| Getting the proper sized bike for your body | | | | between the rear and front suspension units, |
| and riding style can make a big difference in | | | | which will help them work more efficiently |
| how much you enjoy riding and how comfortable | | | | and in tune with each other. |
| your bike is. Personnel at your local bike | | | | |
| ship can help you to find the correct bike | | | | You can accomplish this quite simply by |
| for your riding style and your body. | | | | choosing to use either a shorter or higher |
| Consider the hints that are below, and your | | | | step to help raise the height of your hands. |
| bike will be the perfect size for you. | | | | This will help to move the height of the |
| | | | upper part of your body up and it will move |
| Standover Height If you need to determine | | | | the weight towards the rear of the bike. |
| how the bike fits yourself, then the most | | | | This increase should be no greater than two |
| important thing that you will need to | | | | inches, so that the reach difference is no |
| consider is your inseam clearance. Make sure | | | | more than two inches. |
| that there is enough space in the area | | | | |
| between the top tube and your own body when | | | | Take a Test Ride After you have considered |
| you stop the bike. You want there to be | | | | each of these points, then it is time to take |
| clearance of about four to six inches from | | | | a test ride on your bike. It is important to |
| your inseam top to the top tube top. | | | | wear your helmet, even while testing. Make |
| | | | sure that your tires are inflated to the |
| Feet and Leg Position Determining the proper | | | | right tire pressure and that the bike has |
| leg position for riding your mountain bike is | | | | been properly adjusted for your body. Then |
| simple to do. It is important that you find | | | | you are ready. |
| the right position for your legs, because you | | | | |
| constantly have to shift your position on the | | | | An employee from the bicycle shop should |
| seat, due to terrain changes. | | | | watch you when you are riding to make sure |
| | | | that the position and ride height is correct |
| Due to the changes in terrain and the | | | | for you. If not, then you may need some |
| constant shifting, you will want to position | | | | additional adjustments. You should start |
| the saddle of your bicycle a little lower | | | | your riding slowly and then gradually speed |
| than you normally would if you were riding a | | | | up when you get a better feel for the bike. |
| different bike. It is important that you | | | | |
| consider this lower position when you | | | | After you have ridden the bike for a while, |
| determine what size frame that you will need. | | | | then you may find that something seems off |
| | | | about the bike or it is not working right. |
| Riding Compartment One thing that you will | | | | If this occurs, then you want to have the |
| want to think about and look at is the | | | | problem corrected before you decide not to |
| compartment layout for the rider. This is | | | | purchase the bike. It may be a simple |
| the distance that is located between the | | | | adjustment that can make it into the bike of |
| handlebars and the bicycle saddle. After you | | | | your dreams. |
| have determined the proper extension for your | | | | |
| legs, you will want to ensure that the | | | | The greater number of bikes that you try out, |
| handlebars are one or two inches lower than | | | | the simpler that you will find it is to |
| the saddle height. The handlebars should | | | | determine the similarities and differences in |
| never be at a great height than the height of | | | | the types. It may take up to several years |
| the seat, unless you have a problem with your | | | | or just a few weeks for you to gain a greater |
| upper body. | | | | appreciation for the handling of a particular |
| | | | bike. Talk to other bike riders to get |
| Dual Suspension Bicycles You want to make | | | | recommendations and hints. This will help |
| sure that the weight of your body is | | | | you gain more knowledge concerning locating |
| concentrated more in the center of the bike | | | | the right mountain bike for your particular |
| to make sure that it is distributed equally | | | | body and riding style. |