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The minefield of buying a bike made dead easy

Choose your bike.
You need to decide WHAT you want your bike for. If it is for serious country touring over roads, you will need a tourer. If you want to commute quickly on roads, a road racer would be ideal. If you have a mixture of rough terrain and road, a hybrid or moutain bike would be better. So decide what purpose your intended bike is for.

Pay as much as you can.
Take it from personal experience, spend as much as you can afford on your bike. You get what you pay for, and if you buy a cheap bike, there is usually a good reason (quality of parts, etc). You're the buyer so be choosey. If you go to a bike shop and they seem to have little knowledge or interest in your quest, walk out the shop. Find a shop where they want to sell you the right bike for you, not the one with the best price tag for them to sell.

A good bike shop will give you impartial advice. More importantly, they will make sure when you purchase the bike, it leaves the store in the correct position for you (seat, handlebars).

Do make sure when you get your bike, you are in the correct riding position. You could cause yourself a serious injury or months of uncomfortable cycling if your bike is not in the right position for you.

As a general guide, there should be about an inch clearance between your groin and the frame when you are astride the bike. When you sit on the seat, your toes should just be able to touch the floor. When seated in the cycling position, your leg should almost straighten but not quite - so you extend your leg almost to the straight position but your knee is slightly bent.

Do invest in a helmet. However stupid they look, they look better than your brains will do on the pavement. Don't take the risk, it could save your life. Also try and get some high visibility clothing, make yourself as bright and 'seeable' as you can to other road users.

Abide by the rules of the road. Not all cyclists go through red lights and ignore traffic signals and signs. Be one of the good guys!

On roads, cycle slowly enough to know you can stop in a sudden emergency. Expect people to open their car doors, cut you up and execute moves without any indication or warning. If you expect these things, you give yourself vital seconds to react - again, it could save your life.

Get a face mask of some sort. Don't breathe fumes - cycling is supposed to be healthy!

Enjoy your bike and be safe.

Learn more about this author, Lorraine Etherington.
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