There are several different reasons people choose to cycle as a mode of transportation. You may not even choose to ride a bicycle as a means of transportation at all. Some people have decided to take up cycling as a way to exercise. Some people cycle as a competitive sport. Another group of individuals take pleasure in a simple, relaxed ride through their neighborhood. Regardless of why you are taking up cycling, you are going to have to consider a variety of things when choosing the bicycle that is a perfect fit for you. This article provides some advice to help you along your way.
You need to make sure you pick a bike that is the right size. The measurement of your inseam is needed for this. Your inseam is the amount of inches from the bottom of your foot, up the inside of your leg to your groin. You should be able to sit on your bike while keeping both feet flat on the ground. This means that you will be able to stop your bicycle with your feet if the brakes do not work—without having to tilt the bicycle and risk doing harm to it and to yourself. You shouldn't ever sit the seat at the lowest setting, which means sitting on the crossbar. You always want to change the position of the seat so that it is a few inches higher than normal, so keep this in mind when picking your bike. The added space between you and the crossbar, afforded by raising the seat slightly, will make a positive impact on your level of comfort. The ideal seat height can be achieved, by ensuring that your leg is very close to completely extended, when your foot is at it's lowest position while on the pedal.
Be certain to leave adequate room between yourself and your bikes crossbar. When browsing for a bike try some out, make sure the seat is a few inches above the crossbar. You should be able to still rest your feet flat on the floor. You will want to leave different clearance lengths depending on the type of bicycle you Your Domain Name are buying. A touring bike for example will require around 1", perhaps slightly more. With a mountain bike however you will need some more, 3 inches should suffice. There are many different factors to take into account when finding the right bicycle. Will this be an activity that you enjoy daily, or will you only be taking your bicycle out on special occasions? At what height do you feel the most comfortable? Are you a person who would rather your feet be flat on the ground when you are sitting or would you rather have a little room between your feet and the ground? These are some of the things you need to consider when choosing your bike.