There is no shortage of reasons for choosing to cycle. Some decide they want to cycle more now because the price of gas has risen so high, and because it costs so much to keep a car maintained. There are those who choose to cycle because they want to do their part in helping the environment.
And others still are riding simply because they love to ride. No matter the reason you want to find the perfect cycle for you, you should keep certain things in mind when you are ready to go shopping. If you really want to choose the perfect cycling bicycle, you need to think about more than just what it looks like. Outlined hereafter are some pointers you can take into consideration when going out to buy your bike.
One way to choose the bike that fits you is to sit on the bike and see if your feet will rest flat on the floor, in case you need to stop yourself. There are certain professionals, though, who disagree with this concept. It is their belief, that your time on your bicycle will be much more comfortable, if you allow your feet to remain several inches off the ground. 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. Also, if you find that your knees are bent when sitting on the bike, your knees are going to come up too high when you are pedaling your bike. You shouldn't ever sit the seat at the lowest setting, which means sitting on the crossbar. You want to adjust it up a few inches and take those inches into account when you are choosing your bike. You want to have the comfort of the seat being higher up than the crossbar on the bike, because if the seat is sitting on the crossbar, you will not be comfortable. 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.
Another essential element in a comfortable cycling experience is the angle of the seat(also known as the saddle). The seat is designed to be tilted any way you want it to. Some cyclists are more comfortable in a slightly forward position, and therefore, find a completely flat seat inappropriate for them. Adjust your seat so that this is possible. Choosing to ride with the seat flat, will likely make for a less accommodating cycling experience, as the narrow section of the seat will be bothersome when you lean forward. Several different factors play into how you are going to choose the right bicycle. Are you going to be using your bike every day or will you only be riding every so often? At what height do you feel the most comfortable? Would you rather be their explanation able to put your feet flat on the ground or would you rather have that few inches between your feet and the ground when you are sitting down? All of these factors will come into play as you make your choice.