There are lots of reasons to take up cycling. There are many that decide to ride bicycles because they are able to save a ton of money on both the price of gas and maintenance costs. Some people decide to take up cycling because it is a healthier choice for the environment.
And there are other riders who love to do it because it's fun. No matter the reason you want to find the perfect cycle for you, you should keep certain things in mind when you are ready to go shopping. Choosing the right bicycle is more than just picking the one that's the best looking. Outlined hereafter are some pointers you can take into consideration when going out to buy your bike.
The first thing you need to do is try the bicycle on for size, meaning sit on it and make sure that your feet are still flat on the floor so you will be able to stop yourself. There are some people that say this isn't the best way to choose, though. These experts say in order to have the best cycling experience you can, you should allow for a few inches between the ground and your feet. If your feet are on the ground and your knees are bent when you sit on the seat of the bike, it generally means that the seat is sitting too low for you and too close to the crossbar. This is because when you are pedaling with this bike, your knees are going to come up too high. The type of handlebars you choose is also important. As you probably know, there are many different types of handlebars. Those handlebars which extend horizontally out offer great control for maneuvering. 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 get a bike be sure to move the seat up a couple of inches from the crossbar. Sit on it and make sure you can rest your feet flat to the ground. Different bikes will need differing clearance amounts. 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.
As you can see, there are several things you should keep in mind when you decide on a bicycle that's right for link 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. Don't become discouraged; map out what you need for your bike and you'll be on your way in no time.