Many people have found reason in taking up cycling. There are those who decide to take up cycling because the price of gas is too high and the cost of maintenance on a vehicle is too high. There are those who choose to cycle because they want to do their part in helping the environment.
Still others simply ride bicycles for fun. Whatever your reason for going cycle shopping there are some definite criteria that you need to think about before you make your choice. Choosing the right bicycle is more than just picking the one that's the best looking. Contained hereafter are some hints and tips you can use to pick the bicycle that is perfect for you.
Cost is almost always a factor when trying to choose the right bike. Sure you should also consider things like where you will be riding and how often you will be riding, but your other major criteria will almost always be the price of the bicycle.
Good bicycles can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. This doesn't mean you are going to have to spend thousands of dollars on a good bike, because there are ways you can find a great bike for a great price. You can go to auctions and find some of the best bikes available for a fraction of the price of new ones.
If you intend to get a road bike then take 9" away from your total inseam. The additional resources size of the tires a road bike uses are the reason for this. Road bikes are meant for city cycling—the tires are thinner and work best on concrete paving. If you are looking for a mountain bike, you will want to subtract about a foot (twelve inches) from your inseam measurement. This is because the tires of a mountain bike are different than those on a road bike. Mountain bike tires are thicker than road bike tires, designed for rocky terrain. You can use mountain bikes for city cycling, but the opposite is not true and they are nowhere near as good on city streets as road bikes.
Be certain to leave adequate room between yourself and your bikes crossbar. When you choose your bike, adjust the seat up a few inches from the crossbar and then sit on the bike. Make certain you can still place both feet flatly on the ground. You will want to leave different clearance lengths depending on the type of bicycle you are buying. A good example is a touring bike, with these bikes you will only need around 1" difference. If you are buying a mountain bike you’ll want more—three inches or so between you and the crossbar. You will need to think about many different things when choosing a bike for them. You may want an incredibly durable bike that can handle being thrown around a bit. You may simply what the most reliable bike for getting you around the city. Price can also really affect your decisions. As long as you take your time to find out all you need to know about buying a bike, you should be good to go. Don’t just buy the first bicycle that looks good—you could get stuck with a lemon!