There are many people who decide to cycle as a way to get from one place to another. You may not even choose to ride a bicycle as a means of transportation at all. Some people take up cycling in order to exercise. Some people cycle as a competitive sport. And some people decide that they want to take up cycling as a hobby with their family and friends. 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. These tips are intended to help you along your way.
Fashion really does get involved when you make a choice. The fact is that we all have color and style preferences. When choosing your bike you shouldn't ignore them. Obviously, the style and fashion elements of the bicycle should not be your top priority (unless the bicycle is just for show). Evaluating your choices according to safety and comfort will be the best first step. After finding bikes that are both safe and comfy, then you can see which ones look the best to you.
If you intend to get a road bike then take 9" away from your total inseam. This is due to the type of tires you will be using for a 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. For a mountain bike you will need to take 12" away from your total 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 always use a mountain bike for city cycling, although this is not how they are best used.
Another aspect you need to think about is the angle of the seat. Bicycles can be tilted in a number of ways. Most find that a flat seat can prove to be extremely uncomfortable, so they adjust it to their preference. Adjust your seat so that this is possible. 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.
Your main priority is the physical fit of your bike. That is the primary goal of anyone who chooses cycling as their primary form of transportation. Comfort and saftey are try this the two most important aspects of riding a bike.