| OK I admit it. The last time I rode a bike regularly it | | | | harder work. Take advice on suspension for front |
| was a "sit up and beg" bike with my schoolbooks on | | | | and rear forks. If every bit of the bike has separate |
| the back. I don't even want to think how long ago | | | | suspension you can find you never stop bouncing up |
| that was. | | | | and down. |
| So it is a bit daunting to walk into a cycle shop and | | | | Bikes for this kind of use are variously called hybrid, |
| see how much everything has changed. But I have | | | | comfort or track and trail depending in the supplier. |
| committed to do more cycling as a result of my | | | | Some even come with an extra light frame. |
| joining a group of women going wild outdoors, and | | | | For rough terrain - you need a mountain bike. The 4 |
| my employer offering to knock 45% off the price | | | | x 4 of the bike world. These are rugged bikes that |
| off a new bike. So I really need to decide what I | | | | will handle almost any ground; wide, knobbly tires that |
| want. | | | | won't puncture too easily on rough ground and lots |
| So What Have I Found Out? | | | | of gears for the hills. |
| Most importantly,many more bikes are specifically | | | | Mountain bikes can be split into two main groups :- |
| designed for women's needs and natural body shape. | | | | hard-tails that only have suspension at the front and |
| This means bikes now cater for the natural cycling | | | | full-suspension bikes that have suspension at the rear |
| position women adopt so it is comfortable and | | | | as well. Mountain bike suspension has been designed |
| efficient to cycle this way. | | | | to absorb the shocks from riding over uneven terrain. |
| Secondly, make sure you start with the right overall | | | | It aids traction over difficult loose surfaces and helps |
| frame size and then that there are enough adjustable | | | | you to control the bike. If you aren't trying anything |
| bits - e.g. height of handle bars and saddle stem will | | | | too challenging a hard-tail bike will provide enough |
| mean a more comfortable ride. Saddles are also | | | | suspension. If you fancy venturing into more |
| incredibly important. Women's saddles are shorter and | | | | extreme trail riding then full-suspension can make the |
| wider than men's will a less pronounced "nose" and | | | | experience more comfortable and more exciting. |
| wider at the back. They are also more padded and | | | | For longer journeys on smoother surfaces - either |
| some have cutouts to relieve pressure on tender | | | | touring bikes or road bikes. Touring bikes are |
| areas | | | | designed for load carrying and all day comfort. If you |
| Thirdly, be clear what you plan to use your bike for- | | | | want to enjoy cycling holidays this may well be the |
| before you go into the shops. This may seem | | | | bike for you. Touring bikes are often equipped with |
| obvious but there is so much choice, that unless you | | | | low gear ratios to cope with carrying the extra |
| have a clear idea what you want it is easy to get | | | | weight of luggage. |
| something else. | | | | Or finally race bikes - really light with the skinny tires |
| Here are a few tips to help:- | | | | and droopy handlebars that you see on the Tour de |
| For short distances on roads - something of medium | | | | France. These are designed for those who love the |
| weight with small wheels and tyres of medium width | | | | thrill of speed, for going really fast on smooth roads, |
| and tread will be fine. Buying a bike that folds up | | | | to handle smoothly, climb and accelerate rapidly and |
| means you can even take it on the train for part of | | | | corner fast. |
| the journey and cycle the rest. | | | | Think about what you want; choose carefully and |
| For cycle paths -wider tires with a bit more tread are | | | | don't be bamboozled by salesmen! |
| ideal. But not too much. More tread means more grip, | | | | Mine's going to be a hybrid! |
| but when you are on the road that can make cycling | | | | |