Popular methods of transport have altered in recent times. 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 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. Whatever the reason, there are more cyclists on the road than ever. Maybe you have considered buying a bike? If so the following is some handy advice on what to look out for.
It is important to know how your bike comes to a stop. You have to think about what you are most comfortable with along the lines of stopping your bicycle. If you are choosing a bicycle for sporadic hobby riding, you can get by with the brakes that are little more than pads that squeeze your tires to keep them from moving. 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. What kind of handlebars you want on your bike is also a big choice. You may think all handlebars are the same, but they're not. Handlebars that extend straight out give you more control over how your bike is maneuvered over rough terrain. They are good for distributing your weight as you ride over a bigger area. If you are going to be racing, however, you’ll want handlebars that are slimmer and that force you to lean forward to create a more streamlined effect, which can help you go faster on the road. For people who rarely use their bike they will want handlebars which allow the bike to be stored away efficiently, but which also offer some level of comfort when cycling.
You also want to make sure you leave some room between you and the crossbar of your bike. When selecting a bike make sure you move the seat up slightly, to around a few inches above the height of the crossbar. You should be able to still rest your feet flat Find Out More on the floor. Which bike you get will greatly alter the clearance you will require. For example a touring bike will require around an inch. However for a mountain bike you will need 3" between the crossbar and yourself.
You will see there are many things you should consider when you are finding the bike that's right for you. It can be a bit tedious and frustrating to try and figure out what all you need when you are buying a bicycle. Don't become discouraged; map out what you need for your bike and you'll be on your way in no time.