It can seem very hard to find a new bike when you have so many choices. Take heart! Even professional cyclists struggle when choosing their next bicycle. Considering the various factors makes purchasing a bike tough. Imagine the future: how safe, comfy and stylish do you need the bike to be. How far will you ride and where will you be riding? All the existing options make it hard to make a choice; this choice is made more difficult by all the emerging technologies. Opting for the correct bike for you is as easy as using these simple criteria.
It is important to know how your bike comes to a stop. Brakes are very important on a bike, you need to understand how they work and what type you will most likely need for your bike. Those who do not use their bikes very regularly will be happy with normal brakes, those which simply squeeze the tire with two small pads to slow the bike down. If you decide you want your bike for more off-roading adventures, you need a different kind of braking system that can keep up with that particular style. These disk brakes are perfect for serious bike use, they sit inside the wheel and will be able to handle heavy use without malfunction.
For road bikes take away 9 inches from the total of your inseam. This is down to the tires a road bike equips. Designed for cycling around the city road bike tires are thin. For a mountain bike take away 12 inches from your inseam. Again this is to account for the size of tires. Mountain bike tires are thicker than road bike tires, see this page designed for rocky terrain. You can always use a mountain bike for city cycling, although this is not how they are best used.
It is important that you allow adequate room between you and the crossbar. When you choose your bike, adjust the seat up a few inches from the crossbar and then sit on the bike. Sit on it and make sure you can rest your feet flat to the ground. Different bikes will need differing clearance amounts. As an example, with a touring bike you will only require around 1". With a mountain bike however you will need some more, 3 inches should suffice.
Your main priority is the physical fit of your bike. This is the most important thing to consider when looking into using a bike to get around. Safety is important when on a bike but do not overlook comfort, otherwise those long rides will soon grow tiresome.