| Purchasing a mountain bike can be very | | | | overwhelming. Determine what components are the |
| overwhelming and can consume quite a bit of your | | | | ones that you cannot live without and then compare |
| extra time if you are not prepared. This article | | | | based on this to find the bike that meets your needs |
| contains some hints that will help to make the | | | | and your budget. In this way, you will not be paying |
| process of buying a mountain bike less frustrating. | | | | for a lot of components that you do not feel are |
| Your Mountain Bike Budget | | | | important. |
| You can spend thousands of dollars on a mountain | | | | Watch For Seasonal Sales |
| bike if you want to, but for most of us, we have to | | | | You will find that mountain bike prices can go up and |
| set a budget so that we do not overspend. To do | | | | down quite a bit over the course of a year. The main |
| this, you need to determine how much that you can | | | | time that mountain bikes are purchased is during the |
| afford to spend and then stick with that budgeted | | | | spring and summer. If you can wait until it grows |
| amount. You will get much better service and a | | | | colder during the fall and winter, then you can save |
| better bike if you purchase from a bike shop, rather | | | | quite a bit of money. Local bike shops may even |
| than a mass-merchandiser like Wal-Mart. If you stick | | | | offer incentives on other components if you |
| you're your budget, then you will be much happier | | | | purchase a mountain bike from them, rather than |
| with your purchase in the long run. | | | | from a mass-merchandiser. |
| What Style Of Bike? Mountain bikes come in several | | | | Locating the Right Dealer |
| different designs that correspond to the different | | | | Even more important than the cheapest price is |
| terrains that you might be riding on and your | | | | finding a trustworthy dealer to buy your bike from. |
| particular riding style. You first need to determine | | | | You can always find a good price, but it is hard to |
| where you will be riding your mountain bike the most. | | | | find a bike shop that offers you good service and |
| Are you going to be mountain cruising, smooth riding, | | | | information that is more relating to your bike riding |
| cross-country racing, or doing lift accessed downhill | | | | than their sales. If you find one, then you need to |
| riding? Determining this will enable to salesman at the | | | | support them in your purchasing. |
| bike shop to help you find the right bike for you and | | | | Take a Test Ride |
| your needs. | | | | Test ride the bikes the fit your budget and your |
| Hard Tail or Full Suspension? If your budget will allow | | | | particular riding style to find the bike that has the |
| it, you will want to choose a full suspension bike. The | | | | right fit for you. You will know when a bike feels |
| hard tail bike that comes without suspension in the | | | | right. The more bikes that you test out, the easier it |
| rear will weigh less and allow you to get more | | | | will be to make this decision. |
| efficiency from your pedaling, but a full suspension | | | | Research, Research, Research |
| bike will be more comfortable and easier to control. | | | | Reading mountain bike reviews and other product |
| This decision will be determined by your budget, the | | | | reviews will help you to learn more about your |
| terrain that you will be riding on, and your particular | | | | choices and the pros and cons of them. Reading |
| style of riding. | | | | mountain bike reviews that are written by other |
| Your Favorite Things | | | | owners will help you to determine the right bike for |
| When you begin trying to compare mountain bikes | | | | you and your needs. Researching is the best way to |
| using components, you will quickly find that it will be | | | | make the most of your mountain bike budget. |