Long gone are the days when the choice of bicycles was limited to 2-3 models. Now bicycles have become known as bikes, and their choice in stores is amazing. How to choose the most suitable bike for yourself and your family ?!
Instructions
Step 1
Calculate your finances first. Determine the amount you can spend on a good bike. If there is not enough money, check the possibility of obtaining a loan. As a rule, it is difficult to find a good and high-quality bike cheaper than 15 thousand.
Step 2
Prepare money to buy protective equipment that is important for driving safety. The cost of funds may vary, but the main thing is that they should be comfortable and not hamper movement.
Step 3
When choosing the bike itself, start with the frame. The bike can have either a steel frame or a light alloy frame (aluminum, titanium, carbon). Lightweight frame materials make the entire bike much lighter and allow you to develop more speed on it with less physical effort. The disadvantages of such frames are the complexity of the repair and the higher cost.
Step 4
Size the frame to suit your height. Frame size is the length of the seat tube and is measured in inches. For a cyclist (rider) with a height of 150-170 cm, a frame of 12-14 inches is required, with a height of 170-190 cm - 15-16 inches, for tall riders with a height above 190 cm - 17-18 inches.
Step 5
Pay attention to the front fork. Most modern bicycles have a spring loaded fork to cushion the shock of riding. If your riding style involves frequent jumps, choose a specially designed reinforced jumping fork. The optimum front fork travel should be 100-120mm.
Step 6
Select the steering wheel. A curved handlebar is handy for a road bike. For sports - bent down. It provides the necessary athletic posture. For mountain bikes, the handlebars are best straight, like a stick.
Step 7
Road bike wheels should be of moderate width and road tread pattern. Sports tires are narrow. Racing may not even have a tread pattern (slicks). The rims themselves for sports bicycles must be made of light alloys. For mountain bikes, reinforced rims that can withstand multiple jumps and thick tires with developed lugs are preferred.
Step 8
Sport and mountain bikes are more likely to have hand brakes. Road - with a foot. Classic brakes are of the tick-borne type. Modern models are equipped with disc brakes that are more efficient and easier to adjust.
Step 9
The number of gears also depends on the purpose of the bike. For simple road bikes, 3-9 speeds are sufficient. Sports and mountaineering often have 21-30 speeds. When driving fast on the highway or on rough terrain, more accurate speed selection significantly reduces the physical effort of the rider by selecting the optimal pedaling speed.
