| Your first mountain bike (and every one there after) | | | | bicycle online, you find a nearby store where you can |
| may be one of the most important purchases you | | | | try it out before buying it. While you should always |
| ever make. Finding the right bike is necessary for | | | | have the option to return a bicycle that you have |
| ensuring the safety and enjoyment of your mountain | | | | purchased online, it is more of a hassle than just |
| biking excursions. This however, is sometimes easier | | | | trying it out beforehand. |
| said than done. | | | | There are certain things that you should look for to |
| Most mountain bikes are built for men. It is therefore | | | | ensure that the bicycle is a perfect "fit". One of the |
| easier for a man to find one with the perfect fit than | | | | things to look for is the distance between you and |
| for a woman. Women are proportioned differently; | | | | the top tube of the bicycle. This should be at least 4 |
| they are usually smaller in size and have shorter | | | | to 6 inches in order to prevent injury in case of an |
| torsos than men (though often with longer legs). | | | | accident. You can tell this by standing above the |
| When you ride a mountain bike that is not fit | | | | bicycle and seeing how far your crotch is from the |
| properly to your body, you run the risk of sustaining | | | | top tube. For women, you will also want to make |
| injuries. Some of these injuries include knee problems | | | | sure that the length of the top tube does not put |
| and back injuries, not to mention the possibility of | | | | you too far away from the front of the bike. This |
| having an accident. | | | | would be very uncomfortable. Another thing to look |
| As more women join the ranks of mountain bikers, | | | | for is the saddle height. |
| some companies have set out to design bicycles | | | | When you sit on the bicycle, your legs should not be |
| made specifically for women and their proportions. | | | | fully extended when you push the peddle to the |
| The same problems can occur with children. Since | | | | farthest position. If you are riding on uneven terrain, |
| children come in such a wide range of sizes, and are | | | | you will be standing a great deal and may want to |
| constantly growing, it is important to ensure that you | | | | lower the seat even further. Lastly, make sure that |
| find the right fit for your son or daughter and that | | | | the handlebars are at a comfortable height. This is |
| you purchase a new bike when they outgrow the | | | | cheaper and easier to do when you purchase a new |
| old. | | | | bike as opposed to having it changed out after. |
| Before you purchase a bike, make sure that you test | | | | By selecting the correct fit when you purchase a |
| it out. This can be difficult in the age of internet sales. | | | | mountain bike, you will ensure that you have the |
| However, make sure that if you are purchasing a | | | | best time possible with the least risk of injury or pain. |