What To Consider When Buying A Mountain Bike
There is no doubt that mountain biking is one of the most popular sports of today. It’s a recreation choice for people of all ages, sizes and abilities. And why shouldn’t it be? It’s fun, healthy, and a great way to see the outdoors.
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.
The first thing you should decide on is your price range. You can spend a few hundred or a few thousand dollars on a bike. To keep things under control you should determine your price range and look at bikes within that range.
Second, you need to know your riding preferences. Will you ride off road or mostly on paved surfaces? Will you need full suspension, front suspension or no suspension at all? There are different types of bikes for different purposes. You have downhill, freeride, all mountain, cross country and trail bikes.
One of the most important part of buying a new bike is choosing the right size. If the bike doesn’t fit you, you will be uncomfortable and won’t feel safe. Sizes usually refer to the frame sizes. Here are the most common frame sizes depending on your height: 17″ is for people between 5’4″ and 5’11″, 19″ for those between 5’11″ and 6’2″, and 21″ and up are for people that are 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.