There is a misconception that picking the right bike is easy. They have it in their minds that the only thing you need to do is choose the bike that looks the best and is a comfortable physical fit. The truth is that there is a lot more to finding the right bicycle these days than there used to be. Now that more and more people are starting to cycle, the options have risen to an almost head-spinning variety. It is popular in modern times to use a bike as a serious mode of transport. There are also plenty of people and families who love riding as a hobby. No matter why you are picking your bicycle, here are some ways to help you along.
The first thing to ensure is you get a bike that is the right size. To accomplish this you need know your inseam measurement. To do this, simply run a measuring tape up the inside of your leg from the bottom of your foot to your groin. Ideally you should be able to place both feet on the ground while on your bike. This is for safety more than anything else, if your brakes should fail you will not be able to easily stop the bike otherwise.
If you want to ride a road bike, you will need to subtract about nine inches from your inseam measurement. This is because of the size of the tires on your road bike. Road bikes are meant for city cycling—the tires are thinner and work best on concrete paving. With a mountain bike you will need to take away around one foot from the inseam. Again this is to account for the type of tires you will be using. Mountain bike tires are thicker than road bike tires, designed for rocky terrain. You can use mountain bikes for city cycling, but the opposite is not true and they are nowhere near as good on city streets as road bikes.
If the bike you are buying is for your child, then you are going to have to think of something completely different than outlined here. You will want to choose a bicycle that is sturdy with wide tires and easy to use brakes (most children’s brakes operate by moving the pedals backwards). When getting a bike for a my explanation kid the way it looks is also incredibly important, children like to look flashy, you will also want to find a well priced bike because your child will quickly outgrow it.
How well you fit physically with your bike is what is most important. When deciding upon using a bike for transportation you need to keep this in mind. You need to feel safe but also comfortable on your bike, otherwise you won't enjoy riding it!