| When it comes to choosing a new mountain bike, the | | | | what you are looking for, this is the type of bike to |
| beginner can be overwhelmed by the choices | | | | buy. |
| available today. They come in a variety of styles | | | | Cross country bikes may look somewhat similar to an |
| designed to excel for certain riding conditions. There | | | | all mountain bike but there are some big differences. |
| are different frame materials to choose from and the | | | | They are built for speed so they are very |
| component options are many. There are several price | | | | lightweight. To go fast also means that the |
| ranges as well from around $500 for a low end entry | | | | suspension needs to be stiffer resulting in a less |
| level bike to well over $10,000 for top of the line | | | | comfortable ride. The cross country bike will have |
| bikes. | | | | narrow tires to allow for higher speeds on harder |
| For the beginner choosing a mountain bike pretty | | | | surfaces. Designed to excel on hard pack surfaces |
| much comes down to a couple of factors, what type | | | | this type will not be well suited for rough off road |
| of riding will they be doing and where do they live. | | | | trails. For fast rides on and off road a cross country |
| The location can help narrow a decision based on the | | | | bike cannot be beat. |
| local geography. If you want to ride down steep | | | | Freeride bikes are tough and designed to go through |
| mountain trails and all around you is gentle sloping hills | | | | some rough off road terrain. Heavier than an all |
| a downhill bike is not going to be the best choice. | | | | mountain bike it is still light enough to get you up a hill |
| On the other hand if you do live in an area where a | | | | though it is going to be harder. Its tough design is |
| variety of riding styles can be done then it is up to | | | | made to take jumps and perform stunts as well as |
| personal preference. Do you want to ride gentle hills, | | | | ride some rough off road trails. |
| climb big mountains, perform stunts, descend down | | | | Downhill bikes are just what the name implies, built to |
| difficult downhill courses, or just have fun? | | | | go downhill. They are the least common of mountain |
| Depending on your preference of riding, the bike you | | | | bikes you will see. They are very heavy, so going up |
| choose will most likely come from one of these | | | | the hills they are meant to go down is not likely to |
| categories: cross country, all mountain, freeride, or | | | | be an option. These bikes need different way to get |
| downhill. There will be many options to choose from | | | | to the top of the mountain but if you are looking for |
| within these categories, but the basic concept of the | | | | the fastest way down nothing beats a downhiller no |
| bikes within each category remains the same. | | | | matter how rough the trail is. |
| An all mountain bike is the category that makes | | | | After giving it some thought, a beginner can easily |
| sense for most buyers. These bikes are designed to | | | | come to a decision about exactly what type of |
| pretty much do well for a large number of conditions. | | | | mountain bike is going to be best suited for them by |
| They can go just about anywhere and are light | | | | knowing what type of riding they will be doing. |
| enough to do it efficiently. If general all around fun is | | | | |