We have seen a change in transportation recently. 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 could be because down to the prices of gas and running a car, or perhaps people are deciding to care more for the planet. No matter what has caused it, the fact is there are now more cyclists on the road than in a long while. Have you been tempted to use a bike for your everyday transport needs? If this is the case it is important you know what to look for, the following tips will help you in your quest to find a suitable bike.
How your bike brakes is incredibly important. You need to make sure you understand how your brakes work and what kind of brakes you need your bike to have. If you only want a bike to use occasionally as a hobby, you can go with normal brakes which are just small pads designed to clasp the wheel when used. However if you use your bike regularly and on serious terrain you should go with more sturdy brakes. These brakes are called 'disc brakes' and are located within the wheel, they are far more reliable than normal brakes and are less likely to fail over time.
For road bikes take away 9 inches from the total of your inseam. The size of the tires a road bike uses are the reason for this. Designed to work best on concrete pavements, road bikes are best suited to cycling around the city. With a mountain bike you will need to take away around one foot from the inseam. This is because the tires of a mountain bike are different than those on a road bike. You will find them to be much bigger and designed to handle rocky terrain. You can always use a mountain bike for city cycling, although this is not how they are best used.
You also need to acquire some safety gear. The new bicycle helmets look and feel nothing like the old bicycle helmets. Now they offer better protection while being a little bit more stylish. You must always wear your helmet when you are riding your bike, no matter what. You don't even anonymous realize how important this thing can be in saving your life.
You might also consider investing in elbow, knee, wrist and ankle guards—especially if you are going to be going “off road†on your bicycle. Another piece of safety equipment that you should think about getting are pants clips, especially if you are going to be using your bike as a primary mode of transportation. These things are little clips that clip the pants leg up so they don't get tangled in the chain or the gears. You have many things to consider when getting a bicycle. You may want an incredibly durable bike that can handle being thrown around a bit. You may simply what the most reliable bike for getting you around the city. Price can also really affect your decisions. Research bikes before you decide which you want, then shop around before purchasing. Buying the first bike you find is not advised, in doing this you could end up with a terrible bike and miss out on one that is perfect for you.