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. This could be because down to the prices of gas and running a car, or perhaps people are deciding to care more for the planet. Either way you will now find the roads filled with more cyclists than ever before. Perhaps you have been giving some thought to getting a bike yourself? If you have then there are several things you should look at when you do.
One thing you can consider when choosing a bike is whether or not your feet can rest flat on the floor while you are sitting so you can stop yourself. There are some people that say this isn't the best way to choose, though. 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 you can bend your knees, your knees will come up too high when you are pedaling. The type of handlebars you choose is also important. There are plenty types of handlebars to choose from. Handlebars that extend straight out give you more control over how your bike is maneuvered over rough terrain. They are good for distributing your weight as you ride over a bigger area. For racing however you will want special handlebars, ones which are thinner and are positioned in such a way you can lean over them as you cycle. This is to lower wind resistance and will allow you to go faster. If you aren’t going like it to be using your bicycle very often, you might simply opt for a handlebar style that feels comfortable and makes it easier to store your bicycle while you aren’t using it.
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. A bike isn’t better just because it has more gears than another. In actuality, you may never use all the gears. Why spend extra money paying for something that you don’t need? Know how you’ll ride your bike; make sure you have the correct gears for traveling, especially when this is your main mode of transport.
There are many different things you should consider when the time comes to buy the perfect bicycle for yourself. It can become a frustrating process at times to try and figure out exactly what bike you need and which accessories you should get to go with it. As long as you go prepared and know what you need and are looking for, you can shed some of that frustration and find the perfect bike.