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 others still are riding simply because they love to ride. Whatever your reason for going cycle shopping there are some definite criteria that you need to think about before you make your choice. Bicycles should not just be chosen because of their looks or their brand name. Outlined hereafter are some pointers you can take into consideration when going out to buy your bike.
It goes without saying that choosing the correctly sized bike is of utmost importance. The measurement of your inseam is needed for this. 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 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.
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. Road bikes are meant for city cycling—the tires are thinner and work read more best on concrete paving. If you are looking for a mountain bike, you will want to subtract about a foot (twelve inches) from your inseam measurement. 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.
Where you set the angle of your seat is also something to consider. You can tilt the seat any way you want it. Most people find a seat that is flat to be a bit too uncomfortable, so they tilt it the way that feels the best. The seat allows you to make this adjustment to conform to your desired riding position. You can always leave the seat in the position it is in, but you will most likely find it to be very uncomfortable to ride.
You should keep these things in mind when you go out and buy a bicycle, especially if you want to find the one that is right for you. It can become a bit overwhelming when going shopping for a bike and accessories because there is just so much to choose from. If you will not jump into things and try and educate yourself on what you need, you will be pleased with the results.