What to Know Before Buying Your Bike

Bicycles have come a long way in the last decade or so and figuring out what you want from a bike has become one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make right from the start. If the last time you were on a bike was back when banana-seats and hi-riser handlebars were all the rage, then jumping on one of the newer high-gear racing bikes probably won’t be as much fun as you remember it being. It’s important that the bike you get matches the amount and style of bike riding you plan on doing.

If the only riding you plan on doing is taking a tour of the park paths with the family one weekend out of every month, then buying a $1,200 racing bike isn’t what you should be doing. If you’re more into taking the back trails on your own and going where your spirit takes you without a real plan for taking only the best paths and roads, then a capable mountain bike will probably be your best choice. It all depends on the type and amount of bike riding you’re planning on doing. Bikes are (basically) tools that we use to get from one place to another. Whether those places are just down the street or over hill and dale will help you decide which bike is best for you.

An Excellent Way to Get in Shape

Most people today are buying bikes to help get them back into the physical shape they enjoyed in their younger years. As a form of exercise, what better way is there to get fit while having quality time with your family than to get on a bike and get outdoors? More and more families are discovering the healthy and fun activities they can enjoy while traveling on bicycles. It’s important to remember that bike riding shouldn’t be uncomfortable. If you find that after riding your bicycle your back and bottom are sore, than maybe a racing bike isn’t what you should be using for those leisurely jaunts with the family. Cruiser bicycles are made more for the touring rider with handlebars that are set higher within easy reach of the rider for more comfort. The seats are also usually much softer and wider than racing bikes, which means a great deal if you’re going to be on longer trips (over bumpier lanes). Many people often end up choosing softer seats if they’re planning on taking a lot of longer tours with their new bikes.

When shopping for a bike always remember to try them on for size. Frame sizes can make a great deal of difference to the comfort and safety of your bike ride. Bikes that are too large and unwieldy for you will make your ride uncomfortable and may make stopping your bike dangerous – especially in traffic – if you can’t get your feet on the ground quick enough. But having a bike that is too small for your frame will make you uncomfortable very quickly with your knees getting in the way while you’re pedaling and the seat and height being set too low. This is why it’s important to actually sit (and stand) with each bike before you buy it. The right combination of seat and handlebar height - as well as wheel diameter – will help to make your bike choice one that you can easily work with. When you stand with a bike between your legs, the crossbar of the frame should be at least an inch or two below your crotch. This will insure that when you stop the bike, you can easily and quickly have both feet solidly on the ground.

You should also try to schedule a test ride of any bike you’re thinking of buying. This may not always be possible when buying from department stores or from stores online, but at least make sure that your purchase price can be refunded if the bike isn’t right for you. This is when buying from a reputable bike shop is preferable. Bike shops have qualified and helpful personnel who will help you make the right choice of bike for the style and amount of riding you’ll be doing. They’ll also be able to make the proper adjustments in the seat and handlebar heights to help make your bicycle choice one that you’ll enjoy for a long time to come.