Things to Look for When Picking a New Mountain Bike

Mountain biking is a great way to get the necessary exercise and have a great deal of fun at the same time. But to be able to really enjoy the ride, you need a good mountain bike that meets your needs perfectly. There is most certainly a perfect bike out there for you too, however, there are several things you should pay attention to when picking a new mountain bike.

First of all, it is important to be aware that there are several types of mountain bikes and in order to make the best choice, you need to take into account your very own needs and riding preferences. Ask yourself whether you want to enjoy a smooth ride with your family or want to raise your adrenaline by downhill riding, or perhaps a little bit of both. Then, you should know the key differences between different types of mountain bikes. Basically, you can choose between the following five types of mountain bikes.

Cross-country (XC) bikes are a very popular choice among new mountain bikers because they are made for steeper terrains enabling you to enjoy mountain biking in the true meaning of the word. Riding a cross-country (XC) bike will not make you tired when climbing up the hill because they are very light. However, they are not the best choice for rougher terrain.
Freeride bikes are a great choice if you like large drops and jumps. However, they are not as comfortable to ride up the hill because they are heavier than the cross-country (XC) bikes for instance.
All mountain (trailbikes) are somewhere in between cross-country (XC) and freeride bikes which makes them perhaps the best choice if you are new in mountain biking because they can take you just about everywhere.
Downhill (DH) bikes are intended for downhill racing and mountain bikers who are looking for maximum thrills. You may feel tempted by these bikes, however, keep in mind that you will not enjoy the ride up the hill with a downhill (DH) bike. Just as important is to be aware that downhill mountain biking is not for everyone and that it requires a great deal of experience.
Professional mountain bikes are the least common choice because they are made for professional bikers and are very expensive. In addition, they require a high level of expertise to be actually enjoy riding them.

In addition to the above mentioned types of mountain bikes, you can also choose between a wide range of recreational mountain bikes which are a popular choice among families that enjoy riding smoother and less demanding terrains.

When you determine which type of mountain bikes suits you most, you need to decide between a number of models and brands available. Firstly, you need to choose the material of the frame – steel, aluminum and titanium. The most common material is steel which is very durable and relatively inexpensive but it is heavier than aluminum and titanium. Then, you should pay attention to different components such as brakes, forks, tires, saddles etc. because they play more important role in the overall performance of the bike than you may think. Let's take for example the tires. Wide and bulky tires are virtually a must for rough terrain, however, they are not the best choice for smooth trails. You will be able to ride a mountain bike with wide tires on smooth trails too but not as comfortable and fast as with narrow tires. However, do not compare component by component when choosing between different models because you will get no where that way. Make a list of features your ideal mountain bike should have and focus on bikes that have most of the desired features. To be able to make that list of features, you can help yourself by reading some product reviews because mountain bike owners tend to emphasize the features they like and those they do not.

In the end, you need to pay attention to the price just like with all the things. We all want only the best there is on the market but there are virtually no limits when it comes to prices of quality mountain bikes. Determine how much you are willing to spend and focus on bikes within that price range. On the other hand, you do not buy a new mountain bike every year and for that reason it may be worth to wait for a while if you currently cannot afford a really good bike because only a quality mountain bike offers an ultimate mountain biking experience.