Buying a bikeIf
you are ready for cycling, the first step is to buy a bike. Be prepared. This is an
expensive sport.
Volumes have been written about buying bicycles. You might start by visiting
your favorite book store and buying one or two good books.
Remember that your goal is to form a smoothly functioning unit with your bike.
You want to choose the strongest, lightest bike that is suited for the type of
ride you desire, at a price you can afford. It is less expensive to buy a more expensive
bike now than it is to buy a budget bike and upgrade later. Still, we all have budgets.
The frame is the most important part of the purchase. A heavier frame will not handle as
well.
Spend lots of time at bike shops asking questions and studying the options.
Communicate with the salesman who is helping you buy.
Some experts recommend that men and women buy a man's bicycle because it is
sturdier and sometimes has a better braking system.
Make certain you are buying the proper bike. Don't buy a road bike if you plan
to ride it on the trail.
Know which stores carry the brands that interest you so you can comparison
shop.
Safety and comfort dictate that you buy a bike that fits you. A road bike
should have about one inch clearance from the tube to your groin. A mountain bike should
have about five inches. Also check the proper reach to the handlebars by placing your
elbow at the tip of the saddle. Your fingertips should just touch as you grab the bars.
Test ride the bike. In fact, test ride several bikes before you make a
decision.
Test a few seats, too. The seat should be flexible enough to absorb the impact
of bumps and the pressure of your own pelvic bones. Yet, a seat should be firm, also.
Gel-filled saddles are popular with riders because they do not require
"breaking-in" like leather saddles do.
Leave your money at home so you can resist the lure of near-instant purchases.
When you are ready, buy from a reputable bike shop. If a bike is not assembled,
tested, and adjusted by professionals, you are courting disaster.
Choosing
Accessories
A helmet leads every list of essential accessories. You should never even ride
across a parking lot without a helmet.
Cycling in the Texas sun makes a helmet with a fitted visor a welcome addition.
If you have an old helmet, you can add a visor for less than $10.
All states require a white front headlight for night riding. Mounting
reflective material on your pedals, wheels, and seat post will make you more visible.
The next accessory or accessories you buy concern the bicycle seat. A
gel-filled seat provides a great deal of comfort plus form-fitting cushioning. A
touring-style sheepskin cover is worth consideration.
Cycling shorts add comfort, too, if you buy them correctly. When buying shorts,
make certain no seams run down the middle of the crotch. The stitching should be recessed
into the shorts so that you can run your finger along the seams and not feel the
stitching.
Next, you need to purchase a way to carry water. It can be a simple plastic
water bottle with a cage all the way up to the popular Camel Bak which is filled with
water and worn like a backpack. A drinking tube allows for hands-free sipping at will.
Cycling gloves are a matter of comfort but good ones absorb road shock and
prevent numbness.
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for further information about bicycles.
