How to Choose a Comfortable Bike
Hopping on a bike is great exercise--plus, you save on gas and preserve the air. You can pedal for pleasure on the weekends or ride to work or the grocery store. But to use it often, you want a comfortable bike--preferably one with a soft seat, easy-to-reach handlebars and good suspension. For a really relaxed pose, you might even look at bikes that let you lean back as you ride.
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Instructions
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Decide what kind of cycling you prefer. Road bikes are sleek and fast, but you have to stay on the pavement. Mountain bikes, with their wider tires, can go on the road or the trail. Hybrids are a combination of the two.
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For street riding, check out the features on today's cruisers--many of them are built for comfort. Look for a large seat, wide handlebars, wide tires to help with balance and a low step-over height to make mounting easier.
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Try out a comfort series bike. These feature adjustable handlebars, great suspension and seats that don't rub you the wrong way. Available from several manufacturers, comfort series bikes work well on roads and cross country.
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Lean back comfortably on a recumbent or semi-recumbent bike. The pedals are in front of you so you can sit back while you ride and easily put your feet down when you stop. These bikes come in a wide variety of styles.
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With any bike, make sure the seat is comfortable. Look for one made of a gel that conforms to your body while you ride and then returns to its original shape. If you ride in jeans or other street clothes, pick a soft Lycra-covered seat so you won't be chafed or bothered by seams.
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Tips & Warnings
If you don't look great in Spandex but you like the comfort of biking shorts, try a pair of nylon baggy shorts with a chamois-lined bike short underneath.
A bike can be comfortable for one person but miserable for the next. When you're shopping, don't take a salesperson's word for it--go for a ride before you buy. Make sure you're comfortable sitting, shifting and braking.
