The choice to utilize a bicycle as your main mode of transportation, is beneficial for a number of reasons. There are a lot of reasons to ride a bicycle that have nothing to do with your preferred method of getting places. Lots of people go cycling as a form of exercise. Others go cycling because they compete in it as a sport. And there are others that simply want a way to bond with their family, so they take up cycling. Regardless of why you are taking up cycling, you are going to have to consider a variety of things when choosing the bicycle that is a perfect fit for you. This article provides some advice to help you along your way.
The first thing you should think about, which is pretty obvious, needs to be the cost. Of course there are going to be other things to think about, like where you plan to ride or how long you will be using this bicycle, but the price is still most important.
You can find bicycles that range in price from hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars. That doesn't mean all bicycles are going to cost that much, so don't worry; there is no reason why you can't find a great bicycle that is in your price range. You can go to auctions and find some of the best bikes available for a fraction of the price of new ones. You shouldn't ever sit the seat at the lowest setting, which means sitting on the crossbar. Be sure to consider these few necessary inches between the seat and the crossbar, when you are out bicycle shopping. You will have a much more comfortable experience when riding if you are able to get some clearance between the crossbar of the bicycle and you. The ideal seat height can be achieved, by ensuring that your leg is very close to completely extended, when your foot is at it's lowest position while on the pedal.
You also need to acquire some safety gear. The these details new bicycle helmets look and feel nothing like the old bicycle helmets. They are now designed to offer better protection while looking a bit better, as well. You should never even think about riding the bike without first putting on your helmet. Sometimes that fraction of padding really can save your life!
If you are going to be taking your bike off road, then you need to also invest in some knee and elbow pads, as well as ankle and wrist guards. Another good idea is to buy some pants clips if you are going to be riding your bike as your primary form of transportation. They work by clipping your pants out of the way so they can't get tangled in the chain or gears.
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 about the process slowly and research a little before you go, you should have no problem finding the perfect bike.