There's no shortage of reasons why people are taking up cycling. Some decide they want to cycle more now because the price of gas has risen so high, and because it costs so much to keep a car maintained. Some decide to cycle because they want to have less of an impact on the environment when traveling.
And there are other riders who love to do it because it's fun. If you fall into these categories or are in one of your own and you are shopping for a new bike, take the time to read up on some of the things you should know before buying. There is more to choosing the right cycling bicycle than the colors used to paint it! Outlined hereafter are some pointers you can take into consideration when going out to buy your bike.
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. There are experts who state that this isn't a good way to choose a bike, however. They say that it is better to give yourself a few inches between your feet and the ground to create a more comfortable cycling experience. If your feet are sitting flat on the ground while your butt is on the seat, this usually means that the seat is too close to the crossbar and will need to be adjusted for comfort. If you can bend your knees, your knees will come up too high when you are pedaling. Your bicycle seat should not be at the lowest setting, which is sitting atop the crossbar. You always want to bring the seat up at least a few inches when you begin to ride, so keep this in mind when you are picking your bike. Adjusting your seat up a few inches will give you more clearance between you and the crossbar of your bicycle, which can add quite a bit of comfort to your ride. The best way to adjust your seat to the correct height is to place your foot on the pedal at the lowest setting and bring the seat up as high as it can go so that your leg is almost fully extended.
Be sure to allow room between the crossbar and yourself. When browsing for a bike try some out, make sure the seat is a few inches above the crossbar. Make sure you can place both feet on the ground if need be. Each type of bike will require differing clearance amounts. A touring bike for example will require around 1", perhaps slightly more. For mountain bikes you will require somewhere around 3 inches. You need to consider several things when choosing your bicycle for the first time. Are you going to be riding your bicycle every day or riding it only when you feel the urge find this to? Which height of bike is the most comfortable fit for you? 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 need to consider each of these things when choosing your bicycle..