In recent times the western world has undergone a transportation change. Cars were the king of the road, however we can now see a growing trend in the popularity of cycling as a main method of transport. 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! The fact is there are plenty more cyclists on the road now than there were just a few years ago. Have you been thinking about getting a bicycle? If you have been thinking about using a bike as your main mode of transportation, or just thinking about getting one for fun, there are a few things you need to think about.
One thing that is usually the first on the list is the cost of the bike. This doesn't mean other things aren't important, like where you are going to ride or how often you will, but it does mean that the cost of the bicycle should be one of your main concerns.
The price ranges of good bikes go anywhere from the hundreds to the thousands. It's not going to matter if you don't have thousands of dollars to put on a bike, because there is a way you can find a great bike for a runaway price. You can go to auctions and find some of the best bikes available for a fraction of the price of new ones. Believe it or not, your bicycle seat should not sit at its lowest setting, resting against the crossbar. Always consider that you are going to have to raise the seat up off the crossbar when you are shopping for your bike. When you bring the seat up a few inches, you are going to have more room between the crossbar and you, and this will make for a much more comfortable ride. The goal here is to create a height with your seat so that when your pedal is at its lowest position your leg should be almost (but not quite) fully extended.
It is important that you allow adequate room between you and the crossbar. When you choose your bike, adjust the seat up a few inches from the crossbar and then sit on the bike. Your feet should still comfortably rest on the ground. Each type of bike requires different clearances. As an example, with a touring bike you will only require around 1". For mountain bikes you will require somewhere around 3 inches.
There are lots of things to think about additional resources when you are buying a cycling bicycle. You have innumerable decisions to make as you choose how safe a bike to buy, as well as one that is pleasing to the eye. If you don’t have a lot of experience with cycling bicycles, you will probably feel overwhelmed and insecure as you start your shopping. You can rest assured that by doing minimal research into your options, you’ll make the perfect decision for you.
Try to understand your choices before you go shopping. You’ll reap the benefits.