Are you an avid cyclist? Have you found that it’s one of the more convenient ways to travel to and from work, to run errands, and to meet up with friends? More so than that, it’s likely also a more affordable way to travel, all while getting in your daily exercise. If you’ve been cycling for a while now, you are probably interested in ways to customize your bike more to your liking, your needs, and your body. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to make your bike your own.
Interested in learning more about how to customize bike from bicycle toe clips, to the bike frame, to pedals for bikes? Keep reading for more information the popularity of biking and how to make your bike your own.
Increasing Popularity of Biking
Each year, there are more than 100 million bicycles manufactured throughout the world. All-in-all, there are around one billion bicycles in existence. That’s more than double the number of motor vehicles that exist around the world.
In spring of 2017, throughout the United States alone more than 66 million people reported they had opted to cycle at least once in the last 12 months. There’s plenty of reasons why those individuals may have chosen to take up cycling. For instance, if you bike to work, you may burn as much fat as you would have spending around 40 minutes working at a gym throughout the week, according to one study. Another study demonstrated that if you cycle, you could potentially lower the risk of premature mortality by up to 30%.
On top of the health benefits, when you choose to bike instead of driving a car, you can save gas. Each year, people choosing to bike contribute to the more than 238 million gallons of gas saved.
Ways to Customize Your Bicycle
1. Bike frames
Choosing the right bike frame is all about taking into consideration you height. Before getting started, determine whether you’re interested in a road bike or a mountain bike. This will make a difference when selecting the bike frame. If you are in a bike store, they can assist you in taking measurements and finding out which bike frame may be the best for you.
If you are at home, after you have your height, you need your leg inseam, as well. This way, you should get the perfect fit when sitting in your customized bicycle. Don’t forget to take your leg inseam, as this will make a difference when you choose a bike frame that is the most comfortable.
2. Toe clips
Not sure if you need bike toe clips? There’s a few benefits to adding these to your customized bike. One benefit is they allow you to push down and pull back when pedaling. That way you can get more power behind each cycle without bringing your feet off the actual pedals on the bike. Toe clips can easily be added to the front of each of your pedals to fit your bike perfectly. Then, you simply slide your feed into the toe clips and they surround your toes while riding. Some toe clips may come with an adjustable strap for added customizability.
3. Pedals
There are a variety of pedals to choose from when customizing your bike. You’ve probably used normal platform bike pedals. These are sturdy and help you get going. However, if you’re looking for something more lightweight or durable, you should start shopping around for other options.
For example, you can opt for clipless bike pedals or specialty pedals depending on whether you’re interested in road riding or mountain bike riding more often. Each of these may provide more comfort when riding quickly or over rocky terrain. In addition, they provide more stability, especially if you are able to clip your shoes into the pedals.
Now that you have started to think of ways to customize your bike, you can begin researching exactly what might be best for your situation. Once you have made some final decisions about what you need and what will provide the most comfort and stability, you can begin to customize your bike.