Since a cycle is only as good as the sum of its parts, when looking for cycling parts, choose wisely. The first cycling parts you need to consider are your tires, since they have a significant affect on traction, steering and braking. Clincher tires have a separate inner tube. When they are inflated, the tire clinches the rim while its inner edges are pressed against the rim walls. The majority of the road, mountain, BMX and freestyle bikes have clincher tires. Tubular tires have a sewn-in tube. The tire itself is glued onto a special edgeless rim. Tubular tires are used exclusively for high-end racing bikes.
In addition to selecting the right tires, think about finding a comfortable saddle (a.k.a. the seat). Saddles are available in many styles. Changing saddles is usually a relatively easy task. Although some padding is good, more is not always better. Padding usually consists of some form of gel or foam.
Some saddles have special gel-padded areas that are designed to combat male numbness. Women should definitely consider a female saddle. They are wider in back to accommodate women's generally wider pelvic structure. Their shorter nose is more accommodating to the female anatomy.
Braking systems are comprised of brake levers that are located on the handlebars. They are used by the rider to slow or stop the bike. Brake calipers squeeze against the rims to control the bike's speed. V-Brakes are a type of caliper brake that is used primarily on mountain and BMX bikes, while side-pull brakes are best suited to road and recreational bikes. Quality derailleurs are important for easy and accurate gear shifting.
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