The preferred mode of transport has taken an unlikely turn in recent years. Cars have long been the most likely mode of transport in developed countries, however bikes are beginning to rise in popularity. It could be down to efforts to remain green, perhaps people want to save money on high gas prices, or maybe many people just want to get in shape! The fact is there are plenty more cyclists on the road now than there were just a few years ago. Have you been tempted to use a bike for your everyday transport needs? If so the following is some handy advice on what to look out for.
You need to make sure you pick a bike that is the right size. To accomplish this you need know your inseam measurement. Simply measure the distance from your groin to the bottom of your foot, down the inside of your leg. When you get a bike you should be able to lay both feet flat to the ground if need be. This is for safety more than anything else, if your brakes should fail you will not be able to easily stop the bike otherwise.
For a road bike you should take away 9" from the inseam measurement you took earlier. This is because of the size of the tires on your road bike. City riding is done with thin tires, designed to work perfectly with the smooth concrete roads and sidewalks you find in a city. You will want to subtract 12" for a mountain bike. The tires on a mountain bike are not the same as a road bike. Mountain bike tires will be thick and designed for mountainous terrain. You can of course use a mountain bike for road cycling but this isn't supposed to be their primary use.
Be sure to allow room between the crossbar and yourself. When you choose your bike, adjust the seat up a few inches from the crossbar and then sit on the bike. Make certain you can still place both feet flatly on the ground. You will want to leave different clearance lengths depending on the type of bicycle you are buying. As an example, with a touring bike you will only require around 1". With a mountain bike however you will need some more, 3 inches should suffice.
When purchasing a bicycle, you have tons look at here now to consider. From how safe the bicycle is to what it looks like, there are lots of choices to make. Feeling a little defeated at the outset of choosing your new bike is normal. Do your research and then you’ll feel better prepared to choose your new bike.
Look up some of your choices before you hit the store. You’ll be glad you did!