As you know, there are numerous reasons to start cycling. Some decide they want to cycle more now because the price of gas has risen so high, and because it costs so much to keep a car maintained. Some people decide to take up cycling because it is a healthier choice for the environment.
And others still are riding simply because they love to ride. No matter your reason for choosing to take up cycling, you need to know some important things before you decide on your first bicycle. You will be surprised at how much more there is to a bicycle than just the looks. Here are some helpful tips that you can use to help you decide which bicycle you should buy.
Consider how the bicycle brakes, for one. It is vital you understand how your brakes work and what brakes will be best suited for your style of cycling. 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. If you decide you want your bike for more off-roading adventures, you need a different kind of braking system that can keep up with that particular style. The best kind of braking system to choose for this style of riding is the disk brakes, because they are build to handle more and are less apt to fail under stress.
You should always make sure to give the bike a test run before committing to buying it, though. You should never buy something you haven't tried out for at least a few minutes. It's exactly the same as buying a used car; you would never find yourself buying a used car without taking it out for a ride.
It's the same thing with a used bicycle. You need to do this especially if you are spending a lot of money on a bike that you know you will use for a long time. You need to make sure the bike is a perfect fit. Not only should it be the correct size for you, but it should be easily adaptable to your lifestyle, meaning your riding style. Why would you spend money on something that does not feel comfortable to ride?
Another thing to keep in mind is purchasing safety gear. Bicycles of then and bicycles of now are two completely different things. 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!
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. If you are going to be using your bicycle as your sole means of transportation, you should think of investing in some pants clips as well. These things are little clips that clip the pants leg up so they don't get tangled in the chain or the gears. There are many different factors to take into account when finding the right bicycle. Do you want to ride your bicycle every day or do you see yourself only riding it once in a while? What height makes you feel the most comfortable? Do you prefer your feet to rest flat on the ground or do you like to have some room between them and the ground when you are sitting on the bicycle’s seat? These are some of the things look these up you need to consider when choosing your bike.