| With summer in full swing you may be considering | | | | lot of money needlessly, or talk yourself into buying |
| buying a mountain bike to improve your fitness and | | | | something that you don't really need. If you are just |
| to have some fun in the fresh air, but it is easy to | | | | going cruising or cross country then spending a lot of |
| waste a lot of money buying the wrong bike. | | | | money on a high end full suspension will be a waste |
| When buying a mountain bike there are a few simple | | | | of money. Conversely if you intend on free riding and |
| but essential tips which you must follow to ensure | | | | downhill then a hard tail will not be the ideal choice of |
| that you get the bike most suited to your needs and | | | | ride. Be aware however, at the budget end of the |
| the best deal for your money. Like a lot of things in | | | | market, full suspension bikes tend to be heavy, |
| life, cheap is normally cheap for a reason so follow | | | | components are cheaper to offset the cost of the |
| these three simple tips to get the most from your | | | | additional parts required, and maintenance |
| money. | | | | requirements are more than with a hard tail. |
| Tip Number 1 - Decide what are you using the | | | | Tip Number 3 - Go for quality where possible |
| mountain bike for? | | | | This might sound obvious but a cheap mountain bike |
| Arguably the most important consideration is to | | | | is exactly that, a compromise of quality over price. In |
| ascertain what the bike will be used for - this will | | | | order to get the price down there will be |
| dictate the kind of bike most suited to you. If you | | | | compromises on every level, materials, quality of the |
| are just going for cycling with a little off road stuff | | | | running gear, how it has been assembled. Buying |
| then there is little to be gained by going for a full | | | | cheap may prove to be a false economy and end up |
| suspension bike, however if you are an all terrain or | | | | costing you more in the long run. A cheap mountain |
| downhill fan then a full suspension will fit the bill. Be | | | | bike is likely to be heavy, prone to breakdown and |
| careful however that unless you have a lot of money | | | | require more repairs and maintenance. In a lot of |
| for your purchase for the same budget a hardtail will | | | | cases buying a quality second hand bike is better |
| most likely be lighter, better specified and more | | | | than buying a budget new bike. |
| suitable for general use. | | | | For more FREE TIPS and information on Mountain |
| Tip Number 2 - Set yourself a budget and stick to it | | | | biking please be sure to visit our site. |
| Following on from above, it is too easy to spend a | | | | |