Knowing what to look for in your new bicycle is of paramount importance. Finding their next bike is hard for even those folks who are paid to ride. All the varieties and options make it really hard to buy a new bike. Planning ahead for things like bike use, safety and comfort, as well as where it will be ridden, and what it looks like, will help you make a better decision. Trying to keep yourself informed of all the new choices, as well those just about to be released, can make it really hard to finally choose the bike for you. Opting for the correct bike for you is as easy as using these simple criteria.
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. Some experts, however, say that this is not a good idea. 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. If your feet are sitting flat on the ground while your butt is on the seat, this usually means that the seat is too close to the crossbar and will need to be adjusted for comfort. This is because when you are pedaling with this bike, your knees are going to come up too high. You shouldn't ever sit the seat at the lowest setting, which means sitting on the crossbar. Be sure to consider these few necessary inches between the seat and the crossbar, when you are out bicycle shopping. Adjusting your seat up a few inches will give you more clearance between you and the crossbar of your bicycle, which can add quite a bit of comfort to your ride. The best way to adjust is this way, place your foot on the pedal at the lowest setting, then extend your leg almost fully, and adjust your seat to accommodate.
Never leave out the safety gear, either. Bicycle helmets have come a long way since they were first introduced. Now they offer better protection while being a little bit more stylish. You should never go for a ride without putting on your helmet first. Sometimes that fraction of padding really can save your life!
If you are going to be taking your bike off road, then you need to also invest in some knee and elbow pads, as well as ankle and wrist guards. If you are going to be using your bicycle as your sole means of transportation, you should think of investing in some pants clips as well. Pants clips are designed to hold your pants official statement in place so they don't get caught up in the chain or the gears of the bike.
Your main priority is the physical fit of your bike. When deciding upon using a bike for transportation you need to keep this in mind. You need to feel safe but also comfortable on your bike, otherwise you won't enjoy riding it!