If you are not well informed, you will find it hard to purchase the “real” mountain bike. Why? There are countless models and types in the market, and they come at different prices. However, as tough as the process could be, simple tips and guides presented in the article will let you walk into any bike store like a pro.
You’d get to the stores with a realistic expectation of your need and what’s within your reach. So you need not panic. Let’s examine seven must-know factors.
Suspension
The very first thing you’d have to consider is the suspension. In the market, you can find fully rigid models, Hardtails mountain bike and full suspension mountain bike. What distinguishes these from each other?
One, fully rigid models, that is, models that come with zero suspension in the rear triangle or the fork, are quite affordable and more straightforward and offer rougher rides. These types are very best for a person planning to take his ride on light trails and pavement.
For Hardtails, that is, those that have no spring in the rear but have in the fork have turned to be people’s choice in recent years. This type of bike is highly efficient for those who live in a region where there are smooth trails and aren’t willing to spend a fortune.
The third category, which is the full suspension, comes with shock both in the rear and front. This type of bike offers the cushiest feeling or ride, and it is regarded as the most capable when it comes to use on technical and rocky terrain.
What’s the bottom line? Shorter suspension translates to a lighter bike. Longer suspension translates to comfort and pleasant ride in rugged terrain. With this, you can make your choice.
Note: Generally, suspension starts from 100 millimeters. And an excellent bike that’s fitting for the general trial must be between 120 and 140 millimeters.
Wheels
Regardless of the type of suspension you decide to settle down with. Bear in mind that they all come in many wheels sizes. For example, you can have them:
- 26-inch size
- 27.5-inch
- And 29-inch
For the 29-inch, it makes up the broadest and largest category. Also, the bigger or larger the diameter is, the better the momentum, stability, and rollover.
You might be surprised that some individuals hold on to the fact that 27.5-inch wheels are the best to maneuver and the best to play with. And they claim that it gives them elegant ability to handle technical terrain comfortably.
Well, the best reason anyone could consider a 27.5-inch wheel is for the fit. On Hardtails and fully rigid bikes, a 59-inch wheel will give a softer ride.
Frame
More important like the suspension and the wheels are the frame. For a fact, the material the frame is designed from is one of those significant factors for pricing. For instance, carbon filters are basically lighter and offer the manufacturers the ability to run infinitely the ride quality and the general shape of the bike. More to it, it is more expensive!
Apart from titanium, identified as the vibration dampening and nearly lightweight as carbon, all-metal frames are expensive.
Additionally, steel is a famous and sung quality ride. However, it tends to be massive. For aluminum, it’s considered heavier than carbon, but it’s often the least costly. Even though famous for a harsh ride, designers have made tremendous strides in unison with weight in recent years.
If you are knee about the highest performance mountain bike, you will have a great choice between titanium and carbon. If you are up for economy and durability, go for steel and aluminum, they are the best option.
Drivetrain
The majority of high-end bikes in our century are fully equipped with a lone chainring in the front and a massive cassette that could be found in the rear, and this can guarantee an enormous gear range without adding any extra weight and regular maintenance in the front derailleur.
If you navigate through this route, you will undoubtedly need the biggest cassette you could ever have. For instance, you can have 10-50, which will cover SRAM. There will be 10-15 for Shimano.
There are cheaper bikes that you will find with a 2x setup; that is, the bike will have a derailleur and two chain rings in the front. These effectively work well. Nevertheless, it adds weight.
Tires
Tires are one of the most anticipated points. Why should you consider this? This is because the width and size of the tires will have a tremendous impact on the wheel experience. There are cross country race mountain bikes that prefer a skinnier runner; that’s from 2 down to 2.2 inches. And this type is high-speed and light, yey it lacks traction.
For plus tires, which range from 2.8 to 3 inches, it sits at the other edge of the spectrum, thus providing an abundance of grips and cushion, yet they are heavy and can make riding sluggish.
For so-called plus tires, they are excellent for attaining stability and can help an individual ride with higher levels of confidence. Yet, they can only fit specific frames with sufficient clearance.
Fat bikes that have 3.8 inches tires and up are regarded as specialty models. These are excellent for snow and sand.
Many years back, trail bikes have done well in settling into a size of 2.4 inches to 2.6 inches tires, and this blends the high-traction and supple of a larger tire that has extra manageable weight.
Realistically though, the frame design is the most substantial hindrance in the rate at which a fat tire can run. If you’ve arranged to upsize your tread sometimes in the future, ensure that you demand the clearance.
Dropper Post
Many individuals consider this as a specialty item. However, the relevance given to knobby tires in mountain bikes should also be applied to dropper posts. When you allow the seat to be lowered as you launch your ride, using the push button that’s fixed on the handlebars, the more comfortable you will be able to drop your center of gravity so you can maneuver easily.
Even though the less expensive models sometimes omit that, the notable manufacturers now include them on the majority of the bikes they sell. Thus if you purchase a bike that doesn’t have one, then never forget to confirm if the frame does have internal cable routing; this will be very effective if, in the future, you consider an upgrade.
Price
Being the last point to be highlighted on how to buy a mountain bike, this is essential because it suggests what you will go home with eventually.
Ideally, expenses on a mountain bike should be somewhere around $100 to more than $10,000. You can find some good mountain biker under $1000 here.
As the price of a bike go up the ladders, the more the quality and components increase, and the weight drops. While you might find the price model to be so amazing, some of the least expensive types might be an unfortunate investment, because they are often designed with inferior material that is void of durability.
For a good quality hard tail, you will need between $1000 and $1,500. For a well-constructed full suspension, you will from $2500 upward.
Conclusion
With this, you are all set! If well applied, you will come to see the joy in getting the ‘real’ bikes. You’d have the best buying experience and the best user experience.