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 there are some who like to cycle simply because it is 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. There is more to choosing the right cycling bicycle than the colors used to paint it! Here are some helpful tips that you can use to help you decide which bicycle you should buy.
The brakes on your bike are of utmost importance. Brakes are very important on a bike, you need to understand how they work and what type you will most likely need for your bike. There are some bicycles that have breaks that are designed to grab onto the wheels and squeeze then in order to stop the motion, and this is great for a hobby rider. However if you use your bike regularly and on serious terrain you should go with more sturdy brakes. These brakes are called 'disc brakes' and are located within the wheel, they are far more reliable than normal brakes and are less likely to fail over time.
If you want to ride a road bike, you will need to subtract about nine inches from your inseam measurement. This is due to the type of tires you will be using for a road bike. Designed for cycling around the city road bike tires are thin. You will want to subtract 12" for a mountain bike. Again this is to account for the size of tires. Mountain bike tires are thicker than road bike tires, designed for rocky terrain. It is possible to use mountain bikes for city cycling although this is not what they are best suited for.
Another thing to keep in mind is purchasing safety gear. Bicycle helmets have come a long official source way since they were first introduced. Not only do they look a little better now, they are also safer for you. You should never even think about riding the bike without first putting on your helmet. You never know when that little detail is going to save you from an early grave.
It wouldn't hurt to also grab some elbow and knee guards, as well as ankle and wrist guards, just in case you decide to take your bike off the road. Another piece of safety equipment that you should think about getting are pants clips, especially if you are going to be using your bike as a primary mode of transportation. Pants clips are designed to hold your pants in place so they don't get caught up in the chain or the gears of the bike. Several different factors play into how you are going to choose the right bicycle. Are you going to be using your bike every day or will you only be riding every so often? What height makes you feel the most comfortable? Are you a person who would rather your feet be flat on the ground when you are sitting or would you rather have a little room between your feet and the ground? Think about all this when buying your bike, and you will make the right choice.