Many reasons will push you to choose a bicycle as a new mode of transportation. You may not even choose to ride a bicycle as a means of transportation at all. Some people choose to cycle because they need the exercise. Others go cycling because they compete in it as a sport. And some people decide that they want to take up cycling as a hobby with their family and friends. 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. Here are some hints to help you make your choice.
You need to make sure you pick a bike that is the right size. To accomplish this you need know your inseam measurement. To do this, simply run a measuring tape up the inside of your leg from the bottom of your foot to your groin. When you get a bike you should be able to lay both feet flat to the ground if need be. This is for saftey reasons and will allow you to stop the bike if your brakes fail, avoiding any injury. You will also need to consider which handlebars you want on your bike. There are many different types to choose from, each better for specific roles. Traditional handlebars that just go straight out are good for maneuvering over difficult terrain. These kinds of handlebars are also great in distributing your weight evenly. If you are using your bike for racing, then you want to pick some handlebars that are more slim and allow you to lean forward on your bike so you can go faster. For those people who rarely use their bikes you can get away with just selecting comfortable handlebars that can be stored away easily.
Be certain to leave adequate room between yourself and your bikes crossbar. When you choose your bike, adjust the seat up a few inches from the crossbar and then sit on the bike. Make sure you can place both feet on the ground if need be. Each type of bike requires different clearances. A good example is a touring bike, with these bikes you will only need around 1" difference. For mountain bikes you will require somewhere around 3 inches. 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 click for source your bicycle out on special occasions? What height makes you feel the most comfortable? Are you a person who would rather your feet be flat on the ground when you are sitting or would you rather have a little room between your feet and the ground? All of these factors will come into play as you make your choice.