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What bike to buy to make it comfortable to ride? Where to buy and what to look for when choosing a two-wheeler? See what experts advise on choosing a bike.

Four main types of bicycles:

  • road bike(so-called cyclist) - it is a racing bike. It is light and fast, but is only suitable for driving on smooth, smooth surfaces (e.g. asph alt). One is sitting on it in a not very comfortable, leaning position;
  • mountain bike(MTB) - it is light, has thick tires with tread and a reinforced frame. Designed for riding in difficult terrain, so it moves slower on asph alt than road bikes. It is assumed to be in a tilted position, so for amateurs it can be uncomfortable;
  • city bike(the so-called Dutch) - it is quite heavy, has thin tires and large wheels. It comes with a basket or rack, lights and fenders. It is seated in a comfortable, upright position. However, there are no shock absorbers, gears (rarely). Works well for driving on asph alt;
  • trekking bike- it's a tourist bike. It has large wheels and thick tires. It is equipped with derailleurs, shock absorbers, lights, a luggage rack can be mounted on it. It ensures an upright position while driving. It performs well both in the city, on asph alt and on gravel roads.
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The expert advises what to consider when choosing a bike

Piotr Bochnia, road cycling instructor, advises: if you want to buy a bike, don't go to a hypermarket. Choose a specialist store to have a guarantee and the possibility of service (you will be able to carry out inspections there). Do not look for the cheapest bike, because it is an investment for years! The bike must be light and comfortable. The choice of model depends on your preferences, not necessarily on the intended use, because, for example, a mountain bike can also be driven around the city, but you need tires with a small tread. Also pay attention to the cushioning - it determines the comfort of driving. Don't save on it, especially when you have back problems.

Learn about the benefits of cycling!

Comfortable bike, i.e. adjusted to you and your riding style

The bike should be adjusted to the user's physical conditions, terrain and riding style (position).

The size of the framemust match our height. The seller will choose it for us inspecialized store. The idea is not to ride with your arms outstretched and your torso tilted low.

It is very important to correctlyadjust the height of the saddle- while sitting on it, with the heel of your extended leg you should touch the pedal closest to the ground. Thanks to this, we will avoid back pain.

For recreational ridingthe steering wheel should be far enough and high enough that the torso is tilted to the ground at an angle of 45 degrees, and its weight is equally supported by the seat , arms and legs.

For city driving , a more upright position is better, because you have to watch what is going on around you all the time. This relieves the wrists, elbows and shoulders, and the neck and neck muscles do not stiffen. Unfortunately, the spine rests more heavily on the torso. In order to avoid discopathy caused by sudden bumps in numerous holes in this position, it is best to ride a bicycle with front and rear suspension, or at least use thicker tires and not inflate the tubes "on a rock". You pedal a little harder then, but your spine is safer.

Important

A comfortable ride largely depends on the position, and this depends on the positioning of individual components of the bicycle. Therefore, do not be afraid to manipulate it. For example, if you have a backache after a few rides, reposition the saddle or handlebar. When your fingers are tingling, manipulate the shifters, change the grips or the gloves. If you have knee problems, adjust the saddle high so that your leg is straightened when the crank is low. Often, even small changes bring immediate results.

What should you pay attention to when choosing a bike?

Lighting- the bike should be clearly visible to drivers, therefore it must have a front reflector, rear lamp, reflectors.

Saddle- is to support the sciatic tumors and not rub the skin, so you need to choose them well. The sports saddles are hard and narrow, and are suitable for long routes in an inclined position. Wide, gel ones are perfect for short distances, but during a long ride they can cause pain and abrasions.

Cushioning- it is important for people with a diseased spine, it also prevents pain in the wrists. But beware: in cheap two-wheelers, shock absorbers do not fulfill their function. So if you choose a suspension bike, don't save on it.

Mudguards- protect the cyclist against splashing mud and water. We select them according to the size of the wheels, which are available in two sizes: 26 "and 28". It is not worth buying the cheapest fenders, because they often loosen and instead of improving driving comfort, they wobble and buzz on eachuneven terrain.

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