Get Up And Get Into Mountain Biking- Here's Some Tips To Get You Started!


by James Sanford - Date: 2007-01-23 - Word Count: 500 Share This!

So, you want to get fit, experience the joys of the great outdoors and have a few thrills and spills along the way? Sounds like you need to get out there and buy yourself a mountain bike. But with full suspension, hardtail and a myriad of mountain bike models from a huge variety of quality manufacturers, what type of mountain bike is right for you? Here we offer a few simple tips that may just help you decide.

Firstly, is it a mountain bike you are really after? A mountain bike is great if you want to ride off the road and get into the great outdoors. If you will mainly be riding along the road or pathways, then perhaps you need to look elsewhere. But for now, we'll assume that a mountain bike is what you're after. So, the first decision you will have to make is whether you want a mountain bike with, or without, suspension.

If you want a bike that will provide a smooth ride when you're travelling up and down on rugged, rocky trails, then you might consider a full suspension bike. A hardtail bike on the other hand has no rear suspension and may or may not have front suspension forks. Hardtail bikes generally weigh less than full suspension bikes and are usually cheaper. Hardtails are often a better choice for beginners. Another advantage worth pointing out is that you will use less energy when you're pedalling on a Hardtail. This is because on a full suspension bike, when you push down on the pedal, some of your force is lost when the rear suspension compresses. If you're not sure which way to go, ask your local bike dealer and test ride both a hardtail and full suspension bike.

You've now decided that you want either a hardtail or full suspension bike. Now, how much are you willing to spend? Mountain bikes are available from a wide variety of manufacturers each with many different models that may range in price from a few hundred dollars up to thousands of dollars. If you're a beginner, you may be better buying a cheaper bike to start with. You can always upgrade later. However, this will depend on your intentions. If you want to get involved with your local club and compete in some races, then you'll probably want to spend more money. Again, discuss this with the local bike dealer or speak to your local mountain biking club.

If you have friends into mountain bike riding, then naturally, speak to them and ask their opinion. One word of warning: when you buy a bike, try to avoid buying one from one of the larger department stores. If you do you'll probably be disappointed because they're usually of dubious quality with cheaper components such as brakes and gears. And one thing you don't want is a mountain bike that won't change gears properly. It will quickly turn you off mountain bike riding forever! And we don't want that now, do we?


Related Tags: buy, mountain bike, hardtail

For more information, reviews and tips on mountain bikes visit James Sanford's website at BikingHeadz.com, the complete online buyers guide on bikes and bicycles.

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