There are lots of reasons to choose a bicycle as your primary means of transportation. Just because you are riding a bicycle from one point to another doesn't mean it's your preferred way to travel. Lots of people go cycling as a form of exercise. The thrill of competition draws other people to the sport of cycling. And some people decide that they want to take up cycling as a hobby with their family and friends. When deciding to purchase a cycling bicycle, there will be a number of elements that need to be taken into account, and this is true for those wishing to enjoy cycling as a hobby, sport, or a means of getting from point A to point B. These tips are intended to help you along your way.
You want to first and foremost, ensure that you are able to come to a stop on your bicycle, and the key to that is selecting a bicycle that allows you to rest your feet flat on the ground, when you are sitting on the seat. Some experts, however, say that this is not a good idea. These experts say in order to have the best cycling experience you can, you should allow for a few inches between the ground and your feet. When buying a new bike, you will see the seat is placed extremely low to the crossbar, so when you sit on the bike with your feet on the ground and are able to bend your knees, you should pick a different bike. If this is happening, when you start to pedal the bike then your knees are going to come up too high. You shouldn't keep the bicycle seat at the lowest setting, either. Always consider that you are going to have to raise the seat up off the crossbar when you are shopping for your bike. The added space between you and the crossbar, afforded by raising the seat slightly, will make a positive impact on your level of comfort. 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.
Never leave out the safety gear, either. Bicycle helmets have come a long way since they were first introduced. Now they offer better protection while being a little bit more stylish. 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 invest in some knee pads and elbow pads, as well as wrist and ankle guards if you plan to do some off-roading. If you plan to use your bike as a sole means of transportation, buy yourself some pants clips. These are clips that keep your pants legs up and out of the way of your gears and chain. When you are searching for the appropriate cycling bicycle to suit you, there are a number of factors to consider. Are you going to be using your bike every day or will you only be riding every so often? What seat height gives you the most comfortable ride? Would you rather have room between your feet and the ground or would you rather be able to touch the ground with your feet when you come to a stop? You will want to answer all of these important questions, as you make your wikipedia reference bicycle selection.