While choosing the right bike does not necessarily involve the same commitment as choosing say a wife, for instance, it still does need some considerable thought. If you are buying a bicycle for the first time and are not really sure what you want it for, the options are virtually endless. So you probably want to figure out what purpose you want to use the bike for. This is your very first determination.

Basically, today there are four different types of bicycle and your choice should obviously be based upon what your purpose for the bike is.

Road Bikes have been designed for use on paved surfaces. They feature thin tires and a lightweight frame. They also seat you in a position bent forwards over the handlebars and are suitable for traveling at higher speed over longer distances. They will not stand up to heavy loads and rough terrain, much like walking in the woods in high heeled shoes.

Mountain bikes have become ever more popular over the past twenty years. In fact, the popularity of mountain bikes could be considered to be explosive. These chunky bikes are extremely strong, the tires have knobby treads and they are specifically designed for really rough terrain.

One of the trade-offs for the durability of a mountain bike is the fact that they do not have the speed of road bikes. But they have a far more comfortable riding position, and this alone makes them popular with people who suffer from back problems, and want to ride a bike purely for the exercise of it.

Be warned though that because of the popularity of mountain bikes, they are more likely to be punted by sales people. But if you are looking for purely a road bike, and you purchase a mountain bike, you will be paying extra for a whole lot of features that you don’t, or won’t ever need.

Hybrid Bikes are a merger between mountain and road bikes and features allow the rider to have the upright seat and handlebars yet allow more speed than the typical mountain bike. Hybrid bikes are a good choice for city riding and offer durability, speed and comfort.

Cruisers have wide tires, upright handlebars and sometimes even a gear. These bikes are most often seen in relaxed surrounding such as the beach. They are the simplest bike mechanically and are perfect for people who want comfort over any other bicycle feature. Quite notably, they are durable and easily maintained.

If none of these bikes is what you are seeking, there is still a huge variety of other options available. You could even go for a tandem, providing you have a riding partner, or recumbent, which has a long wheel base and seats the rider in a supine position. And if you don’t fancy the falling-off aspect of biking, why not even consider a tricycle.

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Choosing the Right Bicycle

As bicycle technology advances through time, choosing the right road bicycles can prove to be a difficult task. There are many things that you have to consider before committing to purchasing a specific bicycle. One thing you need to determine is the type of bike that is right for you and perfect for your need. You have to know your cycling needs, habits, the road you would be cycling on, the road types and the places where you aim to use your bicycle.

If you are new to the cycling world, you might find yourself overwhelmed at how many different types of bicycles there are available nowadays. If you walk into a bicycle shop, you would see an array of designs, brands, and different makes. If you are in such a situation, think of how frequent you would be riding your bike, what kind of riding you would want to do, and what is your budget. From there, you can choose on the different kinds of bikes.

Road Bikes

These bikes are meant for long distance cycling. They have narrow tires which are lightweight so it would be easy for you to save your energy. You don’t have to worry about staying on a static position for hours when on the road since road bicycles, especially women’s road bikes, offer a variety of hand positions.

Mountain Bikes

As their name implies, mountain bikes are more popular for off-road bicycling. Compared to road bicycles, these bikes are extremely strong considering that they would be used on tough roads and terrain. The tires have knobby treads and have good suspension designed to absorb shock.

Hybrid Bikes

When you would most likely use your bike for city riding, then hybrid bikes are for you. These bikes are actually a combination of mountain bikes and road bicycles. Its seats and handlebars are upright, almost like a women’s road bike but it offers more speed than a regular mountain bike.

Comfort Cruiser Bikes

These bikes are also known as touring bikes or beach bikes. They are known for their wide tires, upright handlers, and their gear box. They are used in a relaxed surrounding such as the beach. Unlike women’s road bikes and mountain bikes, these are designed for comfort loving people.

Utility Bikes

Their name says much about where they are usually used. They are made for commuting, running and shopping purposes. They usually have an internal hub gear with middle to heavy weigh tires and frames. Since they are usually parked somewhere, they are equipped with chain guards. Most of these bikes have a basket for commuter purposes.

Folding Bikes

Unlike road bicycles, these bikes have hinges or joints in the frame and handlebar. This permits the bike to be broken down and folded into a more compact size. The wheels are relatively small, of 20 inch or 51cm in diameter or less. They can be takes inside public transport and apartment buildings. However, they usually cost more than ordinary, non-folding bikes.

There are really no fast rules when it comes to choosing the right bike. However, whether you are looking to buy women’s road bikes or any other bicycles, your local bicycle shop would be there to help you and advice you in making the right decision.

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If you’ve decided you want to start exercising regularly and biking is your exercise of choice first you’ll want to make sure you have a good bike of course.  But the next most important item is finding the right bicycle seat, sometimes called a saddle.

The bicycle seat supports your weight while you ride.  If you don’t have a bike saddle that fits correctly it can cause a lot of discomfort, including irritation and chaffing.  You may have even read reports of bicycle seats contributing to things as serious as impotence.

Types Of Bicycle Seats

Because manufacturers and inventors saw the need we now have a wide variety of bike seats from which to choose.  There are saddles made for different types of bikes, for example a racing bike will require something different than a cruiser because of the way the rider sits and how the bike is used, for speed versus leisure.

There are also different bicycle seats for the different genders.  A bike seat made for a woman is a little wider and shorter than one made for a man to fit the shape of the pelvis better.  Some women do fine with a men’s bike seat but others are more comfortable with one made specifically for women, so it is something to consider.

There are bike seats for those who have problems with pain in pressure points, numbness or tingling while riding.  You can find a variety of inventive designs to help avoid these types of problems.  Some seats use padding while others use an innovative design.  Both styles are effective, it just depends on your preference.

Finding The Right Fit

How do you know if the bike seat fits you correctly?  You can tell by the way your sit bones hit the seat.  Your sit bones are the two bones that you can feel when you sit on a hard surface.  Your sit bones should be in the middle of the rear, larger portion of the bicycle seat.

Finding the right bike seat can make a big difference in the way you ride and how much you enjoy it.  If you are starting an exercise regime this is an important thing to consider if you want to stick to that regime.

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Cycling shirts are an essential garment for the serious cyclists, helping them to attain their best speed but also helping them enjoy greater comfort as they ride.  These shirts are also a bit of a fashion statement and they’ve become a place for pro cyclists to show their supporters or sponsors.  So you can understand why cycling t shirts are a significant component that should be in every cyclists closet.  Based on what you prefer, what you need and your biking level it can be incredibly useful to think about the particular uses of the cycling shirt prior to purchasing it.  Many top quality jerseys aren’t inexpensive, but discovering a cycling shirt you love is generally worth the price if you’re serious about biking.

The Fit and The Material of a Cycling Shirt

The most common type of material used for biking shirts is polyester.  These shirts are typically constructed from polyester, either a blend of mostly polyester with a little lycra or a patented mix of polyester, frequently a type of microfiber.  This polyester blend aids in wicking moisture from the skin which helps keep cyclist cooler.  This constitutes a significant function when intensely biking and building up a serious sweat.

Biking shirts are normally contoured to the body to have a slim fit so the cyclist won’t experience excess fabric creating resistance as it drags in the wind.  A slimmer fitting jersey helps the biker’s performance.  For those who ride casually there are additional styles which are a little looser in the midriff and shoulders.  These styles feel more similar to a golf style shirt.

A Cycling Shirt’s Design

When you decide which biking shirt is best for you there are some design features you will want to deliberate.  Cycling shirts are available as long sleeve, short sleeve or sleeveless . There are even a few long sleeve biking shirts that contain zippers around the shoulder area so you can take the sleeves off and make the jersey sleeveless.

The pockets of the shirt are generally located on the back of the jersey so things like keys and wallets won’t be lost while cycling.  For even more safety in this area you may want a shirt that has elazticized pockets or pockets with zippers.

Several biking shirts feature zippers down the front so the biker unzip it to get some air when wanted.  These cycling shirts come with either with partial or full length zippers.  The full zippers also give the rider an easier way to put the jersey on.  Some other biking shirts are made with vented panels in specific areas of the shirt to help provide airflow to cool the rider.

Biking jerseys are an essential piece of the cycling apparel.  Everyone has their own specific likes and dislikes so try wearing a few different jerseys to find out which is the most comfortable for you.  The right cycling shirt can aid both your comfort and performance.

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