There are lots of reasons to take up cycling. There are many that decide to ride bicycles because they are able to save a ton of money on both the price of gas and maintenance costs. Some are 'going green' and taking an active part in trying to help our environment by choosing to ride a bike over a car.
And others still are riding simply because they love to ride. No matter what the reason is for choosing a bicycle, there are some things you should keep in mind before you decide. You will be surprised at how much more there is to a bicycle than just the looks. Outlined hereafter are some pointers you can take into consideration when going out to buy your bike.
How your cycling bicycle stops is very 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. However if you use your bike regularly and on serious terrain you should go with more sturdy brakes. Disc brakes sit within the wheels themselves and work are less likely to give out under stress.
Before you buy any bicycle, you are going to want to take it for a test ride. Take it around the block if you can to make sure that it's worth the money and it's right for you. This makes perfect sense because you know you'd never buy a car without test driving it first.
It's the same thing with a used bicycle. This is especially important if you are going to be spending large sums of money for a bicycle that you are going to be riding a lot. You need to make sure the bike is going to 'fit' you. Physical fit is easy to determine, but you also need to find a bike that “fits†your riding style. You wouldn't want to waste money on a bicycle you don't enjoy riding.
If the bike you are buying is for your child, then you are going to have to think of something completely different than outlined here. You will want to choose a bicycle that is sturdy with wide tires and easy to use brakes (most children’s brakes operate by moving the pedals backwards). Style usually is also a factor in children’s bikes as is price because a bicycle can quickly become too small for your son or daughter to ride comfortably.
Your main priority is the physical fit of your bike. 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 article bike.