Many people have found reason in taking up cycling. Some people choose to ride bicycles because they cannot afford the cost of gas and automobile maintenance. Some are 'going green' and taking an active part in trying to help our environment by choosing to ride a bike over a car.
And there are other riders who love to do it because it's fun. No matter what the reason is for choosing a bicycle, there are some things you should keep in mind before you decide. There is more to choosing the right cycling bicycle than the colors used to paint it! Contained hereafter are some hints and tips you can use to pick the bicycle that is perfect for you.
The brakes on your bike are of utmost importance. Brakes are very important on a bike, you need to understand how they work and what type you will most likely need for your bike. If you are choosing a bicycle for sporadic hobby riding, you can get by with the brakes that are little more than pads that squeeze your tires to keep them from moving. However if you use your bike regularly and on serious terrain you should go with more sturdy brakes. These brakes are called 'disc brakes' and are located within the wheel, they are far more reliable than normal brakes and are less likely to fail over time.
Always keep in mind that you want to test the bike before you buy it. You should never buy something you haven't tried out for at least a few minutes. This makes perfect sense because you know you'd never buy a car without test driving it first.
It's the same thing with a used bicycle. It's even more important for you to do if you plan on spending a significant amount of money on it and will be using it a lot. You want to find a bike that fits you. Not only should it be the correct size for you, but it should be easily adaptable to your lifestyle, meaning your riding style. You would never want to ride a bicycle that was uncomfortable for you.
The number of gears you’ll use will also affect your choice. If you plan to ride in rocky or mountainous areas, you’ll need more gears than riding on flat land. Just because a bike has more gears doesn't make it better. You may never even get around to using all the available gears. Why spend extra money paying for something that you don’t need? Find out where you’ll ride your bike, especially if this is your main vehicle, and make sure you have enough gears to handle the areas through which you will travel. You need to consider several things when choosing your bicycle for the first time. Are you going to be using your bike every day or will you only be riding every so often? Which height is most comfortable for you? Do you feel more at ease with your feet just above the ground as you sit on the seat, or would you rather that your feet sit flat when you are about his at rest? All of these factors will come into play as you make your choice.