In the last couple of decades a major shift has been happening in transportation. Cars have long been the most likely mode of transport in developed countries, however bikes are beginning to rise in popularity. 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. Either way you will now find the roads filled with more cyclists than ever before. Have you been thinking about getting a bicycle? If so the following is some handy advice on what to look out for.
It is important to know how your bike comes to a stop. You need to make sure you understand how your brakes work and what kind of brakes you need your bike to have. If you are choosing a bicycle for sporadic hobby riding, you can get by with the brakes that are little more than pads that squeeze your tires to keep them from moving. For more hardcore cycling on tough terrain you may want some better 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. You shouldn't keep the bicycle seat at the lowest setting, either. You always want to change the position of the seat so that it is a few inches higher than normal, so keep this in mind when picking your bike. Adjusting your seat up a few inches will give you more clearance between you and the crossbar of your bicycle, which can add quite a bit of comfort to your ride. You want to be able to sit on the bike and place your foot on the pedal at the lowest position, and almost be able to fully extend your leg.
The angle of your seat (also called the saddle) is also important. Bicycles can be tilted in a number of ways. Most people find a published here seat that is flat to be a bit too uncomfortable, so they tilt it the way that feels the best. The seat allows you to make this adjustment to conform to your desired riding position. You could leave it as it is, but the narrow part of the seat might not allow you to rest comfortably in a forward leaning position.
The idea behind buying cycling bicycles is to make sure that you and the bicycle fit well together—physically. This is the most important thing to consider when looking into using a bike to get around. Comfort and safety are both very important.