In recent times the western world has undergone a transportation change. While the majority of people in the western world seemed most interested in travelling via automobile, in the last couple of decades many people have been choosing the bicycle as their primary mode of transportation. 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! Whatever the reason, there are more cyclists on the road than ever. Maybe you have considered buying a bike? If you have been thinking about using a bike as your main mode of transportation, or just thinking about getting one for fun, there are a few things you need to think about.
One of the major parts of choosing the right cycling bicycle for you is making sure that the bicycle is the right size. To accomplish this you need know your inseam measurement. Simply measure the distance from your groin to the bottom of your foot, down the inside of your leg. You should ideally be able to place both feet on the ground when sitting in on your bike. If you can do this you need not worry about stopping in an emergency if your brakes malfunction.
For a road bike you should take away 9" from the inseam measurement you took earlier. This is due to the type of tires you will be using for a road bike. Designed for cycling around the city road bike tires are thin. You will want to subtract 12" for a mountain bike. The tires on a mountain bike are not the same as a road bike. Mountain bike tires will be thick and designed for mountainous terrain. You can use mountain bikes for city cycling, but the opposite is not true and they are nowhere near as good on next city streets as road bikes.
You also need to acquire some safety gear. There have been many advancements on bicycle helmets since they first were introduced. Now they offer better protection while being a little bit more stylish. You should never even think about riding the bike without first putting on your helmet. You don't even realize how important this thing can be in saving your life.
You might also consider investing in elbow, knee, wrist and ankle guards—especially if you are going to be going “off road†on your bicycle. 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. These clips are designed to keep your pants from getting caught up in the gears and the chain.
How well you fit physically with your bike is what is most important. If you intend to use your bike a lot, perhaps as your main method of transport, it is important you keep this in mind. Safety is important when on a bike but do not overlook comfort, otherwise those long rides will soon grow tiresome.