If you already have a bike and what you want is to do a route or you don't have one but you want to go out to the mountains, be sure to take a look at the routes by bike that we have in almost all Spanish provinces.
What type of bicycle do I choose?
Do I want to walk around the city? Am I going to travel long distances? Do I like mountain descents better?
Mountain Bike. This all-terrain bike will allow you to go on sandy roads or mountains without any problem. Generally, these types of bikes have a front fork but no suspension at the back. This will allow you to go on uneven and imperfect paths, as it softens the roughness of the terrain.
On the other hand, and if what suits you is a little more action, considering freeride among your alternatives, it is a very good option to choose a MTB that has disc brakes, because during big descents it is the one that it works better.
Urban bicycle. If what you want is a bike to ride quietly, go to work or shop on and you are going to always use it on asphalt, do not hesitate to take one of these models. To be comfortable, pay special attention to the size and shape of the wheels: they must be large and thin.
You can also add, if you wish, a basket or saddlebags to be more comfortable with it and to make it useful in case you have to do something shopping on the way home.
Bike for the road. They are perfect if you want to play sports, always going on the asphalt. Its wheels are thin so that the friction with the ground is much less and you can go faster. Pay special attention to the speeds: it must have at least two chainrings to facilitate changes depending on the slope you are going on.
What size bike do I need?
If you don't want to injure yourself or have discomfort in your back, knees, neck or arms because you have chosen a bike that is the wrong size for you, make sure it can fit all sizes. proportions of your body.
To determine the size correctly, you do not have to look at the height of the body, but instead you have to focus on the length of the legs. How is it measured? From the floor to the crotch. Once we have the measurement, we will have to multiply it by 0.54 to have it in centimeters, which is how the frame is measured (corresponds to the seat tube); If you want to know it in inches, you will have to multiply it by 0.21.
It is very important that you are guided more by the measurement in centimeters than by the sizes that some manufacturers may have: L, XS, M, etc. because it is less precise.
A trick to know if the bike is perfect for you is to sit on it and put your feet on the pedals. If you can stretch one of your legs without lifting your heel off the pedal and without your knee being bent, the measurement is ideal.
As for girls, it is better that you focus on women's bikes, because although a man and a woman have the same height, their body proportions are obviously different. That is why the top tube is shorter, shorter handlebars are needed, the saddle must go a little further back and be wider...
How do I know if the saddle and handlebars are at the correct height?
The saddle must be completely parallel to the ground, that is, it cannot be tilted up or down. Although it is true that there are many people who consider that they are more comfortable during descents with a slight upward inclination of the seat, if you are not going to practice this modality it will be better that you adjust it according to the use that you are going to give it the most.
As for the height of the handlebars, place it so that your body sitting on the saddle has an inclination of about 45º. Ideally, it should be a height that allows you to turn the handlebars freely without having to turn your torso. . This way the arms can be slightly bent, allowing them to act as a suspension and they will absorb the bumps and be rigid on the steepest descents without causing any imbalance.
Tips:
- Once you buy a bike, you will have to take care of it and ensure its maintenance to extend its life.
- When you go to practice this sport it is very important that you warm up beforehand to avoid injuries.
And you, what type of bicycle do you use? Which one best suits your needs?
