Popular methods of transport have altered in recent times. 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. Perhaps the trend can be put down to 'green' thinking, or maybe just the prices of gas are starting to get to people. No matter what has caused it, the fact is there are now more cyclists on the road than in a long while. Maybe you have considered buying a bike? If this is the case it is important you know what to look for, the following tips will help you in your quest to find a suitable bike.
You want to first and foremost, ensure that you are able to come to a stop on your bicycle, and the key to that is selecting a bicycle that allows you to rest your feet flat on the ground, when you are sitting on the seat. There are experts who state that this isn't a good way to choose a bike, however. These experts say in order to have the best cycling experience you can, you should allow for a few inches between the ground and your feet. If your feet are on the ground and your knees are bent when you sit on the seat of the bike, it generally means that the seat is sitting too low for you and too close to the crossbar. Also, if you find that your knees are bent when sitting on the bike, your knees are going to come up too high when you are pedaling your bike. You shouldn't ever sit the seat at the lowest setting, which means sitting on the crossbar. Always consider that you are going to have to raise the seat up off the crossbar when you are shopping for your bike. When you bring the seat up a few inches, you are going to have more room between the crossbar and you, and this will make for a much more comfortable ride. The ideal seat height can be achieved, by ensuring that your leg is very close to completely extended, when your foot is at it's lowest position while on the pedal.
Never leave out the safety gear, either. Bicycle helmets have come a long way since they were first introduced. Not only do they look a little better now, they are also safer for you. You must always wear your helmet when you are riding your bike, no matter what. You never know when that little detail is going to save you from an early grave.
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. Another piece of safety equipment that you should think about getting are pants clips, especially if you are going to be using your bike as a primary mode of transportation. They work by clipping your pants out of the way so navigate to these guys they can't get tangled in the chain or gears. When you are searching for the appropriate cycling bicycle to suit you, there are a number of factors to consider. Are you going to be using your bike every day or will you only be riding every so often? What seat height gives you the most comfortable ride? Would you rather be able to put your feet flat on the ground or would you rather have that few inches between your feet and the ground when you are sitting down? All of these factors will come into play as you make your choice.