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