As you know, there are numerous reasons to start 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 others still are riding simply because they love to ride. 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. You will be surprised at how much more there is to a bicycle than just the looks. Outlined hereafter are some pointers you can take into consideration when going out to buy your bike.
The first thing to consider when buying a bicycle 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.
If you are new to the bike buying business, you will see that the price can be anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. That doesn't mean all bicycles are going to cost that much, so don't worry; there is no reason why you can't find a great bicycle that is in your price range. The local auctions are some of the best ways to find wonderful deals on things like bicycles and equipment so you won't find yourself spending too much money.
Before you buy any bicycle, you are going to want to take it for a test ride. You should never buy something you haven't tried out for at least a few minutes. Think about it: would you buy a car without taking it for a test drive?
So why wouldn't this apply to buying a bicycle? It's even more important for you to do if you plan on spending a significant amount of money on it and will be using it a lot. You need to make sure the bike is going to 'fit' you. Not only should it be the correct size for you, but it should be easily adaptable to your lifestyle, meaning your riding style. You wouldn't want to waste money on a bicycle you don't enjoy riding.
Don’t forget to buy your safety gear. The new bicycle helmets look and feel nothing like the old bicycle helmets. They are now designed to offer better protection while looking a bit better, as well. You should never go for a ride without putting on your helmet first. You don't even realize how important this thing can be in saving your life.
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. If you plan to use your bike as a sole means of transportation, buy navigate here yourself some pants clips. They work by clipping your pants out of the way so they can't get tangled in the chain or gears. There are many different factors to take into account when finding the right bicycle. Do you want to ride your bicycle every day or do you see yourself only riding it once in a while? What height makes you feel the most comfortable? Do you feel more at ease with your feet just above the ground as you sit on the seat, or would you rather that your feet sit flat when you are at rest? You will need to consider each of these things when choosing your bicycle..