Most people assume picking the right bike is an easy task. Simply finding the bike they like the look of is all there is to it, right? As long as it is comfortable that's all you need to worry about. This is wrong, the fact is there are more things to consider these days than there was a few years ago. Cycling is increasing in popularity each day, be it for fun or as a serious mode of transport, there are now more bikes to choose from than ever before. Some people are choosing to cycle as a means of transportation on a regular basis. There are also plenty of people and families who love riding as a hobby. The following will explain how you find the best bike to suit your needs.
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. For light use you can get a bike with traditional brakes, ones which simply squeeze the tires with small pads. If you are going to be using your bicycle more often or in heavy terrain, you will want brakes that additional reading are a little more hard core and complicated. These brakes are called 'disc brakes' and are located within the wheel, they are far more reliable than normal brakes and are less likely to fail over time. You shouldn't keep the bicycle seat at the lowest setting, either. 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 best way to adjust your seat to the correct height is to place your foot on the pedal at the lowest setting and bring the seat up as high as it can go so that your leg is almost fully extended.
Be certain to leave adequate room between yourself and your bikes crossbar. When choosing a bike move the seat so it is a couple of inches above the crossbar. Sit on it and make sure you can rest your feet flat to the ground. Different bikes will need differing clearance amounts. A good example is a touring bike, with these bikes you will only need around 1" difference. For mountain bikes you will require somewhere around 3 inches.
How well you fit physically with your bike is what is most important. This is the most important thing to consider when looking into using a bike to get around. You want to feel comfortable and safe as you travel from one point to another.