| a mountain bike can seem like a big decision but you | | | | the Gripfit and the Rapidfire shifters. The Rapidfire |
| can help yourself by getting educated about the | | | | shifters are located under the brake lever and Gripfit |
| important aspects of the bike. When looking to buy | | | | shifters are incorporated into the handlebars that |
| your next mountain bike consider the following six | | | | work similar to a motorcycle. When it comes to |
| points of interest. | | | | choosing the shifters for your bike it should be noted |
| Six Points: | | | | that the more experienced riders seem to like the |
| 1. Price | | | | Rapifire shifters better. |
| 2. Frame | | | | Tires: |
| 3. Brakes | | | | If you will be riding primarily off road then you will |
| 4. Shifters | | | | want to make sure that you get the more |
| 5. Tires | | | | aggressive off road tire with the large knobs. You will |
| 6. Size/Fit | | | | find that you will have more control on the more |
| Price: | | | | aggressive surfaces. If you are using the mountain |
| It will cost several thousand dollars to get the best | | | | bike for mainly street use then you can get away |
| mountain bike. It is a good idea to determine your | | | | with the smaller knobs for less resistance on the |
| price range before you begin your search. A good | | | | flatter paved surfaces. Some mountain bikes have |
| beginner mountain bike will cost between 400 and | | | | tires that will perform well off road and on road, |
| 800 dollars depending on where you buy it. To insure | | | | these generally have medium size knobs on the |
| that you won't be replacing your mountain bike in the | | | | outside of the tire. |
| near future don't go the route of buying the Walmart | | | | Size/Fit: |
| specials. This is one of the biggest mistakes I see | | | | The best mountain bike for you will not only depend |
| people make when they buy a mountain bike or any | | | | on price but on size also. While straddling the bike try |
| bike for that matter. In the long run you would have | | | | and maintain a two to three inch clearance above the |
| been better off getting a more expensive mountain | | | | top tube. This also depends on the terrain you will be |
| bike and keeping it for years rather than buying the | | | | ridding over. The more aggressive riders may want |
| cheap mountain bike and replacing it every year. The | | | | to allow for four to six inches of clearance to the |
| Iron Horse Sachem Mountain Bike is a good example | | | | top tube to allow for the more aggressive terrain |
| of a quality mountain bike at an affordable price. | | | | you will be riding on. While sitting on the bike adjust it |
| Brakes: | | | | so your down leg has a slight bend at the knee. |
| Obviously the best mountain bikes have the best | | | | Generally speaking 30 degrees of knee bend is a |
| brakes. The choice of rim brakes or disk brakes is a | | | | good place to start. |
| decision you will have to make. Disk brakes will give | | | | These are several considerations to think about |
| the best braking efficiency, however the cost will be | | | | before you purchase your next mountain bike. |
| a bit higher. Rim brakes offer a lighter, lower cost | | | | Choose wisely when starting out and you can expect |
| alternative but you will sacrifice some performance | | | | to get many miles out of your mountain bike. If you |
| particularly in wet conditions. The Diamondback | | | | are looking to purchase a durable mountain bike that |
| Overdrive Mountain Bike is a good example of a well | | | | exceeds the highest standards of many discerning |
| designed mountain bike that has dual disk brakes. | | | | riders than you have to checkout the Smith & |
| Shifters: | | | | Wesson Scout Mountain Bike. |
| Mountain bikes use two different types of shifters, | | | | |