In the last couple of decades a major shift has been happening in transportation. More and more people are leaving the car behind in favor of the bicycle, in the west the car reigned supreme but we are now seeing a growth in popularity of the bike. Perhaps the trend can be put down to 'green' thinking, or maybe just the prices of gas are starting to get to people. Whatever the reason, there are more cyclists on the road than ever. Maybe you have considered buying a bike? If you have been thinking about using a bike as your main mode of transportation, or just thinking about getting one for fun, there are a few things you need to think about.
Fashion really does affect the choice you make when purchasing a new bike. Favorite colors and styles show in our choices. Your new bike should reflect your favorites. If your bike is only for looks, put style elements and fashion choices as your ultimate decision-makers. Evaluating your choices according to safety and comfort will be the best first step. When you’ve assembled some bikes that are both comfortable and safe, then look to see which you like the looks of better.
Always keep in mind that you want to test the bike before you buy it. You should never buy a bike until you have ridden it first, if only for a couple of minutes. It's exactly the same as buying a used car; you would never find yourself buying a used car without taking it out for a ride.
It's the same thing with a used bicycle. You really need to be sure to test it if you plan to page spend a good bit on the bicycle or if you are going to be spending a lot of time riding it. You need to make sure the bike is a perfect fit. You should have no problem finding one that you can ride easily, but you also need to find a bike that fits your riding style. You wouldn't want to waste money on a bicycle you don't enjoy riding.
Be certain to leave adequate room between yourself and your bikes crossbar. When browsing for a bike try some out, make sure the seat is a few inches above the crossbar. Make sure you can place both feet on the ground if need be. Which bike you get will greatly alter the clearance you will require. As an example, with a touring bike you will only require around 1". For mountain bikes you will require somewhere around 3 inches.
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. There are tons of varieties of bicycles, as well as innumerable amounts of accessories available to you, so sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming. As long as you go about the process slowly and research a little before you go, you should have no problem finding the perfect bike.