There are lots of reasons to choose a bicycle as your primary means of transportation. Many of these reasons are not at all related with how you like to travel. Lots of people go cycling as a form of exercise. Some people cycle as a competitive sport. And some people decide that they want to take up cycling as a hobby with their family and friends. When deciding to purchase a cycling bicycle, there will be a number of elements that need to be taken into account, and this is true for those wishing to enjoy cycling as a hobby, sport, or a means of getting from point A to point B. Try these tips out to see if they can be of help.
How your bike brakes is incredibly important. You have to think about what you are most comfortable with along the lines of stopping your bicycle. 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. For those who use their bike for serious riding and over heavy terrain better brakes may be needed. These disk brakes are perfect for serious bike use, they sit inside the wheel and will be able to handle heavy use without malfunction. Which handlebars to go with is also a serious decision. Not all handlebars are the same. Those handlebars which extend horizontally out offer great control for maneuvering. These handlebars will also distribute your weight over a big area. If you are using your bike for racing, then you want to pick some handlebars that are more slim and allow you find this to lean forward on your bike so you can go faster. If you aren't using your bike constantly, the best thing to choose is something that is simply comfortable and allows you to store your bike easily when it isn't in use.
Don’t forget to buy your safety gear. Bicycle helmets have come a long way since they were first introduced. Now they offer better protection while being a little bit more stylish. 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 get some elbow and knee pads, and some wrist and ankle guards if you are going to take your bike off-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.
When looking for a bike your main goal is to find one that suits you physically. Selecting a bike with a good fit for you is of the utmost importance, when using a bike as the main way to get from A to B. You want to feel comfortable and safe as you travel from one point to another.