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