| If you're thinking of buying a mountain bike then you | | | | to decide between hard tail and full suspension, v |
| need to think carefully. Choosing a mountain bike can | | | | brakes or disk brakes, different gearing systems. It's |
| be a minefield because different bikes are designed | | | | easy to become confused. |
| to do different things. Are you looking for a bike to | | | | If all you want is a bike to do a bit of off roading |
| perform a specific task or do you want a mountain | | | | now and again a hard tail bike with v brakes and |
| bike for general off road cycling. | | | | suspension forks will be OK for you. |
| Think carefully before choosing your mountain bike. | | | | These bikes are not specialized and can be used for |
| Ask yourself what exactly you want to do with it. If | | | | general off road cycling. Choosing between hard tail |
| you're looking for a bike to perform a certain | | | | or full suspension bikes is something you will have to |
| function like trials riding for example, then choosing | | | | research and decide for yourself. There are endless |
| your bike is relatively simple. | | | | debates going on about which type is the best. |
| You would go for a trials bike because that is what it | | | | Each rider will prefer a certain bike depending on your |
| is designed for; a standard mountain bike will not be | | | | strengths. A full suspension bike is heavier than a |
| able to cope with the demands of trial riding, | | | | hard tail and will be harder for hill climbing, but when it |
| especially going downhill. A trials bike is a specialized | | | | comes to descending the hill the full suspension will |
| piece of kit designed pure and simply for trial riding. | | | | come into its own. |
| If you're looking to take up trail riding then choosing a | | | | Take your time before choosing a mountain bike, |
| mountain bike is easy, you just go for the best trials | | | | think about what you want to do with it and where |
| bike. | | | | you will use it. There's no point paying a lot of money |
| There is a huge choice of off road bikes to choose | | | | for the best high tech bike if you're only going for an |
| from and choosing a mountain bike can get confusing. | | | | hours off road cycling on a Sunday. |
| If you just want to do a little off roading. You've got | | | | |