In the last couple of decades a major shift has been happening in transportation. While the majority of people in the western world seemed most interested in travelling via automobile, in the last couple of decades many people have been choosing the bicycle as their primary mode of transportation. Perhaps the trend can be put down to 'green' thinking, or maybe just the prices of gas are starting to get to people. Either way you will now find the roads filled with more cyclists than ever before. 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 experts who state that this isn't a good way to choose a bike, however. 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 on the ground and your knees are bent when you sit on the seat of the click to investigate 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 to come up too high.
Are you going to need to accommodate extra accessories? Perhaps a basket to help you carry items will be helpful, should your bike be what you'll be using most. Will you ever carry a child on your bike? If this is the case, you must choose a bike that can support a child's seat. How about towing something behind the bike? Choose a bike that can support the weight of a trailer, if this is something you’ll do.
The number of gears you’ll use will also affect your choice. Make your choice by knowing that if you ride in mountainous areas you’ll need more gears than when riding in a flat area. Many beginning cyclists think that the more gears a bicycle has, the better it is. You may never have cause to use all the gears. It’s a waste of money to pay for all those unused gears. Find out where you’ll ride your bike, especially if this is your main vehicle, and make sure you have enough gears to handle the areas through which you will travel. There are plenty of things to consider when choosing a bike. The durability of a bike may be the most important thing depending on how you intend to use it. 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 can also be a point to consider. It is important to do your research and to shop around before you buy a bicycle. Buying the first bike you find is not advised, in doing this you could end up with a terrible bike and miss out on one that is perfect for you.