There is a misconception that picking the right bike is easy. Many people just think finding a bike that looks good and is comfortable is all there is to picking the right bike. Wrong, there is more to it these days than simply looks and comfort. Now that more and more people are starting to cycle, the options have risen to an almost head-spinning variety. Today more people are choosing to ride a bicycle as their primary forms of transportation. There are also plenty of families that cycle as a hobby. The following will explain how you choose the best bike for whatever it is you aim to use it for.
The brakes on your bike are of utmost importance. It is vital you understand how your brakes work and what brakes will be best suited for your style of cycling. If you only want a bike to use occasionally as a hobby, you can go with normal brakes which are just small pads designed to clasp the wheel when used. If you decide you want your bike for more off-roading adventures, you need a different kind of braking system that can keep up with that particular style. These disk brakes are perfect for serious bike use, they sit inside the wheel and will be able to handle heavy use without malfunction.
Don't ever make the purchase until you have tried the bicycle out. Don't just jump on and jump off though, take a nice little ride for at least a few minutes. This makes perfect sense because you know you'd never buy a car without test driving it first.
So you should use this same frame of mind when buying your bike. It's even more important for you to do if you plan on spending a significant amount of money on it and will be using it a lot. You want to find a bike that fits you. There shouldn't be a problem i thought about this in making the decision on whether or not the bike is the right size for you, but you should also keep in mind that it needs to fit your riding style as well. You don't want make an investment on a bike that isn't going to feel good to ride.
It is important that you allow adequate room between you and the crossbar. When choosing a bike move the seat so it is a couple of inches above the crossbar. Sit on it and make sure you can rest your feet flat to the ground. Each type of bike requires different clearances. As an example, with a touring bike you will only require around 1". For mountain bikes you will require somewhere around 3 inches.
You should keep these things in mind when you go out and buy a bicycle, especially if you want to find the one that is right for you. It can become a bit overwhelming when going shopping for a bike and accessories because there is just so much to choose from. If you will not jump into things and try and educate yourself on what you need, you will be pleased with the results.