In the last couple of decades a major shift has been happening in transportation. 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. 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! Either way you will now find the roads filled with more cyclists than ever before. Have you been thinking about getting a bicycle? If you have then there are several things you should look at when you do.
Fashion really does affect the choice you make when purchasing a new bike. We all like one color or style more than another. When choosing your bike you shouldn't ignore them. Obviously, the style and fashion elements of the bicycle should not be your top priority (unless the bicycle is just for show). You really need to look at safety and comfort issues before any others. After ensuring both safety and comfort, see which ones you like the actual design of best.
If you want to ride a road bike, you will need to subtract about nine inches from your inseam measurement. This is to account for the size of tires you will use on a road bike. Designed for cycling around the city road bike tires are thin. For a mountain bike you will need to take 12" away from your total inseam. The tires on a mountain bike are not the same as a road bike. Mountain bike tires are thicker than road bike tires, designed for rocky terrain. You can of course use a mountain bike for road cycling but this isn't supposed to be their primary use.
Ask yourself the number of gears necessary for your bike. Choose according to how you’ll ride; mountainous areas require more useful reference gears than flat land areas do. Just because a bike has more gears doesn't make it better. You may never have cause to use all the gears. Why spend extra money paying for something that you don’t need? Of course, if your cycling bicycle is going to be your primary mode of transportation you might need to make sure you have enough gears to handle rough situations. 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. You may simply what the most reliable bike for getting you around the city. Price can also be a point to consider. Be sure to shop around before taking the final decision and parting with your cash. Do some research and steer clear of buying the first bike you come across.