Cycling is a great way to lose weight. For a 37 year old male who weighs 167 pounds and cycles at a pace of 14 miles an hour, a whopping 806 calories can be burned! Proportional to age and weight, similar results will occur for others who participate in this activity. To experience the benefit of cycling, the purchase of a new bike is a great way get around town and to lose weight. While it is not necessary to spend thousands of dollars on a bike, finding a decent bike that satisfies personal needs is very important and can still be expensive, so getting to know what to look for prior to shopping will help you to make the right choice.

Things to look for when shopping for some wheels:

1. Size- Make sure that the size frame that you purchase is one that fits your body height and sex. To do this stand over the frame with your feet planted on the floor. There should be a 2 inch clearance between the bike frame and your crotch. Due to the construction of women’s bikes this step can be skipped.

2. Seat height- To avoid injury, special attention to this step should be observed. Proper seat height is achieved when the rider’s leg is almost fully extended in the down position. Only a slight bend in the knee should be present. This will maximize the most power and prevent fatigue. You should NEVER be able to touch the ground when sitting on your bike seat. Being able to accomplish this indicates that your bike seat is to low.

3. Make sure the seat is level. Avoid too much of an angle in the seat in either direction. A properly adjusted seat should be parallel with the ground.

4. Handle bar height- while this is dependent on the type of bike and riding you will be doing, the key to remember with handle bar height is to set them to a position that does not cause strain on the lower back and shoulders.

Finally it is important to remember safety. Whether you are riding to lose weight or leisure, safety should always be observed. Make sure to wear reflective clothing, a helmet, and be sure that no lose clothing can get caught in the chain or spokes of the bike. Learning proper signaling and traffic rules will ensure the safest experience possible.