Mountain Bike Buying Guide - How to Buy Mountain Bikes
Owning your first Mountain Bike is probably the most exciting thing you can feel. But the problem is, you don't know what kind of bike you're going to get. You hear your friends telling you to get this brand and bike shops saying another. The trick is to sit down, relax, and figure out what you need. This is a bicycle buying guide you might want to check out before you buy a Mountain bike.
Budget, Intended Use and Upgrades
First thing you must do before buying a bike is to set your budget. Entry-level bikes would set you back around $250-$300. Of course, high-end Mountain Bikes could cost as much as $5,000.
Narrow down your budget range by determining what kind of Mountain Biking you want, would really help a lot. You wouldn't need a full-suspension Mountain Bike if you are just going to use it to go to the grocery. Neither should you buy a $250 out-of-the-rack Mountain Bike and go cross-country biking and downhill racing with it. Usage would definitely help in fixing your budget and getting the right bike.
Another thing, you should look for are the Mountain Bike parts. Mountain Bike parts may be upgraded anytime. Parts may be upgraded one by one or as a groupset. If you're a beginner and you would want a Mountain Bike that would look nice and go the distance, a mid-range bike of around $1,500-$2,000 would be ok. At that price, you can get a good Mountain Bike with front suspension and good groupset. As you improve in your skills, so can your Mountain Bike by buying more and more additional bike parts.
When budget is not even the question, by all means, buy the best bike your money can buy. You won't regret it!
Mountain Bike Frame Sizing
Size is probably the most important thing that one should consider in buying a Mountain Bike. A Mountain Bike Frame is considerably smaller than your average road bike frame. A general rule is to get a Mountain Bike Frame that is approx. 3 inches smaller than your road bike. An easier way is to put the bike in between your legs. Let the tip of the saddle touch the lower part of your back. Lift the front wheels until the top tube touches your crouch. The front wheel should be 7-13 cm. of the ground. The Mountain Bike Frames are the most important since comfort and ability to ride your bikes will depend on these. Small adjustments are possible by adjusting the length of stem, height and angle of seat post, etc. By the way, don't forget to check for dents or chips on the paint. You wouldn't want to get a bike that has been banged up.
Mountain Bike Saddle Compatibility
Mountain Bikers should consider the type of saddle. This is very important since it is something that you will be seating on for a good 2 hours when going out for a ride. Be it on a trail or on a road. The type of bike saddle that will be coming with the bike should also be placed into consideration. Does the saddle feel good? If not, it would be better to just replace the saddle with a better one. Don't compromise on your saddle. For women, be sure to have a saddle that is made specifically for women. Women's saddles are wider and offer more support.
Mountain Bike Shifting System
Before riding out of the store with your new Mountain Bike, be sure to comprehensively check the shifting of the gear. Run through all the gear ratios and see if it shifts smoothly without hesitation. Pedal also for a time to see if it doesn't shift while pedalling without you touching the shifters. Also make sure that the cables are caped at the end. See if the limiting screws are adjusted correctly so you won't accidentally shift off the chainring or cog. Lastly, invest high-end rear derailleur coupled with good shifters. This is the part that needs more precise shifting than the front.
Brakes
Check the brakes if they work. You must be able to lock the wheels using two fingers the most. If v-brakes are installed, check the alignment of the pads. See that they do not touch the rims while it rotates. Check also if the pads are of equal distance from the rim.
Wheels
Spin the mountain bike wheels and look at the brake pads or one side of the fork. See if the distance between the two stays constant. If it isn't then it is not aligned. Have the shop align it for you. This should be for free. Check the tires as well. They should have very, very minimal or no wear at all.
Suspension
The Front Suspension is found in the fork of a Mountain Bike. Basically, it provides front suspension action. Rear Suspension Systems are available on full suspension Mountain Bikes. It is incorporated onto the frame and gives additional comfort during an off-road ride. Choosing the right kind of Mountain Bike Suspension is very important. Here are things to keep in mind when choosing suspensions:
- Amount of travel your suspension has. This could be in the range of 1-4 inches depending on the type of suspension the Mountain Bike has.
- Design of rear suspension system - there are different designs of rear suspensions with different riding characteristics. Be sure to test ride the bike so you know how it feels.
- Adjustments - It would be nice to have adjustable suspension systems. This way, you and your bike will be able to adjust on the different types of terrain.
We have listed the things that you need to consider on how to buy a bike. Consider the options above to help you in choosing your own Mountain Bike. Always remember that performance and quality is of utmost importance.
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