There is no shortage of reasons for choosing to cycle. Some decide they want to cycle more now because the price of gas has risen so high, and because it costs so much to keep a car maintained. 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 there are some who like to cycle simply because it is 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. Bicycles should not just be chosen because of their looks or their brand name. 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.
Consider how the bicycle brakes, for one. You have to think about what you are most comfortable with along the lines of stopping your bicycle. If you are choosing a bicycle for sporadic hobby riding, you can get by with the brakes that are little more than pads that squeeze your tires to keep them from moving. If you are going to be using your bicycle more often or in heavy terrain, you will want brakes that are a little more hard core and complicated. These brakes are called 'disc brakes' and are located within the wheel, they are far more reliable than normal brakes and are less likely to fail over time. Believe it or not, your bicycle seat should not sit at its lowest setting, resting against the crossbar. You always want to change the position of the seat so that it is a few inches higher than normal, so keep this in mind when picking your bike. Adjusting your seat up a few inches will give you more clearance between you and the crossbar of your bicycle, which can add quite a bit of comfort to your ride. The best way to adjust is this way, place your foot on the pedal at the lowest setting, then extend your over here leg almost fully, and adjust your seat to accommodate.
When getting a bike for kids you need to consider some altogether different criteria. A bike that is easy to brake is important, it will also need to be pretty durable because children are not known for respecting their belongings, you will also want one with wide tires to add stability to the bike. You will definitely have to consider how the bike looks when shopping for a child and you will want to find a well priced bike because children grow so fast.
The idea behind buying cycling bicycles is to make sure that you and the bicycle fit well together—physically. That is the primary goal of anyone who chooses cycling as their primary form of transportation. You want to feel comfortable and safe as you travel from one point to another.