. If you are looking for a mountain bike, you will want more helpful hints to subtract about a foot (twelve inches) from your inseam measurement. The tires on a mountain bike are not the same as a road bike. They are thicker and meant for a rockier terrain. Mountain bikes can travel on city pavement but that is not what they are designed to do.
You also need to acquire some safety gear. Bicycle helmets have come a long way since they were first introduced. Not only do they look a lot better than they used to, they are also built better to provide greater protection. You should never, ever ride your bicycle unless you are wearing your helmet. You don't even realize how important this thing can be in saving 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. Pants clips are another great investment, especially if you are using your bike as your sole means of transportation. They work by clipping your pants out of the way so they can't get tangled in the chain or gears.
You should keep these things in mind when you go out and buy a bicycle, especially if you want to find the one that is right for you. It can be a bit tedious and frustrating to try and figure out what all you need when you are buying a bicycle. As long as you go prepared and know what you need and are looking for, you can shed some of that frustration and find the perfect bike.