| Everyone would love to purchase the bike of their | | | | you are planning on riding on "flat surfaces, you do |
| dreams, but in reality, mountain bikes are available in | | | | not want a bike that is made for downhill. |
| a very wide price range. There are so many brands, | | | | Most mountain bikes will fit into a set of categories: |
| sizes, prices... you need to do your research before | | | | cross country (XC), all mountain (trail) bikes (AMB |
| you go out and buy one. | | | | AtTB), freeride and downhill. An all mountain (trail) |
| A few very important things to consider are: | | | | bike, for most people, may be a wise choice. They |
| 1. What level biker are you--just taking up the sport, | | | | are made to be the most fun (in most situations), will |
| or are you an"experienced" biker? | | | | take you almost anywhere, and are not "tiring". A |
| 2. How often are you going to be riding? | | | | cross country bike is the lightest and most efficient |
| 3. Where will you be riding? Most mountain bikes will | | | | pedaller but are not the best for rough terrain. |
| fit into a set of categories: Cross Country (XC), All | | | | Freeride bikes are designed for jumps, stunts, and |
| Mountain (Trail) Bikes (AMB/AtTB), FreeRide and | | | | hard hitting trails and are very heavy. THe downhill |
| Downhill. | | | | bikes are the least common and are built just for |
| If you are an "entry level" biker, you may not want | | | | downhill racing. Mountain bikes are available in two |
| to buy a "top of the line" mountain bike until you get | | | | different suspensions. A bike with the suspension in |
| used to riding and know for sure that this is a sport | | | | the front (and not in the back) is considered a hard |
| you will continue with. Of course, some of the "top | | | | tail. A full suspension bike has the suspension in the |
| of the line" mountain bikes are so light, you may end | | | | front and bike. These types of bike are more |
| up loving the sport or, if you buy a poor bike, you | | | | expensive but are the most comfortable. After doing |
| may not enjoy the sport of mountain biking at all. | | | | some research and consideration, you will be |
| You also need to consider where and how often you | | | | confident in the mountain bike that you decide to |
| will be riding your mountain bike. If you do not intend | | | | buy. |
| to ride on a daily basis, is it within your budget to | | | | Once you get your bike home.. get out and ride! |
| buy a thousand dollar bike that may not get used? If | | | | |