Knowing what to look for in your new bicycle is of paramount importance. Even for those people who are paid to ride, buying a new bike is hard. The fact of the matter is that getting a bike involves many different choices. If you know how and when you want to ride, where you are going to ride, how comfortable and safe you must be, and what you’d like to look like as you ride, you’ll have an easier time choosing your bike. How can you make a decision when there are so many different choices available, and new options being released every day? Simply apply this test as you go to get your new bike.
You must make sure you get a bike that is the appropriate size for you. Begin by measuring your inseam. Simply measure the distance from your groin to the bottom of your foot, down the inside of your leg. The goal is to be able to sit on the seat of the bike and still rest your feet flat on the ground. If you can do this you need not worry about stopping in an emergency if your brakes malfunction.
If you intend to get a road bike then take 9" away from your total inseam. This is due to the type of tires you will be using for a road bike. City riding is done with thin tires, designed to work perfectly with the smooth concrete roads and sidewalks you find in a city. 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. Mountain bike tires are thicker than road bike tires, designed for rocky terrain. You can always use a mountain bike for city cycling, although this is not how they are best used.
Be sure to allow room between the crossbar and yourself. When you get a bike be sure to move the seat up a couple of inches from the crossbar. Make certain you can still place both feet flatly on the ground. Which bike you get will greatly alter the clearance you will require. As an example, with a touring bike you will only require around 1". For mountain bikes you will require somewhere around 3 inches. Several different factors play into how you are going to choose the right bicycle. Will this be an activity that you enjoy daily, or will you only be taking your bicycle out on special occasions? Which height of bike is the most comfortable fit for you? Would you rather have room between your feet and the ground or would you rather be able to touch the ground with your feet when you come to a stop? You will need to consider special info each of these things when choosing your bicycle..