The preferred mode of transport has taken an unlikely turn in recent years. More and more people are leaving the car behind in favor of the bicycle, in the west the car reigned supreme but we are now seeing a growth in popularity of the bike. Perhaps this because the last couple of decades have seen a major shift in the popularity of “living green.†Maybe it is because the cost of gas is just too high. Either way you will now find the roads filled with more cyclists than ever before. Perhaps you have been giving some thought to getting a bike yourself? If you have then there are several things you should look at when you do.
The brakes on your bike are of utmost importance. You need to make sure you understand how your brakes work and what kind of brakes you need your bike to have. If you only want a bike to use occasionally as a hobby, you can go with normal brakes which are just small pads designed to clasp the wheel when used. However if you use your bike regularly and on serious terrain you should go with more sturdy brakes. The best kind of braking system to choose for this style of riding is the disk brakes, because they are build to handle more and are less apt to fail under stress. 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 this website when you are shopping for your bike. You will have a much more comfortable experience when riding if you are able to get some clearance between the crossbar of the bicycle and you. The best way to adjust your seat to the correct height is to place your foot on the pedal at the lowest setting and bring the seat up as high as it can go so that your leg is almost fully extended.
Be sure to allow room between the crossbar and yourself. When you get a bike be sure to move the seat up a couple of inches from the crossbar. Make certain you can still place both feet flatly on the ground. Each type of bike will require differing clearance amounts. A touring bike for example will require around 1", perhaps slightly more. With a mountain bike a clearance of 3" will be necessary. You need to consider several things when choosing your bicycle for the first time. Do you want to ride your bicycle every day or do you see yourself only riding it once in a while? Which height is most comfortable for you? Would you rather have room between your feet and the ground or would you rather be able to touch the ground with your feet when you come to a stop? These are some of the things you need to consider when choosing your bike.