Many reasons will push you to choose a bicycle as a new mode of transportation. Many of these reasons are not at all related with how you like to travel. Lots of people go cycling as a form of exercise. Some people cycle as a competitive sport. And there are others that simply want a way to bond with their family, so they take up cycling. Regardless of why you are taking up cycling, you are going to have to consider a variety of things when choosing the bicycle that is a perfect fit for you. Try these tips out to see if they can be of help.
The first thing to ensure is you get a bike that is the right size. For this you must calculate your inseam. To do this, simply run a measuring tape up the inside of your leg from the bottom of your foot to your groin. You should be able to sit on your bike while keeping both feet flat on the ground. If you can do this you need not worry about stopping in an emergency if your brakes malfunction.
For road bikes take away 9 inches from the total of your 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. You will want to subtract 12" for a mountain bike. The tires on a mountain bike are not the same as a road bike. Mountain bike tires will be thick and designed for mountainous terrain. Mountain bikes can travel on city pavement but that is not what they are designed to do.
Another thing to keep in mind is purchasing safety gear. Bicycles of then and bicycles of now are two completely different things. Not only do they look a little better now, they are also safer for you. You must always wear your helmet when you are riding your bike, no matter what. You'd be surprised at how many lives have been saved from that one simple thing.
If you are going to be taking your bike off road, then you need to also invest in some knee and elbow pads, as well as ankle and wrist guards. Another piece of safety equipment that you should think about getting are pants clips, especially if you are going to be using your bike as a primary mode of transportation. Pants clips Click Here are designed to hold your pants in place so they don't get caught up in the chain or the gears of the bike.
When you get a bike your main goal should be to find one that physically suits you. This is the most important thing to consider when looking into using a bike to get around. Safety is important when on a bike but do not overlook comfort, otherwise those long rides will soon grow tiresome.