Most people assume picking the right bike is an easy task. Simply finding the bike they like the look of is all there is to it, right? As long as it is comfortable that's all you need to worry about. This is wrong, the fact is there are more things to consider these days than there was a few years ago. Cycling is increasing in popularity each day, be it for fun or as a serious mode of transport, there are now more bikes to choose from than ever before. Some people are choosing to cycle as a means of transportation on a regular basis. While many people cycle as a hobby. If you want to know those important things to look out for when selecting a bike, read the following.
The basic key to choosing a bicycle is to buy a bicycle that you can sit on and rest your feet flat on the floor so that you can stop yourself. There are experts who state that this isn't a good way to choose a bike, however. They say that it is better to give yourself a few inches between your feet and the ground to create a more comfortable cycling experience. You will likely find that the seat will rest too near the crossbar, if, when you sit on the seat, your knees are bent with your feet flat on the ground, which is an indication that the seat needs to be raised. This is because when you are pedaling with this bike, your knees are going to come up too high.
If you want to ride a road bike, you will need to subtract about nine inches from your inseam measurement. This is down to the tires a road bike equips. Designed to work best on concrete pavements, road bikes are best suited to cycling around the city. You will want to subtract 12" for a mountain bike. Again this is to account for the type of tires you will be using. Mountain bike tires will be thick and designed for mountainous terrain. You can always use a mountain bike for city cycling, although this is not how they are best used.
Be certain to leave adequate room between yourself and your bikes crossbar. When selecting a bike make sure you move the seat up slightly, to around a few inches above the height of the crossbar. Make sure you can place both feet on the ground if need be. Each type of bike requires different clearances. As an example, with a touring bike you will only require around 1". With a mountain bike however you will need some more, 3 inches should suffice.
You should keep these things in mind when you go out and buy a bicycle, especially if you want to find the one that is right for you. It can become a frustrating process at times to try and figure out exactly what bike check this out 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.