A Quick Overview On How To Buy A Mountain Bike

June 30th, 2009 posted by Guest Author

In the last decade, mountain biking exploded in popularity. It’s healthy, fun, exciting, and a wonderful way to see the outdoors and keep you fit. It’s enjoyed all over the world by people of all ages, sizes and fitness levels.

Naturally, more demand brings more choices. Today, when there is so many manufacturers, brands, types, shapes and sizes, it can be quite difficult to choose a bike that suits you the best. Hopefully, this short guide will help you out.

What type of bike should I get? This is a very important question, because bikes are made for different terrains and types of riding. There are 3 main categories to choose from – downhill/freeride, cross country, and all-mountain. Do you need full suspension, or will the front suspension do ok?

What size bike do I need? Simply put, you need a bike that fits you. Never buy a bike that doesn’t fit you. Common sizes are: 15″ or less (for people shorter than 5′4″), 17″ (for people between 5′4″ and 5′11″), 19″ (for people between 5′11″ and 6′2″), and 21″ and up (for people taller than 6′2″).

When you’re buying a new bike, you probably want a decent-quality bike that will keep you happy for awhile. Something not to expensive and not to cheap either. You must know that during the year prices can notably fluctuate. The best time to buy is September, because next year’s models come out and prices go down.

There are many different parts of a bike. When looking for quality you have to check out the frame material, quality of the important components such as brakes, derailleurs, shift levers, suspension fork, and so on. As always, you get what you pay for, so don’t be to cheap. A full-suspension bike for less than $200 is not quality.

When you eventually buy a bike, don’t forget on other important pieces of biking gear – helmet, water bottle, tire pump, bike shorts (your behind will be grateful), gloves and glasses.

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