The preferred mode of transport has taken an unlikely turn in recent years. More and more people are leaving the car behind in favor of the bicycle, in the west the car reigned supreme but we are now seeing a growth in popularity of the bike. 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! Either way you will now find the roads filled with more cyclists than ever before. Have you been thinking about getting a bicycle? If you have been thinking about using a bike as your main mode of transportation, or just thinking about getting one for fun, there are a few things you need to think about.
The first thing to consider when buying a bicycle is the cost of the bike. Of course you are going to need to think about how much you will ride your bike as well as where you are going to be riding it, but cost is one of the most important things.
If you are new to the bike buying business, you will see that the price can be anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. This doesn't mean you are going to have to spend thousands of dollars on a good bike, because there are ways you can find a great bike for a great price. Used bicycles and bicycles being sold at auction are great ways to save money while still getting the cycling bicycle that you need and want.
Be cautious, however, and always be sure to test the bike out before you buy it. Don't just jump on and jump off though, take a nice little ride for at least a few minutes. Do you know of anyone that would buy a used car without taking it out for a test drive?
So why wouldn't this apply to buying a bicycle? You really need to do this important source if you are going to spend a lot of money on the bicycle, and if you are going to ride the bicycle a lot. 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?
It is important that you allow adequate room between you and the crossbar. When choosing a bike move the seat so it is a couple of inches above the crossbar. You should be able to still rest your feet flat on the floor. You will want to leave different clearance lengths depending on the type of bicycle you are buying. A good example is a touring bike, with these bikes you will only need around 1" difference. However for a mountain bike you will need 3" between the crossbar and yourself. Several different factors play into how you are going to choose the right bicycle. Is this a bike you are going to be riding every single day or is it a bike you are only going to ride every now and them? Which height is most comfortable for you? Would you rather be able to put your feet flat on the ground or would you rather have that few inches between your feet and the ground when you are sitting down? You will need to consider each of these things when choosing your bicycle..