If you love keeping fit and active, what better way to get from A to B than by riding a bicycle? Instead of taking the car to the grocery store or to work, your bicycle will give you some much-needed exercise in the morning that will boost productivity levels and keep you alert.
It’s estimated that there are over 20 million bicycles sold throughout the United States annually, so if you’re ready to add to the statistic, here are seven important things to consider before making your mind up.
1) Type
Before buying a bicycle, you need to decide what kind of riding you envision yourself doing. For those who love going on adventure trails and exploring a mountain bike may be perfect for you, whereas for those who enjoy riding around town, a road ebike or hybrid may be more suitable. Each type of bicycle will serve a different purpose, so when you factor in how much money you might spend, it’s important you pick a bicycle that you will reap the benefits from. Even if you’re buying secondhand, make sure you factor in the kind of lifestyle you lead, otherwise, your bicycle may end up collecting dust.
2) Size
Just like with human beings, bicycles come in all different sizes. There are several factors to consider when determining the right size bicycle for your needs, including leg extension, reach and stand-over height. If you have young children and want to get them involved in cycling, they will naturally need a smaller bicycle. When it comes to finding an adult bicycle, the wheel sizes tend to be consistent among most bicycle types. Above anything else, you must pick a bicycle that provides comfort and enjoyment, which makes size an important factor.
3) Brand
All kinds of bike companies will fight for your attention to get noticed. When you take into consideration how many bicycles are sold in the U.S every year, there are hundreds of brands to choose from, which can make the decision process hard. Whether a Norco catches your eye or a Trek is more to your taste, you must compare a range of brands before making your final decision. It also helps to read customer ratings and reviews as they are the ones who will provide an honest, non-biased opinion.
4) Health
If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s to look closer at our health and make lifestyle changes to support our mind and body. Purchasing a bicycle and riding on the open road can benefit your health in numerous ways, such as increasing cardiovascular fitness, reducing stress levels, improving posture and coordination, as well as improving joint mobility. Before purchasing a bicycle, you need to determine whether you will use it for getting fit and active. To stay focused, it may be wise to buy bicycles for all the family, which can be used for family bike rides around your area. If you’ve never been on a bicycle before, the experience may be daunting, initially. However, over time, you will become used to riding and reap the health benefits.
5) Safety
Your bicycle’s braking system needs to be perfect. When going out on your bicycle, there are all kinds of hazards that may require you to stop suddenly. If your brakes are faulty, this will put you in danger and could see you sustain a nasty injury should you fall off your bicycle. Depending on how adventurous you are with your biking activities, you can choose between disc and rim brakes. Bicycles that feature rear-end and front suspension technologies tend to be safer, particularly for those who cycle on rough ground. Having a good GPS system on your bike is also vital; be sure to check out this website for some good ones!
6) Insurance
Even the most careful cyclists can easily find themselves in an accident. Whether it’s your fault or not, having bicycle insurance in place is a must. You may be wondering why insure a bicycle, which is where Velosurance comes into the equation. Velosurance has many years of experience protecting cyclists, so should you have an accident, or be a victim of bicycle theft, knowing you can replace or repair your bicycle without losing tons of money can put your mind at ease. Velosurance has a guide to why insure a bicycle, as well as other tips to help you pick the right product.
7) Where to Buy
Because of the pandemic, your local bicycle store may be closed. This means that you may not be able to test ride bicycles in person and instead, have to surf the web to find what you’re looking for. One of the benefits of buying your bike online is that it will be cheaper when compared to those in a physical shop. Whatever you do, make sure you pick a bike that suits your needs and ask questions if you’re not sure.
Once you find the right bicycle for your needs, you will be on your way to improving your fitness levels. Whether it’s a quick ride around the neighborhood or you use it for long-distance journeys, all the factors above must be taken into account before purchasing and committing to a bicycle.
