Go Shop Bikes > Choosing a Mountain Bike

Mountain biking is a great hobby, it is fun, exhilarating and a great way to keep fit. It requires a great deal of endurance and strong control over the bike and gets you exploring the great outdoors. Mountain bikes are different from regular bikes, they tend to have a smaller frame and a much wider range of gears. Therefore, some special thought needs to be put in before you make a purchase.

It is important to make sure you buy a bike that is the right size for you, it is a common mistake to buy a mountain bike that is too big. Make sure you get a comfortable saddle as this can also often be overlooked. You should also consider what exactly you will use the bike for. If you are thinking of going for a leisurely ride through fields or perhaps woods you won`t need to spend too much. In contrast, if you are up for some serious mountain biking action you will need to consider getting a bike with more features such as suspension forks.

An important decision when choosing a mountain bike is whether you require hard tail or full suspension. Full suspension is likely to give you improved comfort when riding, however it is more expensive. If you are very serious about mountain biking full suspension is probably for you. However, for most individuals hard tail is acceptable.

If you are buying a cheaper bike, you should still make sure that some features are of high quality. For example, whatever bike you buy, it should have alloy rims and V type brakes. As a general rule the lighter the better, so avoid buying a heavy bike. If you are very serious about mountain biking and are willing to spend a lot, the best brands around include Trek and Specialised. These brands are reliable and have a strong reputation. Shimano tend to make some of the highest quality gears and wheels. Professional bikes often have K2 or Rocky Mountain frames.

When mountain biking it is also important to wear the right gear to ensure you wear fabrics that protect your body whilst allowing it to breathe. It is vital that you are comfortable whilst mountain biking and therefore it is advisable to buy specialist adventure clothing. Often adventure clothing is made from specific materials to ensure clothing is protective, water resistant, breathable and doesn't require ironing or special care. There are a few top manufactures that make this clothing using the latest technology for a reasonable price. These includes big brands such as Craghoppers and Regatta Clothing. You can also buy specific shoes to improve your mountain biking experiences from these and similar clothing brands. It is also vital to purchase accessories such as a helmet to ensure safety, as well as bike maintenance equipment to ensure your bike is always in a condition to ride safely in.