Get into City Cycling - It can be A Joyful and Healthy Experience

 City Cycling

So, let's assume you intend to become a casual City Cycling rider. One of the first step to finding the right bicycle for you is to determine the proper riding style for what you want to achieve.  Always keep in mind that you’re not limited to owning one bike. You can develop more than one riding style. Likewise, you can invest in more than one bike. For example, if your goal is to only ride around the neighborhood occasionally with the family, then you may want to invest in something like a cruiser. Cruiser bikes and hybrid bikes are kind of similar. 

Schwinn 29 Mens Plaza Cruiser Bike

Cruiser Bikes

Cruisers are designed for casual, upright riding.  They are good for short distances, like running errands, or a ride around the block with the grand kids. Or, you may have had an old forgotten bike in the shed which you hose off and ride away.  The assumption is that if you are reading this post, then you have more in mind for your riding experience. 

Hybrid Bikes

As a casual City Cycling rider you will most likely ride in an upright position and on paved, or hard packed, unpaved surfaces.  The ideal bike will be a hybrid bike with 700C wheels.  The bike you want is lean with tall narrow (35mm – 40mm) wheels, multiple gears using grip or trigger type shifters, shoe on rim type brakes and a comfortable foam/gel medium width saddle.  You can find these bikes on Amazon in the $200 to $350 range. You will get a better price when buying a bike online. Bicycle Shop Online has a good selection of what’s available online.  

Mens Hybrid Bike by Giordano - G7 700c, 21

 What Size Bike Do I need?

OK, let's talk about fitting.  Fitting is something that needs to be done.  Having a properly sized bike is important. It starts with correct frame geometry. By geometry, we mean frame size measured from the center of the pedal crank to the center of the top bar – either in cm. or in. If buying you bike online, you should address geometry.  Most good online bike shops will include a frame sizing chart to help you figure out the right frame size.  The next, and vital part, is actual dimensions and adjustments made while you are seated on the bike. This, you do once you receive the bike at home. This includes seat height, seat forward and aft positioning, handlebar stem length and angle selection, all done while taking the proper measurements using standard linear devices and plumb-bob measurements from your knee to the ball of your foot while your knee is at 90 degrees.

Local Bicycle Shop

 An advantage to buying from the local bike shop is that the fitting should be included (make sure and don't buy if it isn't) and items like stem length and angle adjustments requiring a stem change be included as well (don't let them try to sell you the proper stem – they should merely exchange it for you.)  If buying online you can figure $35 to $50 at the local bike shop.  Bottom line is don't skip this step.  $50 is cheaper than a trip to the doctor due to joint pain and a bad taste for City Cycling.

With the right preparation and equipment, you can experience the joys and benefits of City Cycling.  We will explore this from the ground up; the style of cycling you wish to pursue, the equipment best suited for that style and how much money you need to invest.

Online Bicycle Shops

If you have done biking before and have some existing equipment and gear, then you should start with an evaluation of what you already own and whether or not any additional items are needed.  The is a budget level to fit everyone's lifestyle.  There are some great deals on new bikes online. There are also good sources for used bikes as well.  Cycling is fun and enjoyable for all age groups.  This is true whether you want to ride with the family, explore the dedicated bike trails with your friends, or jump into road biking with a local bike club. Bicycle Shop Online Repairs has some great maintenance tips and techniques that will keep you going while on the trail and keep your bike out of the shop.  There, you will also find great deals on parts.  

Forgotten Bikes

City Cycling is great for your physical health. Cycling gives you peace of mind, gets you outdoors with the family and friends and can introduce you to a new group of people to hang out with. 

 A lot of people actually own bicycles. A few of us actually ride them. The remainder of us keep them out in the back shed, hanging from the rafters, or piled in the corner of the garage.  The bike we have forgotten about may not be the bike we need to make our ride a pleasant one.  Many people have great intentions of riding a bike for health and or pleasure so they run out to Wal-Mart or Target and pick the coolest looking bike they can find in $100 range, run home fully charged and excited, grab a bottle of their favorite water and hit the road.  It usually doesn't take them long to realize they're not 12 anymore and it is not as much fun as they remember.

Boat Anchors

That "really cool bike" they bought turns out to be a mass-produced contraption better suited as a boat anchor than for riding. You may want to think twice about a bike weighing 35 to 45 lbs. with all kinds of impressive looking shocks, springs and pivots that swing the rear section of this ultra cool modern machine.  

After bragging about how bicycles have really developed since the 1960s and how you got a really great deal, you take that short ride. It’s only a matter of time before you start developing knee, back and hip pain.  Why, you ask?  The bike is too damn heavy, with all that equipment you will never use. In City Cycling, geometry of the frame is not designed ergonomically and, most importantly, not fitted to the rider.   

Stiffness and Joint Pain

So, the next day rolls around and you wake up stiff and with joint pain that leads us to believe we are way too old to be riding a bike. You ask yourself, what on earth was I thinking? By the way, a little stiffness is normal for those who haven't ridden in a while.

 

The Right Bike

That is how the treasure we were so very proud of ended up forgotten and rejected, stowed away for passing off to the grandchildren.  Riding, once we are reconditioned, should be free of joint pain and pleasurable.  Acquiring the right bike, one fitted to our body geometry and riding style, makes all the difference in the world.

City Cycling on the Rise

These steps will help you to prepare for City Cycling as a commuter.  People are getting less exercise, so whenever you can squeeze exercise into your routine, that’s a good thing. Cycling is a good way to squeeze exercise into your routine. With transportation costs continuing to rise, City commuter Cycling is on the rise. However, caution and preparation are in order because drivers aren’t yet accustomed to sharing the road with bike riders.