Many differing options are available to you as you look to purchase a bicycle. Even for those people who are paid to ride, buying a new bike is hard. Because there are so many choices, it is hard to buy a new bike. Imagine the future: how safe, comfy and stylish do you need the bike to be. How far will you ride and where will you be riding? All the existing options make it hard to make a choice; this choice is made more difficult by all the emerging technologies. Here are some of the criteria you should use when you are buying your next cycling bicycle.
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. When choosing your bike you shouldn't ignore them. Obviously, the style and fashion elements of the bicycle should not be your top priority (unless the bicycle is just for show). You really need to look at safety and comfort issues before any others. After finding bikes that are both safe and comfy, then you can see which ones look the best to you. Believe it or not, your bicycle seat should not sit at its lowest setting, resting against the crossbar. 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. 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 best way to adjust is this way, place your foot on the pedal at the lowest setting, then extend your leg almost fully, and adjust your seat to accommodate.
Another thing to keep in mind is purchasing safety gear. The new bicycle helmets look and feel nothing like the old bicycle helmets. They are now designed to offer better protection while looking a bit better, as well. You should never even think about riding the bike without first putting on your helmet. You never know when that little detail is going to save you from an early grave.
You might also consider investing in elbow, knee, wrist and ankle guards—especially if you are going to be going “off road†on your bicycle. 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. These clips are designed to keep your pants from getting caught up in the gears and see the chain.
So many options are available to you as you shop for a new bike. From fashion to safety, you have a multitude of choices to make. It’s perfectly normal for you to feel a little overwhelmed and perhaps a little perplexed when starting out. The good news is that, with a little research, you can make a very informed decision about which bicycle is best for you.
Before heading out to the store, learn a little bit about the available choices. It’s the best answer for easier shopping.