There are lots of reasons to take up cycling. Some people choose to ride bicycles because they cannot afford the cost of gas and automobile maintenance. Others choose it because riding a bike is better for the environment than travelling in a car or using public transportation.
Still others simply ride bicycles for fun. No matter what the reason is for choosing a bicycle, there are some things you should keep in mind before you decide. You will be surprised at how much more there is to a bicycle than just the looks. Outlined hereafter are some pointers you can take into consideration when going out to buy your bike.
The first thing to consider when buying a bicycle is the cost of the bike. Of course you are going to need to think about how much you will ride your bike as well as where you are going to be riding it, but cost is one of the most important things.
You can find bicycles that range in price from hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars. The beauty of all this is you can save a ton of money when purchasing your bicycle, if you just know where to look for it. The local auctions are some of the best ways to find wonderful deals on things like bicycles and equipment so you won't find yourself spending too much money.
Take 9" away from the total of your inseam if you plan to get a road bike. This is down to the tires a road bike equips. City riding is done with thin tires, designed to work perfectly with the smooth concrete roads and sidewalks you find in a city. With a mountain bike you will need to take away around one foot from the inseam. This is because the tires of a mountain bike are different than those on a road bike. These tires are designed to handle rocky and jagged terrain so are therefore thicker. You can always use a mountain bike for city cycling, although this is not how they are best used.
Never leave out the safety gear, either. The new bicycle helmets look and feel nothing like the old bicycle helmets. Not only do they look a lot better than they used to, they are also built better to provide greater protection. You must always wear your helmet when you are straight from the source riding your bike, no matter what. Sometimes that fraction of padding really can save your life!
It wouldn't hurt to also get some elbow and knee pads, and some wrist and ankle guards if you are going to take your bike off-road. If you are going to be using your bicycle as your sole means of transportation, you should think of investing in some pants clips as well. They work by clipping your pants out of the way so they can't get tangled in the chain or gears. There are plenty of things to consider when choosing a bike. For some folks, sturdiness and stability will be a factor because they will need a bike that can take a lot of wear and tear. Others need a bicycle that will help get them from point to point with very little chance of breaking down. Price can also really affect your decisions. Be sure to shop around before taking the final decision and parting with your cash. Never jump on the first thing that is pretty, because you never know if you are making a mistake.