Many reasons will push you to choose a bicycle as a new mode of transportation. You may not even choose to ride a bicycle as a means of transportation at all. Some people choose to cycle because they need the exercise. Some people are competitors in cycling. And there are others that simply want a way to bond with their family, so they take up cycling. No matter your reason for needing to choose a bicycle, you need to consider a number of different things in order to choose the one that is right for you. This article provides some advice to help you along your way.
The brakes on your bike are of utmost importance. You have to think about what you are most comfortable with along the lines of stopping your bicycle. If you only want a bike to use occasionally as a hobby, you can go with normal brakes which are just small pads designed to clasp the wheel when used. 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. For such cycling you should look to disc brakes, these are located within the wheel itself and are less likely to be weakened over time or worse, fail.
For a road bike you should see this page take away 9" from the inseam measurement you took earlier. This is because of the size of the tires on your road bike. 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. They are thicker and meant for a rockier terrain. It is possible to use mountain bikes for city cycling although this is not what they are best suited for.
It is important that you allow adequate room between you and the crossbar. When choosing a bike move the seat so it is a couple of inches above the crossbar. Your feet should still comfortably rest on the ground. Which bike you get will greatly alter the clearance you will require. A touring bike for example will require around 1", perhaps slightly more. For mountain bikes you will require somewhere around 3 inches.
When you get a bike your main goal should be to find one that physically suits you. 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. Safety is important when on a bike but do not overlook comfort, otherwise those long rides will soon grow tiresome.