Tips for Buying a Mountain Bike

When you finally decide you want to buy a mountain bike; you may find it will be more time consuming and frustrating than you expected. You'll find some handy advice and tips below, which will help you before you pay one red cent for a mountain bike.

Probably the biggest determination for buying a mountain bike will be the price you're wiling to pay, to obtain the mountain bike. It is important you already have a price range in your mind, before you even take one step in a mountain bike store. When you purchase a mountain bike, it's best to stay away from big, retail chain, outlet stores, such as Wal-Mart. You'll find that you'll get much better service and advice at a local mountain bike specialty store.

How to find your style mountain bike

Manufacturers of mountain bikes create their bikes for different types of riding styles and various terrain types. To find what style of mountain bike will suit you best; you will have to determine what type of riding you're going to be doing, for the majority of the time. For example, will you be doing smooth riding, cross country racing, mountain cruising, or lift accessed downhill riding? Again, the type of riding you think you'll be doing the most of, should be figured out before you even step foot in the mountain bike store. One word of caution; while it's important to allow mountain bike store staff to help you with your decision, make sure the bike fits your style, not theirs.

Hard tail or full suspension?

Though a little heftier in price, a mountain bike with full suspension is worth the extra money. A hard tail with no rear suspension is very light weight and you will get more pedal efficiency. However, the full suspension mountain bike will give you a more comfortable ride and better overall handling. Whether you go with a hard tail of full suspension will depend on the budget you have in mind. The kind of terrain you will be taking your mountain bike on and your riding style will also determine this.

Finding your favorites

You'll never be able to compare mountain bikes directly. There are far too many components and combinations to be able to do such a comparison of mountain bikes. Your best bet when it comes to making comparisons is finding what mountain bike components you care the most about. Then make sure the mountain bike has all, or the majority, of the components you desire and is in your price range. You can start with the fork then look at the wheels and rear derailleur.

Sales and seasons

Depending on what season you purchase your mountain bike in can determine what price you pay. The main mountain bike buying season takes place during spring through summer. If you can hold off on your mountain bike purchase until fall and winter; chances are real good you can get a mountain bike for hundreds of dollars off what you would pay during the main buying season. Like any other major purchase, it doesn't hurt to shop around a little bit. If the mountain bike shop knows you're shopping around and you can quote prices from competitors, they may offer you even deeper discounts on the mountain bike. They may also throw in free mountain bike accessories, to get the sale. Due diligence will pay off for your mountain bike purchase.

Finding a good dealer

Again, like any other major purchase, price shouldn't be the only factor for buying a mountain bike. The reputation and service of the mountain bike shop can go a long way. The ideal mountain bike shop will be one which is more concerned for making sure they mountain bike they sell you is the perfect bike for you, rather than trying to force a high priced mountain bike on you.. The mountain bike shop should provide you with a feeling of trust. The mountain bike shop should also have a reputable and easily accessible repair shop

Test riding mountain bikes

Test riding mountain bikes is critical, especially if this is your first mountain bike purchase. The more types of mountain bikes you test ride; the more you'll get a feel for what types of mountain bikes are in your price range, and will suit your particular riding style the best. While test riding, you're going to find some mountain bikes that will feel natural to you, and other mountain bikes which won't. The more mountain bikes you test ride, the more you'll understand which components will be necessary to you and which ones won't be

Doing your research

One of the best ways to find out about mountain bike performance and reliability is to read as many product and mountain bike reviews as you can. Trust the mountain bike expert's opinions. Remember, they do this for a living and know mountain bikes inside and out. Again, like any other product, you should research what other people who have bought the product thinks about it, before you buy it. If you make sure to research what other mountain bike owners and experts think, you won't regret your mountain bike purchase.

Mountain bikes can bring you health, happiness, and relaxation. Just keep these tips in mind before you buy your mountain bike, in the mean time, happy riding.