| With mountain biking being a very popular sport, there | | | | riding styles and terrain types in mind. You'll need to |
| are many bikes to choose from. Depending on what | | | | figure out what type of riding you will be doing the |
| type of riding you like, the style of bikes you can | | | | most. |
| choose from will vary. Below, you'll find tips on the | | | | Smooth riding, cross country racing, mountain cruising, |
| different types of bikes available. | | | | or lift accessed downhill is something you need to |
| 1. Cross country Almost all mountain bikes will fit into | | | | figure out. Make sure that the bike you select fits your |
| this category. Cross country mountain bikes are light | | | | personal style and not that of the sale's staff. |
| weight, making them easy to ride over most terrains, | | | | Full suspension or hard tail: |
| even up and down hills. This is the most common | | | | If you can afford it, a full suspension mountain bike is |
| mountain bike and it can be used with ease for riding | | | | always worth the purchase. A hard tail, without rear |
| on the path or even commuting. | | | | suspension, is much lighter weight and pedal more |
| 2. Downhill These types of bikes are for serious bikers | | | | efficiently, although full suspensions offer more comfort |
| who crave the ultimate adventure. Downhill bikes have | | | | and overall better control. |
| front and rear suspension, strong parts, and disc | | | | You'll want to make that decision based on your price |
| brakes. Rarely available off the shelf, most riders like | | | | range, riding style, and the type of terrain you'll be riding |
| to custom build their own. | | | | on the most. Finding your favorites: Comparing |
| 3. Trials Trail mountain biking involves a great degree | | | | mountain bikes component to component is nearly |
| of skill and is classified as the precision riding of the | | | | impossible, as there are far too many combinations |
| sport. Similiar to downhill bikes, trial riders will often build | | | | available. |
| their own bikes rather than purchase one off a shelf. | | | | The best way to go about doing this is finding a few |
| Generally very light and very strong, these bikes | | | | components that are the most important to you and |
| require a lot of discipline. | | | | making sure the rest or the minimums fall within your |
| 4. Jump and slalom Slalom and jump bikes are very | | | | price range. You can start with the fork then look at |
| strong and designed for jumping, street racing, and | | | | the wheels and rear derailleur. |
| slalom. They offer a front suspension and use very | | | | Sales and seasons: |
| strong components dedicated to what they do. These | | | | During the year, the prices of mountain bikes can |
| bikes are very popular with the sport of mountain | | | | fluctuate quite a bit. Spring through summer is the main |
| biking. | | | | buying season. If you can wait until the right price pops |
| Even if you are new to mountain biking, the sport can | | | | up, normally in the fall and winter, you can save a |
| be a lot of fun. There are several bikes to choose | | | | couple hundred dollars. |
| from, all of which depend on your style. If you are still | | | | Many bike shops will also offer discounts or other |
| looking for the best style for you, all you have to do is | | | | accessories if you buy from them. Finding a good |
| try out several bikes and see which one suites you the | | | | dealer: Finding a good bike dealer is more important |
| best. | | | | than finding the best price. You should always find a |
| Buying A Mountain Bike: | | | | dealer that cares more about selling you a great bike |
| It can be a bit frustrating as well as time consuming | | | | than selling you a high priced one. A great dealer will |
| when you buy a mountain bike. Below, you'll find some | | | | have a clean repair shop and give you the impression |
| tips and things to be aware of before you lay down | | | | that you can really trust them. |
| the cash and buy a mountain bike. | | | | Test ride: |
| Determining your price: There is really no limit as to | | | | You should test ride as many bikes as you can within |
| how much money you can spend on a new mountain | | | | your price range and riding style. You'll find that some |
| bike. To help you keep your spending under control, | | | | bikes will feel right, while others won't. The more bikes |
| you should figure out what your price range is and | | | | you can test drive, you better you'll understand what |
| how much your willing to pay for a new bike. | | | | works and what doesn't. |
| When you buy, you shouldn't buy from mass merchant | | | | Doing the research: Product reviews and bike reviews |
| stores such as Wal-Mart. You should instead support | | | | are some of the best ways to find out about a |
| your local bike shop and get a much better bike and | | | | mountain bikes reliability and overall performance. You |
| much better service. | | | | should always look at what other owners and reviews |
| Finding your style: | | | | think about a bike before you make that final purchase. |
| All mountain bikes are designed with several different | | | | |