Mountain biking is taking off and there are lots of people looking for their first mountain bike. Getting the right bike can be THE thing that makes or brakes the start of your mountain biking career. But no pressure:). The problem heer are also mountain bike prices. Good mountain bikes are not cheap and not something that you just buy because you like the color and then buy another one if the first one doesn’t work the way you wanted it to. So getting the right mountain bike can be a bit overwhelming. There are so many different variables that influence how the bike works and as mentioned, there is the price.
It really helps if you have some friends with more mountain biking experience to help you with your purchase. But even in this case, when friends can help you, it also helps to at least somewhat understand what they are talking about. So here are a few buying tips and and a few factors that you should consider when making your first mountain bike purchase.
Price
This one is obvious. Your financial position will determine the amount that you can spend on a mountain bike. However, it would help if you remembered that getting the cheapest bikes out there is not the best idea. Lots of low-quality parts thrown together will not be able to withstand challenging terrains that mountain bikes face. This means lots of mechanical problems (solving these is not cheap) and shorter lifespan altogether. Riding comfort also suffers, so what’s the point in getting a cheap bike if you are not enjoying yourself riding it. A good bike will handle challenging terrain without falling apart, it will be light enough for climbing, breaks will give you confidence even on steep descends, suspension will turn rocks and roots into butter. In short – stay away from supermarket bikes and things like that. There are lots of established mtb brands that make really good bikes that are still affordable. GT mountain bikes are a good example.
If you want to save some money then a good used bike is better option than a cheap new bike.
The Type of Riding
Another important thing that you need to know before buying is the type of the riding that you will engage in. If we simplify things, you have two options. Downhill riding or trail riding. If you are buying a bike for local trails where you will pedal up using the power of your legs then you need a trail bike. If you want to save money on the bike and bike maintenance and if your local trails that you will be riding most are easy (smooth), you can even go with a hardtail. Hardtail is a bike that has no rear suspension.
If your riding is all about going downhill and going to bike parks, then you will want to get a downhill bike. Downhill bike has lots of suspension both on the front and in the rear. Lots of suspension means around 200mm or more. This enables the bike to go through the rough areas with ease. If more suspension makes the ride smoother, then why get a bike with less suspension at all? Because bikes with lots of suspension are not suitable for climbing.
If you want to go downhill and pedal up then enduro bikes are a good middle ground. The are full suspension bikes bit up to 180mm suspension that can handle rough terrain. And they are still made for climbing. They might not be as efficient for going uphill as hardtail bikes, but you will get up there.
A good advice here, if you are not sure what your riding style is, thy a few different bikes before you buy your own. To learn more about mountain bike riding styles and choosing your first bike check out our ultimate mountain biking beginners guide.
Size of the Wheel
These days mountain bikes come with two wheel sizes, 27.5 and 29 inch. If you are buying a used bike you will also see 26″ bikes but since they are becoming obsolete it might be hard to sell it later. Finding 26″ wheels, tubes and tires will also soon become harder. So the real choice is between 27.5 and 29 inch. If you are below average height or if you want your bike to be more playful (good for airs and sharp corners) then go for 27.5. If you are looking for a fast-moving mountain bike that rolls better over obstacles then go for one with 29 wheels. Also you can check tis article – why mountain bike wheel size matters.
Bike Pedals
There are two types of pedal systems you can choose for your mountain bike. They are flat or clipless pedals. It would be best to go for clipless pedals as they give you more efficiency and control of your bike during rotation. This enables you properly maneuver around the rough terrains. But they require some practice before you are comfortable with your feet being attached to the bike. Everyone falls down a few times when they are starting out with these pedals and they forget to clip out.
Final Words
To sum it up – try before you buy and consider buying a mountain bike from a renowned brand, not just any cheapest bike out there.