Buying A Mountain Bike
Buying a mountain bike can be a bit frustrating not to mention time consuming. In this article we will be discussing a few things to consider before plunking down your hard earned cash on a mountain bike.
There is really no limit as to how much money you can spend on a new mountain bike. To help you keep your spending under control, you should figure out what your price range is and how much your willing to pay for a new bike. When you buy, you shouldn’t buy from mass merchant stores such as Wal-Mart. You should instead support your local bike shop and get a much better bike and much better service.
As you begin your search for your mountain bike, you will soon learn that mountain bikes are designed for different types of terrains and riding styles. You want to decide beforehand what types of riding you will be doing the most of. Will you be doing smooth riding, cross country racing, mountain cruising, or lift accessed downhill? By determining what style of riding you will doing, you will be ensuring that the mountain bike you eventually select will be a best fit for your situation.
A full suspension mountain bike is always worth the extra price if your wallet will allow it. The hard tail without the rear suspension is a much lighter bike and pedals more efficiently. However the full suspension mountain bikes are more comfortable as well as giving you better overall control. But again, you will want to factor in your price range, type of terrain, and riding style before finalizing your purchase.
Doing a side by side comparison of every component on the mountain bike may seem like a nearly impossible task - there are simply too many combinations available and the job can get to be overwhelming. You are better off deciding on a few components that are important to you from the standpoint of your riding style and local terrain and then choosing the rest based on minimum requirements as well as your price point. A good place to start is the forks, wheels, and derailleur.
Oftentimes the price of mountain bikes rise and fall with the seasons. With spring and summer being the prime buying season, you might expect to shell out a bit more during these times. If you can hold off on your purchase until the fall and winter months, you might find yourself saving a couple of hundred bucks on your purchase. If you shop around and are not afraid to let your local bike shops know you are doing so, you might find one or two of them ready to offer you incentives, special discounts, or even throwing in some extra accessories just to reel in your business.
Ranking up there alongside finding a good price on your mountain bike is finding a good bike dealer. Finding a dealer who cares more about making sure you end up with a great bike as opposed to simply a high priced one may be a bit tricky but can be done. You will find that a top notch mountain bike dealer will keep keep a clean repair shop along with giving you the impression that they can be trusted.
Make sure that you test ride as many mountain bikes as you can that fall within your riding style and price range. The more you get the chance to do this the easier it is going to be to determine the ones that feel right for you. Test rides also give you the opportunity to determine first hand what works for you and what does not.
Another area that you should make make use of is bike reviews and product reviews. These are some of the best ways to learn more about the overall performance and reliability of various mountain bikes. Reading about what other owners are saying about a particular bike before you make your final purchase may keep you from any unwanted surprises down the road.
Debbie Parkinson spends the majority of her time outdoors in addition to writing about exciting outdoor activities. Mountain biking is a tremendous outdoor activity but can be significantly enhanced with a pair of coolmax socks. These over the calf socks wick sweat away from your feet to make sure they stay dry and comfortable all day long.
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