We have seen a change in transportation recently. 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. This trend can be attributed to the idea of keeping things 'green' in a bid to take care of our planet. It doesn't hurt that gas is increasing in price either! 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.
The first thing you need to do is try the bicycle on for size, meaning sit on it and make sure that your feet are still flat on the floor so you will be able to stop yourself. Some experts, however, say that this is not a good idea. It is their belief, that your time on your bicycle will be much more comfortable, if you allow your feet to remain several inches off the ground. 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. This is because when you are pedaling with this bike, your knees are going to come up too high. Some individuals may be surprised at the recommendation that the seat not be adjusted to the lowest setting available, which causes it to contact the crossbar. You want to adjust it up a few inches and take those inches into account when you are choosing your bike. You want to have the comfort of the seat being higher up than the crossbar on the bike, because if the seat is sitting on the crossbar, you will not be comfortable. The goal here is to create a height with your seat so that when your pedal is at its lowest position your leg should be almost (but not quite) fully extended.
Don’t forget to buy your 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'd be surprised at how many lives have been saved from that one simple thing.
It wouldn't hurt to also grab some elbow and knee guards, as well as ankle and wrist guards, just in case you decide to take your bike off the 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. They work by clipping your pants out of the way so they can't get tangled in the chain or gears.
You will see there are many things you should consider when you are finding the bike that's right for you. It can become a frustrating process at times to try try this site and figure out exactly what bike you need and which accessories you should get to go with it. As long as you go about the process slowly and research a little before you go, you should have no problem finding the perfect bike.