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. Perhaps this because the last couple of decades have seen a major shift in the popularity of “living green.†Maybe it is because the cost of gas is just too high. Whatever the reason, there are more cyclists on the road than ever. Have you been tempted to use a bike for your everyday transport needs? 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.
Consider how the bicycle brakes, for one. It is vital you understand how your brakes work and what brakes will be best suited for your style of cycling. There are some bicycles that have breaks that are designed to grab onto the wheels and squeeze then in order to stop the motion, and this is great for a hobby rider. If you are going to be using your bicycle more often or in heavy terrain, you will want brakes that are a little more hard core and complicated. For such cycling you should look to disc brakes, these are located within the wheel itself and are less likely to be weakened over time or worse, fail. You shouldn't keep the bicycle seat at the lowest setting, either. You always want to bring the seat up at least a few inches when you begin to ride, so keep this in mind when you are picking 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 best way to adjust your seat to the correct height is to place your foot on the pedal at the lowest setting and bring the seat up as high as it can go so that your leg is almost fully extended.
Another thing to keep in mind is purchasing safety gear. Bicycle helmets are something completely different than they once were. Not only are they made to better protect you, but they are also made to appeal a bit more aesthetically. You must always wear your helmet when you are riding your bike, no matter what. 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. Pants clips are another great investment, especially if you are using your bike as your sole means of transportation. Pants clips are designed to hold your pants in place read this post here so they don't get caught up in the chain or the gears of the bike. You have many things to consider when getting a bicycle. Some people will need a bicycle that can stand up under a lot of wear and tear. While other people just want a bike that is comfortable and will get them from one place to another without risk of breaking down. Price can also be a point to consider. As long as you take your time to find out all you need to know about buying a bike, you should be good to go. Don’t just buy the first bicycle that looks good—you could get stuck with a lemon!