| With mountain biking being a very popular | | | | different riding styles and terrain types in |
| sport, there are many bikes to choose from. | | | | mind. You'll need to figure out what type of |
| Depending on what type of riding you like, | | | | riding you will be doing the most. |
| the style of bikes you can choose from will | | | | |
| vary. Below, you'll find tips on the | | | | Smooth riding, cross country racing, mountain |
| different types of bikes available. | | | | cruising, or lift accessed downhill is |
| | | | something you need to figure out. Make sure |
| 1. Cross country Almost all mountain bikes | | | | that the bike you select fits your personal |
| will fit into this category. Cross country | | | | style and not that of the sale's staff. |
| mountain bikes are light weight, making them | | | | |
| easy to ride over most terrains, even up and | | | | Full suspension or hard tail: |
| down hills. This is the most common mountain | | | | |
| bike and it can be used with ease for riding | | | | If you can afford it, a full suspension |
| on the path or even commuting. | | | | mountain bike is always worth the purchase. |
| | | | A hard tail, without rear suspension, is much |
| 2. Downhill These types of bikes are for | | | | lighter weight and pedal more efficiently, |
| serious bikers who crave the ultimate | | | | although full suspensions offer more comfort |
| adventure. Downhill bikes have front and | | | | and overall better control. |
| rear suspension, strong parts, and disc | | | | |
| brakes. Rarely available off the shelf, most | | | | You'll want to make that decision based on |
| riders like to custom build their own. | | | | your price range, riding style, and the type |
| | | | of terrain you'll be riding on the most. |
| 3. Trials Trail mountain biking involves a | | | | Finding your favorites: Comparing mountain |
| great degree of skill and is classified as | | | | bikes component to component is nearly |
| the precision riding of the sport. Similiar | | | | impossible, as there are far too many |
| to downhill bikes, trial riders will often | | | | combinations available. |
| build their own bikes rather than purchase | | | | |
| one off a shelf. Generally very light and | | | | The best way to go about doing this is |
| very strong, these bikes require a lot of | | | | finding a few components that are the most |
| discipline. | | | | important to you and making sure the rest or |
| | | | the minimums fall within your price range. |
| 4. Jump and slalom Slalom and jump bikes are | | | | You can start with the fork then look at the |
| very strong and designed for jumping, street | | | | wheels and rear derailleur. |
| racing, and slalom. They offer a front | | | | |
| suspension and use very strong components | | | | Sales and seasons: |
| dedicated to what they do. These bikes are | | | | |
| very popular with the sport of mountain | | | | During the year, the prices of mountain bikes |
| biking. | | | | can fluctuate quite a bit. Spring through |
| | | | summer is the main buying season. If you can |
| Even if you are new to mountain biking, the | | | | wait until the right price pops up, normally |
| sport can be a lot of fun. There are several | | | | in the fall and winter, you can save a couple |
| bikes to choose from, all of which depend on | | | | hundred dollars. |
| your style. If you are still looking for the | | | | |
| best style for you, all you have to do is try | | | | Many bike shops will also offer discounts or |
| out several bikes and see which one suites | | | | other accessories if you buy from them. |
| you the best. | | | | Finding a good dealer: Finding a good bike |
| | | | dealer is more important than finding the |
| Buying A Mountain Bike: | | | | best price. You should always find a dealer |
| | | | that cares more about selling you a great |
| It can be a bit frustrating as well as time | | | | bike than selling you a high priced one. A |
| consuming when you buy a mountain bike. | | | | great dealer will have a clean repair shop |
| Below, you'll find some tips and things to | | | | and give you the impression that you can |
| be aware of before you lay down the cash and | | | | really trust them. |
| buy a mountain bike. | | | | |
| | | | Test ride: |
| Determining your price: There is really no | | | | |
| limit as to how much money you can spend on a | | | | You should test ride as many bikes as you can |
| new mountain bike. To help you keep your | | | | within your price range and riding style. |
| spending under control, you should figure out | | | | You'll find that some bikes will feel right, |
| what your price range is and how much your | | | | while others won't. The more bikes you can |
| willing to pay for a new bike. | | | | test drive, you better you'll understand what |
| | | | works and what doesn't. |
| When you buy, you shouldn't buy from mass | | | | |
| merchant stores such as Wal-Mart. You should | | | | Doing the research: Product reviews and bike |
| instead support your local bike shop and get | | | | reviews are some of the best ways to find out |
| a much better bike and much better service. | | | | about a mountain bikes reliability and |
| | | | overall performance. You should always look |
| Finding your style: | | | | at what other owners and reviews think about |
| | | | a bike before you make that final purchase. |
| All mountain bikes are designed with several | | | | |