| Purchasing a mountain bike can be very | | | | components are the ones that you cannot live |
| overwhelming and can consume quite a bit of | | | | without and then compare based on this to |
| your extra time if you are not prepared. This | | | | find the bike that meets your needs and your |
| article contains some hints that will help to | | | | budget. In this way, you will not be paying |
| make the process of buying a mountain bike | | | | for a lot of components that you do not feel |
| less frustrating. | | | | are important. |
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| Your Mountain Bike Budget | | | | Watch For Seasonal Sales |
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| You can spend thousands of dollars on a | | | | You will find that mountain bike prices can |
| mountain bike if you want to, but for most of | | | | go up and down quite a bit over the course of |
| us, we have to set a budget so that we do not | | | | a year. The main time that mountain bikes are |
| overspend. To do this, you need to determine | | | | purchased is during the spring and summer. If |
| how much that you can afford to spend and | | | | you can wait until it grows colder during the |
| then stick with that budgeted amount. You | | | | fall and winter, then you can save quite a |
| will get much better service and a better | | | | bit of money. Local bike shops may even offer |
| bike if you purchase from a bike shop, rather | | | | incentives on other components if you |
| than a mass-merchandiser like Wal-Mart. If | | | | purchase a mountain bike from them, rather |
| you stick you're your budget, then you will | | | | than from a mass-merchandiser. |
| be much happier with your purchase in the | | | | |
| long run. | | | | Locating the Right Dealer |
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| What Style Of Bike? Mountain bikes come in | | | | Even more important than the cheapest price |
| several different designs that correspond to | | | | is finding a trustworthy dealer to buy your |
| the different terrains that you might be | | | | bike from. You can always find a good price, |
| riding on and your particular riding style. | | | | but it is hard to find a bike shop that |
| You first need to determine where you will be | | | | offers you good service and information that |
| riding your mountain bike the most. Are you | | | | is more relating to your bike riding than |
| going to be mountain cruising, smooth riding, | | | | their sales. If you find one, then you need |
| cross-country racing, or doing lift accessed | | | | to support them in your purchasing. |
| downhill riding? Determining this will enable | | | | |
| to salesman at the bike shop to help you find | | | | Take a Test Ride |
| the right bike for you and your needs. | | | | |
| | | | Test ride the bikes the fit your budget and |
| Hard Tail or Full Suspension? If your budget | | | | your particular riding style to find the bike |
| will allow it, you will want to choose a full | | | | that has the right fit for you. You will know |
| suspension bike. The hard tail bike that | | | | when a bike feels right. The more bikes that |
| comes without suspension in the rear will | | | | you test out, the easier it will be to make |
| weigh less and allow you to get more | | | | this decision. |
| efficiency from your pedaling, but a full | | | | |
| suspension bike will be more comfortable and | | | | Research, Research, Research |
| easier to control. This decision will be | | | | |
| determined by your budget, the terrain that | | | | Reading mountain bike reviews and other |
| you will be riding on, and your particular | | | | product reviews will help you to learn more |
| style of riding. | | | | about your choices and the pros and cons of |
| | | | them. Reading mountain bike reviews that are |
| Your Favorite Things | | | | written by other owners will help you to |
| | | | determine the right bike for you and your |
| When you begin trying to compare mountain | | | | needs. Researching is the best way to make |
| bikes using components, you will quickly find | | | | the most of your mountain bike budget. |
| that it will be overwhelming. Determine what | | | | |