Many people think that choosing a cycling bicycle is simple. Simply finding the bike they like the look of is all there is to it, right? As long as it is comfortable that's all you need to worry about. The truth is that there is a lot more to finding the right bicycle these days than there used to be. Cycling is very popular at the moment, be it for sports, fun, transportation etc. With all these uses there are many different bikes to go with each. Today more people are choosing to ride a bicycle as their primary forms of transportation. There are also plenty of families that cycle as a hobby. The following will explain how you find the best bike to suit your needs.
The first thing you need to do is try the bicycle on for size, meaning sit on it and make sure that your feet are still flat on the floor so you will be able to stop yourself. There are those who say that this isn't the best way, though. 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 sitting flat on the ground while your butt is on the seat, this usually means that the seat is too close to the crossbar and will need to be adjusted for comfort. If you can bend your knees, your knees will come up too high when you are pedaling. Which handlebars to go with is also a serious decision. There are plenty types of handlebars to choose from. Handlebars that extend straight out give you more control over how your bike is maneuvered over rough terrain. They are also better for distributing your body weight over a larger area. For racing however you will want special handlebars, ones which are thinner and are positioned in such a way you can lean over them as you cycle. This is to lower wind resistance and will allow you to go faster. For those of us who only plan to use our bikes sporadically, you may wish to go with a handlebar style that is comfortable and yet easily stored away.
Never leave out the safety gear, either. Bicycle helmets have come a long way since they were first introduced. 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.
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. 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. These are clips that keep your pants legs up and out of the way of your gears and chain.
There are many different things you should consider when the time comes to buy the perfect bicycle for yourself. There are so many different bicycles and accessories available that it can feel overwhelming as you try to decide which items are best for you. As long as you go prepared and know what you need and are looking for, you can shed some of that frustration and find the perfect check it out bike.