There are several different reasons people choose to cycle as a mode of transportation. There are a lot of reasons to ride a bicycle that have nothing to do with your preferred method of getting places. Some people choose to cycle because they need the exercise. The thrill of competition draws other people to the sport of cycling. Still others ride bicycles as a hobby because they enjoy the feeling of riding a bicycle around their neighborhood. When deciding to purchase a cycling bicycle, there will be a number of elements that need to be taken into account, and this is true for those wishing to enjoy cycling as a hobby, sport, or a means of getting from point A to point B. This article provides some advice to help you along your way.
You want to first and foremost, ensure that you are able to come to a stop on your bicycle, and the key to that is selecting a bicycle that allows you to rest your feet flat on the ground, when you are sitting on the seat. There are some people that say this isn't the best way to choose, though. They state the best way to choose a bike is to leave a few inches between your feet and the ground so you can have a more comfortable ride. When buying a new bike, you will see the seat is placed extremely low to the crossbar, so when you sit on the bike with your feet on the ground and are able to bend your knees, you should pick a different bike. Also, if you find that your knees are bent when sitting on the bike, your knees are going to come up too high when you are pedaling your bike. You shouldn't keep the bicycle seat at the lowest setting, either. You always want to bring the seat up at least a few inches when you begin to ride, so keep this in mind when you are picking anonymous your bike. When you bring the seat up a few inches, you are going to have more room between the crossbar and you, and this will make for a much more comfortable ride. The goal here is to create a height with your seat so that when your pedal is at its lowest position your leg should be almost (but not quite) fully extended.
You also need to acquire some safety gear. Bicycles of then and bicycles of now are two completely different things. Not only do they look a little better now, they are also safer for you. You must always wear your helmet when you are riding your bike, no matter what. You'd be surprised at how many lives have been saved from that one simple thing.
If you are going to be taking your bike off road, then you need to also invest in some knee and elbow pads, as well as ankle and wrist guards. Another good idea is to buy some pants clips if you are going to be riding your bike as your primary form of transportation. These clips are designed to keep your pants from getting caught up in the gears and the chain.
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 want to feel comfortable and safe as you travel from one point to another.