Popular methods of transport have altered in recent times. While the majority of people in the western world seemed most interested in travelling via automobile, in the last couple of decades many people have been choosing the bicycle as their primary mode of transportation. Perhaps the trend can be put down to 'green' thinking, or maybe just the prices of gas are starting to get to people. Whatever the reason, there are more cyclists on the road than ever. Maybe you have considered buying a bike? If so the following is some handy advice on what to look out for.
One thing you can consider when choosing a bike is whether or not your feet can rest flat on the floor while you are sitting so you can stop yourself. Some experts, however, say that this is not a good idea. They state the best way to choose a bike is to leave a few inches between your feet and the ground so you can have a more comfortable ride. You will likely find that the seat will rest too near the crossbar, if, when you sit on the seat, your knees are bent with your feet flat on the ground, which is an indication that the seat needs to be raised. Your knees will cause interference as you are pedaling, because they will come up higher than they should, which is a result of your knees being bent when you are at rest with your feet down. Some individuals may be surprised at the recommendation that the seat not be adjusted to the lowest setting available, which causes it to contact 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. 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 goal here is to create a height with your seat so that when your pedal is at its lowest position your leg should be almost (but not quite) fully extended.
It is important you allow for room between you and the crossbar. When browsing for a bike try some out, make sure the seat is a few inches above the crossbar. Make certain you can still place both feet flatly on the ground. Each type of bike will require differing clearance amounts. A good example is a touring bike, with these bikes you will only need around 1" difference. With a mountain bike however you will need some more, 3 inches should suffice.
There are many different things you should consider when the time comes to buy the perfect bicycle for yourself. It check my site can be a bit tedious and frustrating to try and figure out what all you need when you are buying a bicycle. If you will not jump into things and try and educate yourself on what you need, you will be pleased with the results.