There are lots of reasons to choose a bicycle as your primary means of transportation. There are many different reasons to cycle, and some have nothing to do with being a preferred method of getting to point A to point B. Some people have decided to take up cycling as a way to exercise. Some choose to cycle because they are in competitions with cycling. Still others ride bicycles as a hobby because they enjoy the feeling of riding a bicycle around their neighborhood. Regardless of your reason for needing to find a bicycle, you need to take some things into consideration when the time comes to choose the perfect bicycle for you. Here are some hints to help you make your choice.
It goes without saying that choosing the correctly sized bike is of utmost importance. To accomplish this you need know your inseam measurement. Your inseam is the amount of inches from the bottom of your foot, up the inside of your leg to your groin. When you get a bike you should be able to lay both feet flat to the ground if need be. This is mainly for safety and will allow you to use your feet to stop the bike without the brakes if needed.
Will you need more bells and whistles for your bike to function optimally? Perhaps a basket to help you carry items will be helpful, should your bike be what you'll be using most. Will about his you be travelling with a child? Then you have to choose a bike that will allow for a child seat attachment. Will you be towing anything behind you? Then you’ll need a bike that can support a trailer’s weight.
Be certain to leave adequate room between yourself and your bikes crossbar. When you get a bike be sure to move the seat up a couple of inches from the crossbar. Sit on it and make sure you can rest your feet flat to the ground. Each type of bike requires different clearances. For example a touring bike will require around an inch. With a mountain bike however you will need some more, 3 inches should suffice.
When looking for a bike your main goal is to find one that suits you physically. Selecting a bike with a good fit for you is of the utmost importance, when using a bike as the main way to get from A to B. You need to feel safe but also comfortable on your bike, otherwise you won't enjoy riding it!