In the last couple of decades a major shift has been happening in transportation. 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. It could be down to efforts to remain green, perhaps people want to save money on high gas prices, or maybe many people just want to get in shape! The fact is there are plenty more cyclists on the road now than there were just a few years ago. Maybe you have considered buying a bike? If you have then there are several things you should look at when you do.
You need to make sure you pick a bike that is the right size. For this you must calculate your inseam. Simply measure the distance from your groin to the bottom of your foot, down the inside of your leg. When you get a bike you should be able to lay both feet flat to the ground if need be. This means that you will be able to stop your bicycle with your feet if the brakes do not work—without having to tilt the bicycle and risk doing harm to it and to yourself.
For road bikes take away 9 inches from the total of your inseam. This is to account for the size of tires you will use on a road bike. Designed for cycling around the city road bike tires are thin. For a mountain bike you will need to take 12" away from your total inseam. This is because the tires of a mountain bike are different than those on a road bike. These tires are designed to handle rocky and jagged terrain so are therefore thicker. You can use mountain bikes for city cycling, but the opposite is not true and they are nowhere near as good on city streets as road bikes.
Bikes bought for children have their own set of criteria to contemplate. Durable bikes are best, with wide tires to add stability and brakes that are easy to use. You will definitely have to consider how the find here bike looks when shopping for a child and you will want to find a well priced bike because children grow so fast.
How well you fit physically with your bike is what is most important. If you intend to use your bike a lot, perhaps as your main method of transport, it is important you keep this in mind. Comfort and saftey are the two most important aspects of riding a bike.