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