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Knowing what to look for in your new bicycle is of paramount importance. Even for pro bicyclists, deciding on their next bicycle can be a challenge. Considering the various factors makes purchasing a bike tough. If you know how and when you want to ride, where you are going to ride, how comfortable and safe you must be, and what you'd like to look like as you ride, you'll have an easier time choosing your bike. Keeping on top of all the new ideas coming out with bicycling, as well as choosing between the old options, makes choosing a bike hard. Simply apply this test as you go to get your new bike.

It goes without saying that choosing the correctly sized bike is of utmost importance. For this you must calculate your inseam. Simply measure through your inner leg from your groin to the bottom of your foot to find out your inseam. You should be able to sit on your bike while keeping both feet flat on the ground. This is for safety more than anything else, if your brakes should fail you will not be able to easily stop the bike otherwise.

Be cautious, however, and always be sure to test the bike out before you buy it. Don't just jump on and jump off though, take a nice little ride for at least a few minutes. It's the same concept as buying an used car, there's no way you would take it without testing it.

Why wouldn't you do the same with a bicycle? This is especially important if you are going to be spending large sums of money for a bicycle that you are going to be riding a lot. You need to make sure the bike is going to 'fit' you. You should have no problem finding one that you can ride easily, but you also need to find a bike that fits your riding style. You would never want to ride a bicycle that was uncomfortable for you.

You also want to make sure you leave some room between you and the crossbar of your bike. 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". For mountain bikes you will require somewhere around 3 inches.

Your main priority is the physical fit of your bike. Selecting a bike with a good fit for you is of the utmost importance, when using a bike as the main way to get from A to B. You need to feel safe but also comfortable on your bike, otherwise you won't enjoy riding it!