It is common to assume picking the right bike is an easy task. Many people just think finding a bike that looks good and is comfortable is all there is to picking the right bike. The truth is that there is a lot more to finding the right bicycle these days than there used to be. Cycling is very popular at the moment, be it for sports, fun, transportation etc. With all these uses there are many different bikes to go with each. Using a bike as the main method of transport is quickly becoming popular. There are also plenty of families that cycle as a hobby. The following will explain how you find the best bike to suit your needs.
How your bike brakes is incredibly important. Brakes are very important on a bike, you need to understand how they work and what type you will most likely need for your bike. There are some bicycles that have breaks that are designed to grab onto the wheels and squeeze then in order to stop the motion, and this is great for a hobby rider. If you are going to be using your bicycle more often or in heavy terrain, you will want brakes that are a little more hard core and complicated. For such cycling you should look to disc brakes, these are located within the wheel itself and are less likely to be weakened over time or worse, fail.
Be cautious, however, and always be sure to test the bike out before you buy it. Don't just jump on and jump off though, take a nice little ride for at least a few minutes. Do you know of anyone that would buy a used car without taking it out for a test drive?
It's the same thing with a used bicycle. You really need to do this if you are going to spend a lot of money on the bicycle, and if you are going to ride the bicycle a lot. You need to make sure the bike is a perfect fit. There shouldn't be a problem in making the decision on whether or not the bike is the right size for you, but you should also keep in mind that it needs to fit your riding style as well. You wouldn't want to spend your hard earned money on something that isn't comfortable, would you?
Another aspect go you need to think about is the angle of the seat. Bicycles can be tilted in a number of ways. Most find that a flat seat can prove to be extremely uncomfortable, so they adjust it to their preference. Adjust your seat so that this is possible. You can always leave the seat in the position it is in, but you will most likely find it to be very uncomfortable to ride.
How well you fit physically with your bike is what is most important. When deciding upon using a bike for transportation you need to keep this in mind. Comfort and safety are both very important.