Knowing what to look for in your new bicycle is of paramount importance. Choosing their next bicycle is difficult, even for professional riders. The fact of the matter is that getting a bike involves many different choices. You need to think about safety, comfort, what the bike will be used for, how often the bicycle will be used, where the bicycle will be used and, if we’re being honest: style. Choosing between all of the options available can be overwhelming, especially since new developments in cycling happen all the time. Take the easy road, and use the tests we suggest to choose your new ride.
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 state the best way to choose a bike is to leave a few inches between your feet and the ground so you can have a more comfortable ride. The seat will usually sit a little low and too close to the crossbar if you are able to bend your knees while your feet are on the ground and your backside is on the bicycle’s seat. If this is happening, when you start to pedal the bike then your knees are going to come up too high.
For a road bike you should take away 9" from the inseam measurement you took earlier. This is due to the type of tires you will be using for a road bike. Road bikes are meant for city cycling—the tires are thinner and work best view it on concrete paving. For a mountain bike take away 12 inches from your inseam. This is because the tires of a mountain bike are different than those on a road bike. They are thicker and meant for a rockier terrain. Mountain bikes can travel on city pavement but that is not what they are designed to do.
The angle of your seat (also called the saddle) is also important. There are a variety of options for tilting the bicycle seat. Most find that a flat seat can prove to be extremely uncomfortable, so they adjust it to their preference. Continue to adjust your seat until it feels the best for you. 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. You will need to think about many different things when choosing a bike for them. You may want an incredibly durable bike that can handle being thrown around a bit. You may simply what the most reliable bike for getting you around the city. Price can also really affect your decisions. Research bikes before you decide which you want, then shop around before purchasing. If you just get the first one you find it may not be the best suited for you and could even be a bad bike.