There are lots of reasons to take up cycling. Some folks are having a hard time keeping up with the rising cost of gasoline and maintenance bills, so they choose to ride a bike. 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 other riders who love to do it because it's fun. Whatever your reason for going cycle shopping there are some definite criteria that you need to think about before you make your choice. There is more to choosing the right cycling bicycle than the colors used to paint it! This article gives you some tips and pointers to help you pick the bicycle that will be perfect for you.
The first thing you should think about, which is pretty obvious, needs to be the cost. 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.
The price ranges of good bikes go anywhere from the hundreds to the thousands. 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 could check out bicycles that are being auctioned off and could save tons of money while getting the best bike for you.
Take 9" away from the total of your inseam if you plan to get a road bike. This is down to the tires a road bike equips. City riding is done with thin tires, designed to work perfectly with the smooth concrete roads and sidewalks you find in a city. If you are looking for a mountain bike, you will want to subtract about a foot (twelve inches) from your inseam measurement. Mountain bikes our website have different tires than a road bike. These tires are designed to handle rocky and jagged terrain so are therefore thicker. You can of course use a mountain bike for road cycling but this isn't supposed to be their primary use.
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 certain you can still place both feet flatly on the ground. Each type of bike will require differing clearance amounts. If you are buying a touring bike, for example, you only need an inch or so of clearance. For mountain bikes you will require somewhere around 3 inches. As you can see, there are many things to take into consideration when deciding on the perfect bicycle for you. You may want an incredibly durable bike that can handle being thrown around a bit. These folks are looking to find a bike that allows them to get where they are going without having to worry about a breakdown. Price may be the biggest thing you want to consider. Research is important when purchasing anything, especially a bike. You will also want to shop around to find the best deal. Never jump on the first thing that is pretty, because you never know if you are making a mistake.