Many people have found reason in taking up cycling. There are those who decide to take up cycling because the price of gas is too high and the cost of maintenance on a vehicle is too high. Some are 'going green' and taking an active part in trying to help our environment by choosing to ride a bike over a car.
And then there are those who choose to cycle because they simply love it. If you fall into these categories or are in one of your own and you are shopping for a new bike, take the time to read up on some of the things you should know before buying. Choosing the right bicycle is more than just picking the one that's the best looking. Outlined hereafter are some pointers you can take into consideration when going out to buy your bike.
One thing that is usually the first on the list is the cost of the bike. Sure you should also consider things like where you will be riding and how often you will be riding, but your other major criteria will almost always be the price of the bicycle.
Good bicycles can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. It's not going to matter if you don't have thousands of dollars to put on a bike, because there is a way you can find a great bike for a runaway price. You can go to auctions and find some of the best bikes available for a fraction of the price of new ones.
For road bikes take away 9 inches from the total of your inseam. This is to account for the size of tires you will use on a road bike. Designed for cycling around the city road bike tires are thin. For a mountain bike you will need to take 12" away from your total inseam. Again this is to account for the size of tires. 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.
Another thing to keep in mind is purchasing safety gear. Bicycle helmets have come a long way since they were first introduced. 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 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 good idea is to buy some pants clips if you are going to be riding your bike as your primary form of transportation. These clips are designed to keep your pants from getting caught up in the gears and the chain. You will need to think about many different things when choosing a bike for them. There are people who view the durability of a bike to be most important, this is especially true if you plan to use your bike a lot over rough terrain. Others need a bicycle that will help get them from point to point with very little chance of breaking down. Price may be the biggest thing you want to consider. Research is important when purchasing anything, especially a bike. You will also want to shop why not try this out around to find the best deal. If you just get the first one you find it may not be the best suited for you and could even be a bad bike.