Many people have found reason in taking up cycling. Some folks are having a hard time keeping up with the rising cost of gasoline and maintenance bills, so they choose to ride a bike. There are those who choose to cycle because they want to do their part in helping the environment.
And others still are riding simply because they love to ride. No matter your reason for choosing to take up cycling, you need to know some important things before you decide on your first bicycle. Choosing the right bicycle is more than just picking the one that's the best looking. Outlined hereafter are some pointers you can take into consideration when going out to buy your bike.
Consider how the bicycle brakes, for one. Be sure you know how your brakes work and which type you will likely need. Those who do not use their bikes very regularly will be happy with normal brakes, those which simply squeeze the tire with two small pads to slow the bike down. If you are going to be using your bicycle more often or in heavy terrain, you will want brakes that are a little more hard core and complicated. These brakes are called 'disc brakes' and are located within the wheel, they are far more reliable than normal brakes and are less go likely to fail over time.
Will you need more bells and whistles for your bike to function optimally? If you are using your bicycle as your primary form of transportation you might want to consider whether you will need things like baskets to help you transport goods. Will you need to transport a child? Needing a child seat attachment will alter which bikes you can choose from. Have you ever considered pulling anything behind your bike? Your new bike needs to support the weight of the trailer if this is your plan.
The number of gears you’ll use will also affect your choice. If you are going to be travelling in relatively flat places, you will not need as many gears as you would need in rockier terrain or a terrain with lots of hills. Just because a bike has more gears doesn't make it better. You may never have cause to use all the gears. It’s a waste of money to pay for all those unused gears. 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.
The options and technologies available for biking are overwhelming as you search for a new bicycle. Your choices range from safety issues to those of fashion. If you don’t have a lot of experience with cycling bicycles, you will probably feel overwhelmed and insecure as you start your shopping. You can rest assured that by doing minimal research into your options, you’ll make the perfect decision for you.
Look up some of your choices before you hit the store. It will pay off in the end.