Contents
- 1 SIX TIPS FOR BUYING YOUR FIRST MOUNTAIN BIKE
- 1.1 1. Choose which modality you want to practice
- 1.2 2. Look for the right frame size
- 1.3 3. Select the braking system
- 1.4 4. Determine the suspension you need to own
- 1.5 5. Invest in the elements you need
- 1.6 6. If you are going to buy second-hand bikes, check them out to be sure it is not stolen
- 1.7 Best Mountain Bikes – Top Rated by Amazon
- 2 Share
- 3 About Post Author
SIX TIPS FOR BUYING YOUR FIRST MOUNTAIN BIKE
You have decided to purchase Mountain Bikes. You go to some stores and discover that there is a world of bicycles, brands, styles, colors. You don’t know what you want or need.
1. Choose which modality you want to practice
The first thing you must do is to define the style or pattern of the MTB you wish to exercise. Many of us want an all-terrain bike. But if you have decided to do mountain biking, it will be necessary to have a suitable bicycle.
If you are starting mountain biking, we recommend you buy a bicycle according to your economic possibilities, and that also allows you to learn and have a pleasant experience in the mountains.
If you decide to venture into mountain biking, we recommend that your first bike be one for the XC or Trail mode.
The bicycles for XC found with front suspension and some with double suspension, not larger than 110mm. These bicycles are composed of an aluminum frame. The geometry and configuration of this bicycle are designed to have a more comfortable position to climb.
Trail bikes are double suspension, and their routes vary between 120mm and 140mm. The geometry of this bicycle is a mixture for both going up and down comfortably.
But if you want to enter to practice Downhill, for example, the idea is to do it with a bicycle suitable for this purpose. Remember, it doesn’t have to be the best or the most expensive, but it is designed for this discipline (or the one you decide to practice) to have a better experience.

2. Look for the right frame size
One of the biggest mistakes we should do when buying our first bike is to choose an inappropriate size for us. If the bike is too big or too small, we will not be able to realize the potential of our purchase. We know many people who were convinced by the seller to take another size.
The brands have sizes, but use inches and, are based on the distance of the tube height, the vertical frame. We believe that only our height is what will define our size, but it is not entirely true, since some people may have longer trunks and legs short. Therefore, the actual measurement for selecting our size must be the length of our crotch.
Formula to get an approximation properly to your size:
T = frame size (in inches)
L = crotch length (in centimeters)
A = seat height (in centimeters)
Picture size
T = L x 0.22 (you will get the frame size in inches)
Saddle seat
A = L x 0.885 (you will get the seat height in centimeters)
3. Select the braking system
In mountain biking, the brakes are critical. However, these will ask us for more force to tighten the levers and brake in time. These brakes are complicated for us. Another disadvantage of a v-brake is when rolling on wet or muddy terrain, both the shoes and the wheel get wet or muddy, affecting the braking. Besides, other disadvantages of V-brake breaks are when you need to remove the tires from your bike; you will have to adjust the shoe every time it is centered and adjusted.
Bicycles transform in price depending on the disc brake. They have either mechanical or hydraulic.
As for a mountain biker, I consider that hydraulic disc brakes are quite comfortable and efficient when braking. They offer us less pressure force on the levers, and even these have an adjustment button to zoom in and out depending on the length of our hand. Another great advantage is that you should spend less money when you buy it with them. Moreover, you will be avoiding changing your mechanical brakes for hydraulic ones in a short time and will not be paying the retail price.
4. Determine the suspension you need to own
The suspension is another factor that changes from one bicycle to another and will depend on the type of terrain on which you are constantly going to roll or the mode you select. The first thing you should know is there are two types of suspensions:
· Spring suspensions
· Air suspensions
The spring suspensions are formed internally by a spring that will make them work. The air suspensions bring a cartridge loaded with air at a certain. The most basic bicycles will bring spring suspensions while they go up the range.
Both suspensions work to cushion the bumpy road and absorb impacts. However, the air ones have a detailed configuration for different handling to blocking or releasing the suspension. While the spring suspension only has to lock or open the suspension system.
As we have mentioned previously, if you want to go up or go down, a good alternative is a bicycle for XC, with only front suspension. You can choose between 80mm and 110mm. It is necessary to consider that if we are going mainly to roll in flat territories, the rear suspension will penalize the pedaling, which moves into a more significant physical effort.
If your land is more rugged and you also like both up and down, we recommend a trail bike. You can identify the trail bikes because most are double suspensions with a distance between 120mm and 140mm. Besides, a great advantage of investing in this bicycle is that you will not have to change your bike in a good time and you can improve the components if possible.
5. Invest in the elements you need
It is essential to know how to invest our money when purchasing a bicycle. The variation in the price of a mountain bike depends on the quality of its components.
As usual, the low ranges (the cheapest ones) bring components that use plastic materials in their structure, which will make wear faster and to break in case of misuse or a direct hit on the element.
We recommend you not to look for anything too complicated or superior. On the other hand, it is convenient to verify and find out what components your future bike brings.
6. If you are going to buy second-hand bikes, check them out to be sure it is not stolen
Bicycle theft is on the increase, and the world of mountain biking has also been immersed in this problem. Many stolen mountain bikes are sold on sales websites, markets. We hope you do not support the trade of stolen bicycles.
If you buy a second-hand bicycle, you must ask or know where the bike comes from. Ask the seller for the sales note or an invoice where its specifications go, ask him why he sells it. Verify that the serial number (usually in the frame, in the center axle box) is not erased or carved. If the price is too low, ask all these questions related to it. If you don’t know how to investigate the bike’s membership with a note, ask him to show you pictures of the bike (of course, we all have pictures of our bike). Last but not least, it will depend on your criteria.
Best Mountain Bikes – Top Rated by Amazon
By top-rated from Amazon, we would like to recommend the best-rated products in the Mountain Bikes store. Look at the table of mountain bikes below to find the best solution for your ride. Click on the Amazon Best Sellers in Best Mountain Bikes
Diamondback Bicycles Overdrive Hardtail Mountain Bike with 27.5" Wheels, 18"/Medium, Red | Shop now at Amazon.com | |
Mongoose Hitch Mens All-Terrain Fat Tire Mountain Bike, 7 Speed Drivetrain, 26-inch Wheels, 4-Inch Wide Tires, Front and Rear Disc Brakes, Red | Shop now at Amazon.com | |
Huffy Hardtail Mountain Bike, Stone Mountain, 24 inch 21-Speed, Lightweight, Purple (74818) | Shop now at Amazon.com | |
Schwinn Bonafide Mens Mountain Bike, Front Suspension, 24-Speed, 29-Inch Wheels, 17-Inch Aluminum Frame, Matte Black/Red | Shop now at Amazon.com | |
Vilano Blackjack 3.0 29er Mountain Bike MTB with 29-Inch Wheels | Shop now at Amazon.com | |
OBK 27.5 Wheels Mountain Bike Daul Disc Brakes 21 Speed Mens Bicycle Front Suspension MTB | Shop now at Amazon.com | |
Schwinn S29 Mens Mountain Bike, 29-Inch Wheels, 18-Inch/Medium Aluminum Frame, Dual-Suspension, Mechanical Disc Brakes, Multiple Colors | Shop now at Amazon.com | |
Huffy Hardtail Mountain Trail Bike 24 inch, 26 inch, 27.5 inch | Shop now at Amazon.com | |
Mongoose Impasse Mens Mountain Bike, 29-Inch Wheels, Aluminum Frame, Twist Shifters, 21-Speed Rear Deraileur, Front and Rear Disc Brakes, Multiple Colors | Shop now at Amazon.com | |
Eurobike Mountain Bike G7 21 Speed Folding Bike Dual Disc Brake 27.5 Inches Wheel Dual Suspension Bicycle | Shop now at Amazon.com |
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