Traveling around the city is becoming more difficult and complex every day: cities limit vehicle access with traffic lights, traffic, parking, pollution… and this is why bicycles have been winning the battle over cars in recent years. It is one in the transport of micromobility in private transport.
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So what should you keep in mind when buying a bike to get around town? Buying a bike is not a decision that we can make by looking for five minutes and buying the bike that we like best. There are some things that you should consider so that you do not regret it after a new acquisition.
Aspects to take into account when buying a touring bike
Buying a city bike can be an excellent means of transportation within large cities such as Madrid and Barcelona. Especially after the ban on parking in green areas, and especially in recent months when traffic regulation protocols have been activated due to pollution. Plus, there’s the added benefit of being able to be physically active at any age (this isn’t just limited to the young).
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In addition to commuting to the workplace, you can also use your bike to carry small luggage that you can carry in a basket or attachable basket, which also helps you take small shopping trips on your way home. .. But what should you take into account before buying a bicycle?
precio
Obviously, it is not only a financial investment in a bike, but you must also consider that you will have to buy a series of accessories later, so you will have to budget accordingly, a mandatory helmet, chains, etc. that increase costs.
Establishing an initial bicycle budget between €200 and €500 can be a good option since we can consider different alternatives depending on the brand we are looking for.
Talla
Bikes are sold in the same size as clothing, so make sure you buy the right size for you. Some measurements may vary slightly from brand to brand, but generally all measurements are standard. In this way, look for the following size chart to take into account.
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Our height →Size in cm
1,55-1,60 → 47-48
1,60 a 1,65 → 49-50
1,65-1,70 → 51-52
1,70-1,75 → 53-54
1,75-1,80 → 55-56
1,80 a 1,85 → 57-58
1,85-1,90 → 59-60
+1,90 → 61
Saddle: Why is a good saddle so important?
Having a saddle made of comfortable and ergonomic material is essential since traveling around the city is subject to many irregularities in the pavement (a hard and rigid saddle will cause you multiple pains and you will end up parking the bike in the storage room).
Road cyclists aren’t the only ones who need a good saddle. While we walk, our feet are the elements that support all our weight, since we support our weight by pedaling our buttocks (and our tailbone), so that we are as comfortable as possible. It is important to have a good support surface and therefore be as ergonomic as possible.
The advantage of a saddle is that it is removable so you can replace it with a more comfortable or favorite saddle.
Break system
Basically, there are five types of brakes on a touring bike. Rod brake, cantilever brake, V-brake, coaster brake, drum brake.
Rod brakes: A type of brake that is not currently used, but in some cities you can still find bikes with this braking system where the brake pads are actuated by rods instead of cables.
Cantilever brake: The most used brake on all types of bicycles until the arrival of the V-Brake.
V brakes: They are the most used systems. They were created by the Shimano brand in the 90s. And one of its advantages is that it doesn’t require too much pressure to achieve good braking power. They are the typical “shoe” brakes.
Coaster Brake: As you can imagine, this brake works when you pedal in the opposite direction. However, it is not a hard brake, so you have to learn to use it in order not to be afraid when you need it.
Drum Brake – A shoe brake, but unlike V-brakes, the movement of a drum brake causes friction along a rotating cylinder (drum) between a wheel and a hub.
Single and double chainring bikes: which one to choose?
Until a few years ago, bikes with up to three chainrings were common. This gives you more options for pedal changes and gearing. However, when driving across town, it’s common to hit the biggest plate on the sidewalk. This is why single chainring bikes and double chainring bikes have started to appear on the market.
Double chainring bike: Having only two chainrings ensures space between the derailleurs and the ground or anything that can cause knocks on the larger chainrings, slightly reducing weight. On the other hand, triple chainrings are more versatile, which is useful if you need to climb a good hill.
Single Chainring: Eliminates two chainrings and reduces chain links, making the weight difference noticeable (which also reduces the potential number of possible breakdowns). Pedaling efficiency is improved. On the contrary, bicycles are less versatile, which makes the system simpler but more limited when it comes to going out of town or having to climb slopes.
after service
You must consider deficiencies that may be present in your bike, and deficiencies that may not have been tested or may not be seen in future failures. The most important point when evaluating a bicycle is the guarantee that the manufacturer will provide (just like you would when buying a car).
Weight ratio between the user and the bicycle
Of course, also take into account the relationship between the weight of the bike and your weight. Buying a heavy bike requires excessive effort while commuting. In addition, it is recommended that the bicycle is not too heavy, since it will cost you more to carry anything on it.
Displacements in the city: bicycle with or without motor?
In recent months, the increase in pollution in Madrid has required various measures, such as parking restrictions in the central area and speed limits on certain roads. As a sustainable and ecological alternative to this scenario, electric bicycles are revolutionary and are presented as the best option for traveling within a metropolis. Unfortunately, in the mobility plan, the government is not yet considering the introduction of aid or subsidies for those who want to buy electric bicycles.
In addition, electric bicycles offer the potential to reduce the physical effort of pedaling in cities like Madrid, and also to save time traveling from one point of the city to another. The biggest advantages of electric bicycles are, for example, that you can reserve an exclusive lane, search for parking spaces, produce economic savings compared to cars and motorcycles (ITV, transport tax, fuel bills, workshops, etc.). .. And besides that, the advantages of reducing polluting emissions to zero.
In numbers, depending on your pocket, you will find models from 400 euros to 3,000 euros (new models in Spain do not usually go below 1,000 euros).
Obviously, electric bikes are expected to cost more than conventional bikes, but beyond that, bikes will save much more than vehicles (cars or motorcycles) in the long run. You will be able to save the registration tax, the circulation tax, ITV, fines for speeding or possible parking, problems and cost of parking, and gasoline. Therefore, the initial investment is recovered quickly.
Under current regulations, electric bike batteries cannot produce more than 250 watts of power (speeds cannot exceed 25 km/h). Currently, almost all electric bike models use lithium batteries, and after 4 years of battery life, we suggest you start thinking about changing them.
Regarding the weight of electric bicycles, it is clear that they are heavier than conventional bicycles, mainly due to the presence of batteries. As a general rule, the weight of an electric bicycle can be 6-8 kg plus bicycles without motor and batteries. An important point when buying a bicycle is that you can disassemble the battery to charge it, since you will need to take it home if this is not possible.
If you have a conventional bicycle, can you modify it to be electric? The answer is yes. You can buy a conversion kit (price from 200-300 euros to 800 euros) which is easy to install.
Please note: “Electrifying” your bike requires changing wheels and brakes, which adds to your expense. This will allow you to save financial resources since you already have the bicycle and you only need to install the new components to make it electric.
