Knowing what to look for in your new bicycle is of paramount importance. Even for those people who are paid to ride, buying a new bike is hard. Considering the various factors makes purchasing a bike tough. You need to think about safety, comfort, what the bike will be used for, how often the bicycle will be used, where the bicycle will be used and, if we’re being honest: style. Trying to keep yourself informed of all the new choices, as well those just about to be released, can make it really hard to finally choose the bike for you. Simply apply this test as you go to get your new bike.
It is important to know how your bike comes to a stop. Be sure you know how your brakes work and which type you will likely need. There are some bicycles that have breaks that are designed to grab onto the wheels and squeeze then in order to stop the motion, and this is great for a hobby rider. 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. For such cycling you should look to disc brakes, these are located within the wheel itself and are less likely to be weakened over time or worse, fail. You shouldn't keep the bicycle seat at the lowest setting, either. 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. When you bring the seat up a few inches, you are going to have more room between the crossbar and you, and this will make for a much more comfortable ride. The ideal seat height can be achieved, by ensuring that your leg is see this very close to completely extended, when your foot is at it's lowest position while on the pedal.
Don’t forget to buy your safety gear. There have been many advancements on bicycle helmets since they first were introduced. Not only do they look a little better now, they are also safer for you. You should never go for a ride without putting on your helmet first. 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 good idea is to buy some pants clips if you are going to be riding your bike as your primary form of transportation. They work by clipping your pants out of the way so they can't get tangled in the chain or gears.
There are lots of things to think about when you are buying a cycling bicycle. Your choices range from safety issues to those of fashion. If you feel like you are being deluged by choices, you are perfectly normal. Do your research and then you’ll feel better prepared to choose your new bike.
Look up some of your choices before you hit the store. The peace it will offer during shopping makes it very worthwhile.