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. They're not exactly right about that, though, because there are more things that need to be considered when choosing the perfect cycling bicycle. With cycling becoming more popular in almost every area of life (transportation, lifestyle, sports, hobbies) there are more bicycles than ever to choose from. Some people are choosing to cycle as a means of transportation on a regular basis. There are also plenty of families that cycle as a hobby. No matter why you are picking your bicycle, here are some ways to help you along.
The basic key to choosing a bicycle is to buy a bicycle that you can sit on and rest your feet flat on the floor so that you can stop yourself. There are those who say that this isn't the best way, though. 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 on the ground and your knees are bent when you sit on the seat of the bike, it generally means that the seat is sitting too low for you and too close to the crossbar. Also, if you find that your knees are bent when sitting on the bike, your knees are going to come up too high when you are pedaling your bike.
If you intend to get a road bike then take 9" dig this away from your total inseam. This is to account for the size of tires you will use on 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. Again this is to account for the size of tires. Mountain bike tires are thicker than road bike tires, designed for rocky terrain. Mountain bikes can travel on city pavement but that is not what they are designed to do.
Which angle you tilt your seat at is also an important factor. You can tilt the seat any way you want it. Most find that a flat seat can prove to be extremely uncomfortable, so they adjust it to their preference. Continue to adjust your seat until it feels the best for you. 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.
You will see there are many things you should consider when you are finding the bike that's right for you. There are tons of varieties of bicycles, as well as innumerable amounts of accessories available to you, so sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming. If you will not jump into things and try and educate yourself on what you need, you will be pleased with the results.