How To Choose The Right Bike And Gear

For commuting you want to choose a bicycle that puts you in a comfortable position, slightly forward but not bent over the handlebars. To far over the bars and you'll end up with numb hands. Too upright will put a lot of pressure on your bum and make the bike a bit harder to control

You don't see fenders much on bikes these days but they are a must-have accessory for serious commuting. Even if you avoid riding in the rain, every wet spot in the road from snow melt to sprinkler overspray will throw dirty water up your back.

Mountain bikes are popular and lend themselves well to commuting. Choose a narrow tire without aggressive knobby tires for a smooth and solid ride on pavement. Keep the tires inflated to maximum pressure and your bike will roll smoother and require less effort to pedal.

If your commute means riding before dawn or after dark you'll want good quality lights. Many systems are now available with rechargeable batteries. Good lighting is as much for being seen as it is for seeing and in most cities it's required by law at dawn or dusk.

You'll need some way to carry your briefcase, laptop, lunch and maybe a change of clothes. You may try a back pack or bike bag but the very best way is to install a rack on your bike and use panniers, or 'saddlebags' for your gear. Using panniers is more comfortable than a back pack and make the bike easier and safer to ride by keeping the weight low.

One of the most common concerns of someone who is just starting to ride a bike is comfort on the seat. The truth is, and this is first-hand experience from someone who has ridden tens and tens of thousands of miles and owned dozens of saddles, it will take some getting used to. There are many high-quality special saddles but my advice is ride with what comes on your bike for a while. After a couple of weeks you should be fine.

Several bicycle companies such as Trek and Specialized now make bikes designed specifically for commuting and there is no better place to get good advice about setting your bike up than at your local bike shop. Prices range widely but a good, dependable bike that will serve your for years can be set up properly for under $500 and you can certainly get started for far less.

Riding a bike is an excellent low impact and fun way to both lose weight and save money. Setting yourself up properly is the key to making it work for you.