As you know, there are numerous reasons to start cycling. There are many that decide to ride bicycles because they are able to save a ton of money on both the price of gas and maintenance costs. There are those who choose to cycle because they want to do their part in helping the environment.
And then there are those who choose to cycle because they simply love it. No matter the reason you want to find the perfect cycle for you, you should keep certain things in mind when you are ready to go shopping. You will be surprised at how much more there is to a bicycle than just the looks. This article gives you some tips and pointers to help you pick the bicycle that will be perfect for you.
It is important to know how your bike comes to a stop. 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. For more hardcore cycling on tough terrain you may want some better brakes. These disk brakes are perfect for serious bike use, they sit inside the wheel and will be able to handle heavy use without malfunction.
If you intend to get a road bike then take 9" away from your total inseam. The size of the tires a road bike uses are the reason for this. These tires will be thinner and designed for efficiency on concrete roads or pavements. For a mountain bike take away 12 inches from your inseam. 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. Mountain bikes can travel on city pavement but that is not what they are designed to do.
Another essential element in a comfortable cycling experience is the angle of the seat(also known as the saddle). There are a variety of options for tilting the bicycle seat. Most find that a flat seat can prove to be extremely uncomfortable, so they adjust it to their preference. Continue to adjust your seat until it feels the best for you. You may find that if you leave the seat in the flat position, the narrow part of the seat will not allow you to comfortably bend forward.
As you can see, there are several things you should keep in mind when you decide on a bicycle that's right for you. It can become a frustrating process at times to try and figure out exactly what bike you need and which accessories you should get to go with it. If you will not jump into things and try and educate yourself on what you need, you will be pleased with here the results.