We have seen a change in transportation recently. Cars were the king of the road, however we can now see a growing trend in the popularity of cycling as a main method of transport. It could be down to efforts to remain green, perhaps people want to save money on high gas prices, or maybe many people just want to get in shape! The fact is there are plenty more cyclists on the road now than there were just a few years ago. Have you been thinking about getting a bicycle? Here are some hints to help you choose the cycling bicycle that is right for you.
How your bike brakes is incredibly important. 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. For light use you can get a bike with traditional brakes, ones which simply squeeze the tires with small pads. 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.
For road bikes take away 9 inches from the total of your inseam. The size of the tires a road bike uses are the reason for this. These tires will be thinner and designed for efficiency on concrete roads or pavements. For a mountain bike you will need to take 12" away from your total inseam. Again this is to account for the type of tires you will be using. Mountain bike tires read will be thick and designed for mountainous terrain. You can of course use a mountain bike for road cycling but this isn't supposed to be their primary use.
Another thing to keep in mind is purchasing safety gear. Bicycle helmets are something completely different than they once were. Now they offer better protection while being a little bit more stylish. You should never, ever ride your bicycle unless you are wearing your helmet. You don't even realize how important this thing can be in saving 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. Pants clips are another great investment, especially if you are using your bike as your sole means of transportation. These are clips that keep your pants legs up and out of the way of your gears and chain. Several different factors play into how you are going to choose the right bicycle. Will this be an activity that you enjoy daily, or will you only be taking your bicycle out on special occasions? What height makes you feel the most comfortable? Would you rather have room between your feet and the ground or would you rather be able to touch the ground with your feet when you come to a stop? You will need to consider each of these things when choosing your bicycle..