There are many people who decide to cycle as a way to get from one place to another. There are many different reasons to cycle, and some have nothing to do with being a preferred method of getting to point A to point B. Some people choose to cycle because they need the exercise. Others go cycling because they compete in it as a sport. And there are others who decide to take up cycling as a hobby to share with their family or friends. 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. Here are some hints to help you make your choice.
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 say that it is better to give yourself a few inches between your feet and the ground to create a more comfortable cycling experience. When buying a new bike, you will see the seat is placed extremely low to the crossbar, so when you sit on the bike with your feet on the ground and are able to bend your knees, you should pick a different bike. 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. You shouldn't ever sit the seat at the lowest setting, which means sitting on the crossbar. You always want to bring the seat up at least a few this inches when you begin to ride, so keep this in mind when you are picking your bike. Adjusting your seat up a few inches will give you more clearance between you and the crossbar of your bicycle, which can add quite a bit of comfort to your ride. The goal here is to create a height with your seat so that when your pedal is at its lowest position your leg should be almost (but not quite) fully extended.
You should already have your safety gear bought and ready to go. Bicycles of then and bicycles of now are two completely different things. Not only do they look a little better now, they are also safer for you. You should never even think about riding the bike without first putting on your helmet. This little thing can mean the difference between life and death.
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. If you plan to use your bike as a sole means of transportation, buy yourself some pants clips. They work by clipping your pants out of the way so they can't get tangled in the chain or gears. You need to consider several things when choosing your bicycle for the first time. Will this be an activity that you enjoy daily, or will you only be taking your bicycle out on special occasions? Which height of bike is the most comfortable fit for you? Do you feel more at ease with your feet just above the ground as you sit on the seat, or would you rather that your feet sit flat when you are at rest? All of these factors will come into play as you make your choice.