We have seen a change in transportation recently. More and more people are leaving the car behind in favor of the bicycle, in the west the car reigned supreme but we are now seeing a growth in popularity of the bike. Perhaps the trend can be put down to 'green' thinking, or maybe just the prices of gas are starting to get to people. The fact is there are plenty more cyclists on the road now than there were just a few years ago. Maybe you have been pondering purchasing a bike? If so the following is some handy advice on what to look out for.
The brakes on your bike are of utmost importance. You need to make sure you understand how your brakes work and what kind of brakes you need your bike to have. 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. For more hardcore cycling on tough terrain you may want some better 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.
Don't ever make the purchase until you have tried the bicycle out. Don't just jump on and jump off though, take a nice little ride for at least a few minutes. Think about it: would you buy a car without taking it for a test drive?
Why wouldn’t you do the same with a bicycle? You need to do this especially if you are spending a lot of money on a bike that you know you will use for a long time. Make sure the bike is perfect for you. This doesn't only mean physically fit you, this also means one that easily fits your riding styles. You don't want make an investment on a bike that isn't going to feel good to ride.
Be certain go now to leave adequate room between yourself and your bikes crossbar. When choosing a bike move the seat so it is a couple of 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. For example a touring bike will require around an inch. However for a mountain bike you will need 3" between the crossbar and yourself. As you can see, there are many things to take into consideration when deciding on the perfect bicycle for you. The durability of a bike may be the most important thing depending on how you intend to use it. You may simply be looking for the bike least likely to malfunction because you rely on it to get around. Price can also really affect your decisions. Research is important when purchasing anything, especially a bike. You will also want to shop around to find the best deal. Buying the first bike you find is not advised, in doing this you could end up with a terrible bike and miss out on one that is perfect for you.