There are lots of reasons to take up 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 there are other riders who love to do it because it's fun. No matter your reason for choosing to take up cycling, you need to know some important things before you decide on your first bicycle. Choosing the right bicycle is more than just picking the one that's the best looking. Outlined hereafter are some pointers you can take into consideration when going out to buy your bike.
The first thing to ensure is you get a bike that is the right size. For this you must calculate your inseam. Simply measure the distance from your groin to the bottom of your foot, down the inside of your leg. You should ideally be able to place both feet on the ground when sitting in on your bike. This means that you will be able to stop your bicycle with your feet if the brakes do not work—without having to tilt the bicycle and risk doing harm to it and to yourself.
You should always make sure to give the bike a test run before committing to buying it, though. Don't just jump on and jump off though, take a nice little ride for at least a few minutes. more helpful hints It's the same concept as buying a used car, there's no way you would take it without testing it.
So why wouldn't this apply to buying a bicycle? This is especially important if you are going to be spending large sums of money for a bicycle that you are going to be riding a lot. You need to make sure the bike is a perfect fit. Physical fit is easy to determine, but you also need to find a bike that “fits†your riding style. Why would you spend money on something that does not feel comfortable to ride?
Another thing to keep in mind is purchasing safety gear. Bicycle helmets are something completely different than they once were. They are now designed to offer better protection while looking a bit better, as well. You must always wear your helmet when you are riding your bike, no matter what. This little thing can mean the difference between life and death.
It wouldn't hurt to invest in some knee pads and elbow pads, as well as wrist and ankle guards if you plan to do some off-roading. Pants clips are another great investment, especially if you are using your bike as your sole means of transportation. These are clips that keep your pants legs up and out of the way of your gears and chain.
You will see there are many things you should consider when you are finding the bike 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. As long as you go prepared and know what you need and are looking for, you can shed some of that frustration and find the perfect bike.