| If you like to cycle in the great outdoors you might | | | | will be used for. Cross-country mountain bikes are |
| be considering purchasing a mountain bike. But what | | | | often the lightest type, while downhill bikes can weigh |
| kind of bike do you need? You can work out your | | | | much more. |
| requirements by asking yourself some questions, like | | | | Q. What is your budget? |
| these: | | | | A. Bikes range from the department store model |
| Q. What kind of biking am I going to do? | | | | which is very affordable up to the specialist bike |
| A. This is probably the best question to start out | | | | which can cost as much as a new car. |
| with. You'll have to think about what terrain you will | | | | Now consider these mountain bike essentials in light |
| be riding on most of the time and in what conditions. | | | | of the needs you've discovered: |
| If you ride on rocky terrain, for example, you might | | | | Types - Cross country, hard tail, full suspension, |
| not want a hardtail mountain bike (without rear | | | | downhill, dirt jump and enduro mountain bikes; tailor |
| suspension). | | | | your choice to your individual preferences. |
| Q. If you are upgrading from an older mountain bike, | | | | Assembly - Bikes may be purchased fully assembled |
| did it fit your needs? | | | | or as a bare frame to which you can add individual |
| A. Your older bike might not have handled downhill | | | | hand-picked components. |
| riding as well as you would have liked. Perhaps you | | | | Brakes - The basic brake is a pull V-brake or |
| need a high-quality, disc-brake system on your new | | | | cantilever. Disc brakes are a good choice for muddy |
| bike? You will have to search for a bike with all the | | | | or hilly conditions and rim or calliper brakes are found |
| features you'll need. | | | | only on very basic, inexpensive bikes. |
| Q. Do you want a cross-country mountain bike? | | | | Frame - Steel, carbon fibre, alloy. Steel frames are |
| A. In essence, cross-country mountain bikes are | | | | inexpensive and durable but also heavy, and require |
| designed for trails. They are not designed, for | | | | more riding effort. |
| example, for terrain where there might be a lot of | | | | If you want to ride on paths or roads you may need |
| rocks or debris in your way. This type of bike can be | | | | a little more versatility in your mountain bike. As |
| lightweight and diverse for multi-terrain riders. | | | | weight may not be an issue because you are not |
| Additionally, you can choose a freeride mountain bike | | | | competing or tackling muddy hill paths, an enduro |
| (a mix of downhill and cross- country models) or | | | | mountain bike might do the trick. It doesn't weigh as |
| even a dirt-jump mountain bike (with greater | | | | much as a downhill mountain bike, but it will still allow |
| suspension). | | | | you to bike on different types of terrain. |
| Q. Is weight an issue? | | | | Tip: The different types of mountain bikes feel and |
| A. Some bikers want a very light bike. Different | | | | handle very differently. Make sure you try out |
| types of bikes weigh more according to what they | | | | several different models. |