The preferred mode of transport has taken an unlikely turn in recent years. Cars were the king of the road, however we can now see a growing trend in the popularity of cycling as a main method of transport. 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. The fact is there are plenty more cyclists on the road now than there were just a few years ago. Maybe you have considered buying a bike? If you have then there are several things you should look at when you do.
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. There are some bicycles that have breaks that are designed to grab onto the wheels and squeeze then in order to stop the motion, and this is great for a hobby rider. For more hardcore cycling on tough terrain you may want some better brakes. Disc brakes sit within the wheels themselves and work are less likely to give out under stress. You shouldn't ever sit the seat at the lowest setting, which means sitting on the crossbar. You want to adjust it up a few inches and take those inches into account when you are choosing your bike. You want to have the comfort of the seat being higher up than the crossbar on the bike, because if the seat is sitting on the crossbar, you will not be comfortable. The ideal seat height can be achieved, by ensuring that your leg is very close to redirected here completely extended, when your foot is at it's lowest position while on the pedal.
You also need to acquire some safety gear. Bicycle helmets have come a long way since they were first 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. This little thing can mean the difference between life and death.
It wouldn't hurt to also get some elbow and knee pads, and some wrist and ankle guards if you are going to take your bike off-road. 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. Pants clips are designed to hold your pants in place so they don't get caught up in the chain or the gears of the bike.
When looking for a bike your main goal is to find one that suits you physically. This is the most important thing to consider when looking into using a bike to get around. Safety is important when on a bike but do not overlook comfort, otherwise those long rides will soon grow tiresome.