There are many people who decide to cycle as a way to get from one place to another. There are many different reasons to cycle, and some have nothing to do with being a preferred method of getting to point A to point B. Lots of people go cycling as a form of exercise. The thrill of competition draws other people to the sport of cycling. 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.
The first thing you should think about, which is pretty obvious, needs to be the cost. Of course you are going to need to think about how much you will ride your bike as well as where you are going to be riding it, but cost is one of the most important things.
You can find bicycles that range in price from hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars. Don’t worry if you do not have this much money available, there are lots of ways to cut down on the amount of money you will spend on your bicycle. Auctions are one of the best places to find a great bike that will be fairly inexpensive and still have everything you need.
If you intend to get a road bike then take 9" away from your total inseam. This is to account for the size of tires you will use on a road bike. These tires will be thinner and designed for efficiency on concrete roads or pavements. You will want to subtract 12" for a mountain bike. Again this is to account for the size of tires. They are next page thicker and meant for a rockier terrain. You can of course use a mountain bike for road cycling but this isn't supposed to be their primary use.
You should already have your safety gear bought and ready to go. There have been many advancements on bicycle helmets since they first were introduced. They are now designed to offer better protection while looking a bit better, as well. It is important that you never ride your bicycle without also wearing your helmet. You'd be surprised at how many lives have been saved from that one simple thing.
It wouldn't hurt to invest in some knee pads and elbow pads, as well as wrist and ankle guards if you plan to do some off-roading. 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. They work by clipping your pants out of the way so they can't get tangled in the chain or gears.
As you can see, there are several things you should keep in mind when you decide on a bicycle that's right for you. There are tons of varieties of bicycles, as well as innumerable amounts of accessories available to you, so sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming. Don't become discouraged; map out what you need for your bike and you'll be on your way in no time.