The preferred mode of transport has taken an unlikely turn in recent years. While the majority of people in the western world seemed most interested in travelling via automobile, in the last couple of decades many people have been choosing the bicycle as their primary mode of transportation. Perhaps this because the last couple of decades have seen a major shift in the popularity of “living green.†Maybe it is because the cost of gas is just too high. The fact is there are plenty more cyclists on the road now than there were just a few years ago. Have you been tempted to use a bike for your everyday transport needs? If so the following is some handy advice on what to look out for.
It is important to know how your bike comes to a stop. Be sure you know how your brakes work and which type you will likely need. There are some bicycles that have breaks that are designed to grab onto the wheels and squeeze then in order to stop the motion, and this is great for a hobby rider. However if you use your bike regularly and on serious terrain you should go with more sturdy brakes. For such cycling you should look to disc brakes, these are located within the wheel itself and are less likely to be weakened over time or worse, fail. The handlebars you choose are another important aspect. 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. They are also better for distributing your body weight over a larger area. If you are going to be racing, however, you’ll want handlebars that are slimmer and that force you to lean forward to create a more streamlined effect, which can help you go faster on the road. If you aren’t going to be using your bicycle very often, you might simply opt for a handlebar style that feels comfortable and makes it easier to store your bicycle while you aren’t using it.
Be certain to leave adequate room between yourself and your bikes crossbar. When browsing for a bike try some out, make sure the site web seat is a few inches above the crossbar. Sit on it and make sure you can rest your feet flat to the ground. Different bikes will need differing clearance amounts. If you are buying a touring bike, for example, you only need an inch or so of clearance. However for a mountain bike you will need 3" between the crossbar and yourself.
There are many different things you should consider when the time comes to buy the perfect bicycle for yourself. It can become a frustrating process at times to try and figure out exactly what bike you need and which accessories you should get to go with it. 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.