The choice to utilize a bicycle as your main mode of transportation, is beneficial for a number of reasons. There are a lot of reasons to ride a bicycle that have nothing to do with your preferred method of getting places. Some people choose to cycle because they need the exercise. Others go cycling because they compete in it as a sport. And there are others who decide to take up cycling as a hobby to share with their family or friends. Whatever the reason you have for wanting a cycling bicycle, there are a lot of different things to consider when you are trying to decide which cycling bicycle is right for you. Try these tips out to see if they can be of help.
The brakes on your bike are of utmost importance. Brakes are very important on a bike, you need to understand how they work and what type you will most likely need for your bike. If you are choosing a bicycle for sporadic hobby riding, you can get by with the brakes that are little more than pads that squeeze your tires to keep them from moving. For more hardcore cycling on tough terrain you may want some better brakes. 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. Believe it or not, your bicycle seat should not sit at its lowest setting, resting against the crossbar. You always want to change the position of the seat so that it is a few inches higher than normal, so keep this in mind when 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. 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. There have been many advancements on bicycle helmets since they first were introduced. They are now designed to offer better protection while looking a bit better, as well. You should never, ever ride your bicycle unless you are wearing your helmet. You'd be surprised at how many lives have been saved from that one simple thing.
It wouldn't hurt to also grab some elbow and moved here knee guards, as well as ankle and wrist guards, just in case you decide to take your bike off the road. If you are going to be using your bicycle as your sole means of transportation, you should think of investing in some pants clips as well. These things are little clips that clip the pants leg up so they don't get tangled in the chain or the gears.
Your main priority is the physical fit of your bike. That is the primary goal of anyone who chooses cycling as their primary form of transportation. You need to feel safe but also comfortable on your bike, otherwise you won't enjoy riding it!