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. Perhaps this because the last couple of decades have seen a major shift in the popularity of “living green.†Maybe it is because the cost of gas is just too high. The fact is there are plenty more cyclists on the road now than there were just a few years ago. Maybe you have been pondering purchasing a bike? If you have been thinking about using a bike as your main mode of transportation, or just thinking about getting one for fun, there are a few things you need to think about.
We’d be lying if we tried to tell you that fashion shouldn’t play into your choice. The fact is that we all have color and style preferences. Your new bike should reflect your favorites. Looking good will be a great benefit of getting your new bike, but don’t let fashion choices be the guiding decisions factors. Evaluating your choices according to safety and comfort will be the best first step. When you’ve assembled some bikes that are both comfortable and safe, then look to see which you like the looks of better. What kind of handlebars you want on your bike is also a big choice. You may think all handlebars are the same, but they're not. Those handlebars which extend horizontally out offer great control for maneuvering. They are also better for distributing your body weight over a larger area. For racing however you will want special handlebars, ones which are thinner and are positioned in such a way you can lean over them as you cycle. This is to lower wind resistance and will allow you to go faster. For people who rarely use their bike they will want handlebars which allow the bike to be stored away efficiently, but which also offer some level of comfort when cycling.
How many gears will you use on a regular basis? Traveling through flat areas requires far less gears than riding in a mountainous area. A bike isn’t better just because it has more gears than another. You read this article may never even get around to using all the available gears. Don’t spend money on something you won’t use. Of course, if your cycling bicycle is going to be your primary mode of transportation you might need to make sure you have enough gears to handle rough situations.
When you get a bike your main goal should be to find one that physically suits you. Selecting a bike with a good fit for you is of the utmost importance, when using a bike as the main way to get from A to B. Safety is important when on a bike but do not overlook comfort, otherwise those long rides will soon grow tiresome.