How to Buy a Mountain Bike

The first thing which you need to consider when you are buying a new mountain bike is how much you can afford to spend. Make no mistake, you can spend a lot of money on a mountain bike if you have the budget, so budget really is the first thing you need to determine. Decide what you can afford and stick to it, well, do your best anyway. The best idea is to visit your local mountain bike store really (“use them or lose them” as they say), as they should have loads to choose from, and ask to see the mountain bikes which are in your price range, no, they won’t laugh, well, not as long as you’re being realistic anyway. Don’t be tempted to wander towards the more expensive models, you know how dangerous that could be.

How to Buy the Right Type of Mountain Bike

If you’re pretty new to this mountain biking business, you might not realize that there are loads of other things which you need to decide upon too. They are not all the same! Styles differ depending on exactly what you will be doing with your new mountain bike, so you need to figure out what you’ll be doing mostly with yours – will you be riding along mostly smooth trails, racing cross country or jumping down the sides of mountains? Most beginners will probably be more interested in the smoother trails, but make sure that you try the style of mountain bike that will suit you and your riding style.

Mountain Bike Suspension

Some mountain bikes have full suspension (for added comfort) and others have suspension only on the front but the rear is hardtail. If you can afford full suspension I would definitely go for it, especially if you’re a beginner, you’re going to have enough trouble keeping your backside comfortable without shaking your bones to bits as well – you can actually make your teeth rattle, even if they’re not false.

Choosing a Mountain Bike

Right, you’ve got your budget, you know what you’ll be doing with it and you’ve decided on the suspension so that should have narrowed the field down a little, next you need to have a test ride if possible. You might not be able to take them far, but some mountain bikes might seem to “fit” you more. It’s a bit like driving a car really, some seem to fit you and others, for no apparent reason, feel a bit odd, so do try out as many as you can, after all, once you’ve bought your mountain bike you might be spending a lot of time together.

If you have any pals who are already into the mountain biking scene then it’s a good idea to take them along with you. Although the sales staff in the store should be able to give you lots of practical advice, the advice from your mates will be a little more impartial. It’s also a good idea to do a bit of research before you take the plunge. You’ll find loads of product reviews on the internet and be able to read about the experiences other people have had with the same mountain bikes – reliability, comfort, whether it was up to the job etc.

When to Buy a Mountain Bike

Last but not least, when you buy your mountain bike can also make a big difference. If you’re anything like me you’ll decide that you want one, and you want one now, but you will find that if you buy your mountain bike “off-season” you will be able to get a much better deal, maybe sale prices on last years models – who cares as long as it’s a good bike. Make sure that the bike is of good quality, not necessarily of a high price!

Mountain Bike Maintenance

Once you’ve bought your mountain bike there are just one or two things you need to know about bike maintenance . . .

Better do a pre-ride mountain bike inspection BEFORE setting off on your mountain bike, just to be sure that you’re not going to be let down halfway down the mountainside . . .

And last but certainly not least, a few tips about when you’re actually RIDING your mountain bike UP and DOWN a mountain . . .

And how to STOP . . . . Aaaaarrghhhhh!!!!! Crunch.

Be safe and have fun!