Many people have found reason in taking up cycling. There are those who decide to take up cycling because the price of gas is too high and the cost of maintenance on a vehicle is too high. Some decide to cycle because they want to have less of an impact on the environment when traveling.
Still others simply ride bicycles for fun. No matter your reason for choosing to take up cycling, you need to know some important things before you decide on your first bicycle. Choosing the right bicycle is more than just picking the one that's the best looking. Outlined hereafter are some pointers you can take into consideration when going out to buy your bike.
You want to first and foremost, ensure that you are able to come to a stop on your bicycle, and the key to that is selecting a bicycle that allows you to rest your feet flat on the ground, when you are sitting on the seat. There are certain professionals, though, who disagree with this concept. They state the best way to choose a bike is to leave a few inches between your feet and the ground so you can have a more comfortable ride. If your feet are on the ground and your knees are bent when you sit on the seat of the bike, it generally means that the seat is sitting too low for you and too close to the crossbar. If you can bend your knees, your knees will come up too high when you are pedaling.
Do you need extra gadgets for your bike? If you will need to transport things with your bike, you’ll need a basket. Will you be travelling with a child? Needing a child seat attachment will alter which bikes you can choose from. If towing check it out something behind the bike, your need will change again. You will have to get a bike that can support the trailer's weight.
Never leave out the safety gear, either. Bicycle helmets have come a long way since they were first introduced. Now they offer better protection while being a little bit more stylish. 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 grab some elbow and knee guards, as well as ankle and wrist guards, just in case you decide to take your bike off the road. If you are going to be using your bicycle as your sole means of transportation, you should think of investing in some pants clips as well. They work by clipping your pants out of the way so they can't get tangled in the chain or gears.
You will see there are many things you should consider when you are finding the bike that's right for you. It can become a bit overwhelming when going shopping for a bike and accessories because there is just so much to choose from. If you will not jump into things and try and educate yourself on what you need, you will be pleased with the results.