In the last couple of decades a major shift has been happening in transportation. Cars have long been the most likely mode of transport in developed countries, however bikes are beginning to rise in popularity. This trend can be attributed to the idea of keeping things 'green' in a bid to take care of our planet. It doesn't hurt that gas is increasing in price either! Whatever the reason, there are more cyclists on the road than ever. Maybe you have been pondering purchasing a bike? If this is the case it is important you know what to look for, the following tips will help you in your quest to find a suitable bike.
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 certain professionals, though, who disagree with this concept. These experts say in order to have the best cycling experience you can, you should allow for a few inches between the ground and your feet. 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. This is because when you are pedaling with this bike, your knees are going news to come up too high. Your bicycle seat should not be at the lowest setting, which is sitting atop 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. You want to be able to sit on the bike and place your foot on the pedal at the lowest position, and almost be able to fully extend your leg.
Children's bikes have altogether different things to consider. You want to choose a bike that has brakes that are easy to apply (like moving the pedals backward) as well as something that is nice and sturdy. When getting a bike for a kid the way it looks is also incredibly important, children like to look flashy, you will also want to find a well priced bike because your child will quickly outgrow it.
How well you fit physically with your bike is what is most important. When deciding upon using a bike for transportation you need to keep this in mind. Comfort and saftey are the two most important aspects of riding a bike.