| ng the proper sized bike for your body and riding | | | | to make sure that it is distributed equally between |
| style can make a big difference in how much you | | | | the rear and front suspension units, which will help |
| enjoy riding and how comfortable your bike is. | | | | them work more efficiently and in tune with each |
| Personnel at your local bike ship can help you to find | | | | other. |
| the correct bike for your riding style and your body. | | | | You can accomplish this quite simply by choosing to |
| Consider the hints that are below, and your bike will | | | | use either a shorter or higher step to help raise the |
| be the perfect size for you. | | | | height of your hands. This will help to move the |
| Standover Height | | | | height of the upper part of your body up and it will |
| If you need to determine how the bike fits yourself, | | | | move the weight towards the rear of the bike. This |
| then the most important thing that you will need to | | | | increase should be no greater than two inches, so |
| consider is your inseam clearance. Make sure that | | | | that the reach difference is no more than two inches. |
| there is enough space in the area between the top | | | | Take a Test Ride |
| tube and your own body when you stop the bike. | | | | After you have considered each of these points, |
| You want there to be clearance of about four to six | | | | then it is time to take a test ride on your bike. It is |
| inches from your inseam top to the top tube top. | | | | important to wear your helmet, even while testing. |
| Feet and Leg Position | | | | Make sure that your tires are inflated to the right tire |
| Determining the proper leg position for riding your | | | | pressure and that the bike has been properly |
| mountain bike is simple to do. It is important that you | | | | adjusted for your body. Then you are ready. |
| find the right position for your legs, because you | | | | An employee from the bicycle shop should watch |
| constantly have to shift your position on the seat, | | | | you when you are riding to make sure that the |
| due to terrain changes. | | | | position and ride height is correct for you. If not, |
| Due to the changes in terrain and the constant | | | | then you may need some additional adjustments. |
| shifting, you will want to position the saddle of your | | | | You should start your riding slowly and then gradually |
| bicycle a little lower than you normally would if you | | | | speed up when you get a better feel for the bike. |
| were riding a different bike. It is important that you | | | | After you have ridden the bike for a while, then you |
| consider this lower position when you determine | | | | may find that something seems off about the bike |
| what size frame that you will need. | | | | or it is not working right. If this occurs, then you |
| Riding Compartment | | | | want to have the problem corrected before you |
| One thing that you will want to think about and look | | | | decide not to purchase the bike. It may be a simple |
| at is the compartment layout for the rider. This is the | | | | adjustment that can make it into the bike of your |
| distance that is located between the handlebars and | | | | dreams. |
| the bicycle saddle. After you have determined the | | | | The greater number of bikes that you try out, the |
| proper extension for your legs, you will want to | | | | simpler that you will find it is to determine the |
| ensure that the handlebars are one or two inches | | | | similarities and differences in the types. It may take |
| lower than the saddle height. The handlebars should | | | | up to several years or just a few weeks for you to |
| never be at a great height than the height of the | | | | gain a greater appreciation for the handling of a |
| seat, unless you have a problem with your upper | | | | particular bike. Talk to other bike riders to get |
| body. | | | | recommendations and hints. This will help you gain |
| Dual Suspension Bicycles | | | | more knowledge concerning locating the right |
| You want to make sure that the weight of your | | | | mountain bike for your particular body and riding |
| body is concentrated more in the center of the bike | | | | style. |