There are lots of reasons to take up cycling. Some folks are having a hard time keeping up with the rising cost of gasoline and maintenance bills, so they choose to ride a bike. Some are 'going green' and taking an active part in trying to help our environment by choosing to ride a bike over a car.
And then there are those who choose to cycle because they simply love it. No matter your reason for choosing to take up cycling, you need to know some important things before you decide on your first bicycle. You will be surprised at how much more there is to a bicycle than just the looks. This article is intended to give you a head's up on what you should keep in mind when it's time to buy your bicycle.
One thing that is usually the first on the list is the cost of the bike. Of course you are going to need to think about how much you will ride your bike as well as where you are going to be riding it, but cost is one of the most important things.
Some of the best bicycles you can find will cost thousands of dollars. This doesn't mean you are going to have to spend thousands of dollars on a good bike, because there are ways you can find a great bike for a great price. Used bicycles and bicycles being sold at auction are great ways to save money while still getting the cycling bicycle that you need and want.
For road bikes take away 9 inches from the total of your inseam. This is because of the size of the tires on your 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 size of tires. Mountain bike tires are thicker than road bike tires, designed for rocky terrain. Mountain bikes can travel on city pavement but that is not what they are designed to do.
Where you set the angle of your seat is also something to consider. You can tilt the seat any way you want it. Most people find a seat that is flat to be a bit too uncomfortable, so they check that tilt it the way that feels the best. Continue to adjust your seat until it feels the best for you. You may find that if you leave the seat in the flat position, the narrow part of the seat will not allow you to comfortably bend forward.
When looking for a bike your main goal is to find one that suits you physically. If you intend to use your bike a lot, perhaps as your main method of transport, it is important you keep this in mind. Safety is important when on a bike but do not overlook comfort, otherwise those long rides will soon grow tiresome.