There are lots of reasons to choose a bicycle as your primary means of transportation. Just because you are riding a bicycle from one point to another doesn't mean it's your preferred way to travel. Some people choose to cycle because they need the exercise. The thrill of competition draws other people to the sport of cycling. Another group of individuals take pleasure in a simple, relaxed ride through their neighborhood. No matter your reason for needing to choose a bicycle, you need to consider a number of different things in order to choose the one that is right for you. Try these tips out to see if they can be of help.
One way to choose the bike that fits you is to sit on the bike and see if your feet will rest flat on the floor, in case you need to stop yourself. Some experts, however, say that this is not a good idea. They state the best way to choose a bike is to leave a few inches between your feet and the ground so you can have a more comfortable ride. The seat will usually sit a little low and too close to the crossbar if you are able to bend your knees while your feet are on the ground and your backside is on the bicycle’s seat. Your knees will cause interference as you are pedaling, because they will come up higher than they should, which is a result of your knees being bent when you are at rest with your feet down.
For road bikes take away 9 inches from the total of your inseam. This is to account for the size of tires you will use on a road bike. Designed to work best on concrete pavements, road bikes are best suited to cycling around the city. With a mountain bike you will need to take away around one foot from the inseam. Again this is to account for the size of tires. You will find them to be much bigger and designed to handle rocky terrain. It is possible to use mountain bikes for city cycling although this is not what they are best suited for.
Be sure to allow room between the crossbar and yourself. When choosing a bike move the seat so it is a couple of inches above the crossbar. Sit on it and make sure you can rest your feet my blog flat to the ground. Each type of bike requires different clearances. For example a touring bike will require around an inch. With a mountain bike a clearance of 3" will be necessary.
When looking for a bike your main goal is to find one that suits you physically. Selecting a bike with a good fit for you is of the utmost importance, when using a bike as the main way to get from A to B. You want to feel comfortable and safe as you travel from one point to another.