There are many people who decide to cycle as a way to get from one place to another. You may not even choose to ride a bicycle as a means of transportation at all. Lots of people go cycling as a form of exercise. Some people cycle as a competitive sport. Still others ride bicycles as a hobby because they enjoy the feeling of riding a bicycle around their neighborhood. When deciding to purchase a cycling bicycle, there will be a number of elements that need to be taken into account, and this is true for those wishing to enjoy cycling as a hobby, sport, or a means of getting from point A to point B. This article provides some advice to help you along your way.
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. You will likely find that the seat will rest too near the crossbar, if, when you sit on the seat, your knees are bent with your feet flat on the ground, which is an indication that the seat needs to be raised. 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. The size of the tires a road bike uses are the reason for this. These tires will be thinner and designed for efficiency on concrete next roads or pavements. For a mountain bike you will need to take 12" away from your total inseam. The tires on a mountain bike are not the same as a road bike. You will find them to be much bigger and designed to handle rocky terrain. Mountain bikes can travel on city pavement but that is not what they are designed to do.
Where you set the angle of your seat is also something to consider. You can tilt the seat any way you want it. Most find that a flat seat can prove to be extremely uncomfortable, so they adjust it to their preference. Find the position that will be most comfortable to you, and stick with it. You may find that if you leave the seat in the flat position, the narrow part of the seat will not allow you to comfortably bend forward.
As you can see, there are several things you should keep in mind when you decide on a bicycle that's right for you. There are so many different bicycles and accessories available that it can feel overwhelming as you try to decide which items are best for you. As long as you go prepared and know what you need and are looking for, you can shed some of that frustration and find the perfect bike.