Mountain biking is one of the most popular sports today. Whether you’re doing it alone, with a friend or with a whole family, you are bound to have tons of fun. Not to mention it’s healthy for you.

Many times when people look for a new bike they have trouble choosing the right one. With so many manufacturers, brands, different types, shapes, sizes, it’s no wonder they have problems. In this article we will try to explain what’s important to know when buying a new bike.

First, you need to decide how much you’re willing to spend on your new bike. Determine your price and try to look only at bikes within that range. Quality and prices can vary greatly, but always remember, you get what you pay for.

Next, you need to know what kind of riding will you do. There are different types of bikes designed for different terrains and riding styles. The main question is – where will you ride? Off road or mostly on paved surfaces. Full suspension, front suspension, or no suspension?

The next important thing is choosing the correct size. Size matters. If the bike doesn’t fit you, it will ruin all the fun. Bikes are generally measured in frame size (inches). Depending on your height you should be able to determine what size frame will suit you. Most common sizes are: 17″ (for people between 5′4″ to 5′11″), 19″ (5′11″ to 6′2″), and 21″ and up (taller than 6′2″).

When to buy? If you can, try to avoid the main buying season from spring through summer. The best time to buy is September because that is when next year’s models usually come out. When this happens the prices for older models typical drop.

After you bought yourself a wonderful bike, don’t forget about biking gear. For safety and comfort you should also get a helmet, gloves, glasses, water bottle and biking shorts.

In price sensitive times such as these buying a used mountain bike is a great way for beginners to get into the fantastic world of mountain biking and for seasoned pros to keep participating in the sport they love. There are literally thousands of mountain bikes available so which one is right for you? My five essential tips will help you out.

Figure out what type of cyclist you aspire to be. Mountain bikes typically fall into one of the following categories: All Terrain Trail Bikes, Downhill (DH), Cross Country (XC), and Freeride.

A freeride bike is great for hard terrain such as indoors or pavement and perfect for tricks, skill, and hard terrain. Forget about freeride though if you plan to spend most of your time riding along flat terrain as they are fairly heavy bikes. Cross Country bikes (XC) are great for efficiency because of their lightweight construction. Avoid XC bikes though if you plan on riding over rough terrain where comfort is more of a requirement. For downhill racing look at Downhill bikes which are specifically made for this great aspect of mountain biking.

If you are starting out a well made All Terrain bike will be a great way to get the most out of your local trails. As you get more proficient and have experienced much of what mountain biking has to offer then that will be a great time to buy a more specialised mountain bike.

Arguably one of the most common questions is Hardtail or Full Suspension? Hardtails bikes have just rear suspension and consequently less moving parts and you can save money by buying one. However Full Suspension bikes have front and rear suspension and offer far much more comfort to the beginning cyclist by being kinder to your bottom.

Ask around at your local bike dealer or online forums to find out what mountain bike trails are local to you as this can affect what mountain bike you buy. For example, if there are no downhill trails nearby you will want to avoid Downhill bikes.

Once you have decided what type of mountain bike you want consider buying a used mountain bike. Not only will you save money and be able to buy the additional safety gear such as a bike helmet and pads, but you will also be able to buy a bike that was previously out of your price range. Finally have fun, mountain bike is a fantastically accessible sport open to all and a great way to get fit.

The Bike Frame

Getting A Correct Bike Frame

There are a lot of things to factor in for a successful bike ride, whether it’s something you do every day or only once. The bike has many different parts to it, but your bike frame is the most important part. Although the geometry of the bike frame may get changed by the frame manufacturers when they want a different look, there are still some measurements that can’t be changed or messed with. If you’re new to cycling, you’re not really going to care all that much about fancy frames. However, if you’re an old pro at cycling and have been doing it for years, you may have an interest in the different styles of frames. Just recently I was contacted by a reader asking why bicycle articles never go into detail about frames. So, I thought I’d spend a little time discussing frames.

The Difference in Frames

There are more differences to bike frames than just the color. Although most of us make a selection based on color, there are many other variations that can be found in bicycle frames. For instance, the Orbea Orca frame and the Trek Madone frame have many differences between them. Some of the differences we tend to forget about are the overall frame geometry, tube lengths, frame angles, etc. The reason these items are seldom listed or discussed is because when it comes right down to it, when you get your bike frame, you’re going to have to be the one looking at it for a long time so you better like the color and design.

Basic Geometry of the Bike Frame

The basic geometry of the bike frame consists of the size of the chain stays, the distance between the bottom bracket axle and the back wheel axle, and the distance between the front wheel and the bottom bracket. These areas are the same for all bikes and are the basics of how they’re made and cannot be changed or the handling of the bike will be affected.

Another Important Dimension

The seat tube length is designed to fit the rider and can be adjusted by using a long seat pin to adjust the height of the saddle. The angle of the seat will be dependent on the frame size or, at least this is the case with factory made frames. The smaller the bike frame, the steeper the seat tube will angle. This may need to be adjusted for taller or shorter riders, however. The more relaxed the angle is, the more comfortable of a rider there is going to be.

Read full articles about bicycle geometry and bicycles available at this web.

Today, mountain biking is extremely popular all around the world and still increasing in popularity. It’s fun, enjoyable, exciting and it keeps you in good physical shape. What’s there not to like?

Of course, with popularity comes more choice, but with so many manufacturers and brands and types and whatnot around, it has become quite a complicated task to choose the right mountain bike. Hopefully, this article will help.

What type of bike should I get? This is a very important question, because bikes are made for different terrains and types of riding. There are 3 main categories to choose from – downhill/freeride, cross country, and all-mountain. Do you need full suspension, or will the front suspension do ok?

The second step is choosing the size. Size is important and you must get a bike that fits you. Here is a general guide depending on your height: 15″ bikes or less are for people shorter than 5′4″, 17″ normally fits people that are between 5′4″ and 5′11″, 19″ are for people between 5′11″ and 6′2″, and 21″ and up are for people taller than 6′2″.

You can spend a lot of money on a mountain bike, so it’s good to have your budget set before buying. You don’t want to spend more than is necessary, but you don’t want to be cheap either. Remember, you get what you pay for. The best time to buy is in the fall when next year’s models come out. When new stock arrives, old stock is cleared and prices drop.

The goal is to get the highest quality bike in your price range. You should look carefully at the bike’s components like brakes, brake levers, shift levers, derailleurs and so on. If you think that a full-suspension bicycle for $150 is a quality bike, think again. With poor-quality components you won’t get very far.

Biking gear is also essential. Don’t forget a helmet, water bottle, speedometer, gloves, glasses and a decent pair of padded biking shorts. Trust me, your behind will be thankful.