5 Tips to Pick the Correct Bike for your Fitness Goals
While the decision to buy a bicycle isn’t even close to level of commitment as buying a house or getting married, it still warrants a bit of thought before diving in. If you’ve never considered getting a bike before, especially if your focus is on fitness, then it can seem like each new piece of information leads to further questions. But don’t get discouraged! Here’s a few tips to point you in the right direction.
1. Ask a professional
Seems super obvious but this is always a great place to start. Visit a proper bike store like 99 Bikes, rather than going to a superstore. Specialty retailers and repairers have a far deeper knowledge of bike types than a bulk outlet and can answer any technical questions you might have. They’re also qualified to fit any accessories or customisation options you might require, which will keep you from making any costly mistakes on a DIY attempt.
2. Type of bike
The first thing to consider is the type of bike you’re interested in. There’s a vast number to choose from but there are a few kinds that pop up more than any other – road bikes, which are better for pavement and commuting, and mountain bikes which have lots of gears and are perfect for hills and rugged terrain. But that’s not even touching on sports models like racing and touring bikes. The bike you choose will be dictated by the very next point on this list:
3. Intended use
What do you want to use your bike for? There’s no sense getting an uncomfortable racing bike if you just need it to commute to work through the city every day. The same goes for buying a standard bike and attempting to regularly tackle hilly terrain. Having a clear idea of where you’ll be riding the bike and why is an important step. Having the right bike will also let you maximise your fitness results.
4. How does it fit?
Did you know bikes come in different sizes? They do. And it’s a big part of picking the right one. How easy is it to mount and dismount? Are you having to overextend your legs to turn the pedals? Is the seat comfortable? Kids bikes generally come equipped with tires from about 12” up 26-28” which is considered standard for adults. If you are especially tall or short, your best bet will be to have your bike custom built for your needs.
5. Take it for a test ride
Another tip that seems a bit on the obvious side but you’d be surprised how few people take advantage of it. Just like when you are considering the purchase of a new car, you can take a prospective new bike for a test ride. This allows you to get a feel for the bike’s height and what it’s like to ride it – remember, if your focus is on fitness then you’re probably going to be using it every day.
Getting a bike is just a good idea. It gets you out the house, you’ll discover parts of your neighbourhood you’ve never seen before and, for those who have a specific focus on fitness goals, it gets your body moving and your heart pumping. Seriously, even an hour of moderate exertion on a bike can burn up to 700 calories an hour. It’s a way more scenic approach to cardio than a treadmill. And remember – always wear a helmet. What sort of bike do you own? Tell us all about it in the comments below!
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Posted in: Equipment and Gear
Tags: biking