| o choose a mountain bike depends on what you are | | | | and light, most of the other MTB parts, of course will |
| going to do with it, if all you want your new | | | | be Shimano and as usual get the best you can |
| mountain bike for is going for a nice leisurely ride on | | | | afford. There are many combinations of hubs and |
| the canal path or a ride in the woods with the dog, | | | | rims to make up your wheels; hubs from Shimano |
| well you wont need a full suspension downhill machine | | | | and rims form Mavic are the usual mix. Then you |
| with 4 inch travel on the forks and a fully articulated | | | | have to choose which suspension forks to put on |
| rear end with damping and rebound control. | | | | you bike, you may not get a choice, depending on |
| + Where to Start From. | | | | which bike you buy, the main ones are Suntour, |
| If you do want to go for an easy ride in the park | | | | Marzocchi, Manitou, Fox, RockShox and RST, buy |
| you don’t need to spend too much, if you | | | | any of these and you wont go far wrong. |
| think you will do any off-road riding then big tread | | | | + Top Bikes…. Top Money. |
| tires maybe all you need, but if you think you might | | | | If you want what the professionals ride you will have |
| try some rough stuff then you will need suspension. | | | | to pay a lot of money a professional MTB. As with |
| Gears will probably be Shimano, brakes must be | | | | road bike at the top of the range, you can specify |
| V-brakes, but could be made by a few different | | | | what you want to build up your dream bike. Top |
| manufacturers, all the rest of the MTB components | | | | bikes frames to spend your money on could be Klien, |
| will depend on how much you can spend. If you go | | | | Scott, Rocky Mountain, Gary Fisher, Santa Cruz and |
| to your local bike shop or big sports store and see | | | | K2; these are some of the most sought after bike |
| what they’ve got to offer, then buy it or | | | | frames in the world and would be the envy of your |
| have look on the Internet and maybe you’ll | | | | friends. Probably the best forks to put on your frame |
| find the same thing at a better price. | | | | would be RockShox SID’s these are light and |
| + The Next Step Up. | | | | do all the things you need with control of all |
| So maybe you want to be a bit more adventurous, | | | | functions, there are many other to also to consider, |
| more off-road, more forest tracks and dry boulder | | | | look at how much travel they have and the rebound |
| river beds, then you’ll need something a little | | | | and damping systems. Gears again will be either |
| lighter, with suspension forks. All this will cost you | | | | SRAM or Shimano Rapid fire, XT or XTR, more |
| more money, but will be worth it for the extra | | | | money could be spent on carbon or very light alloy |
| enjoyment and adventure. With a better mountain | | | | cranks, the brakes should be hydraulic discs from |
| bike it will have a sportier handling and because it is | | | | Hayes, Pace or Magura or stick to the trusted |
| lighter, it will be easier to struggle up the hills before | | | | V-bakes. Wheels from Shimano or Mavic or some |
| you come flying down the other side. The | | | | fancy carbon wheels, but remember they will have to |
| components will again be Shimano and the quality will | | | | take a lot of punishment, so maybe better to go for |
| depend on how much money you can spend. | | | | reliability over light weight expense. Carbon handle |
| V-brakes and Rapid-fire gear shifters, along with | | | | bars, stem and seat pin and a light weight race |
| Shimano chain set, bottom bracket and headset. | | | | saddle and Time or Shimano SPD clipless pedals, then |
| Handle bars, stem and seat pin should be alloy and | | | | your choice of tires will depend on what terrain and |
| along with a comfortable saddle you’ll be set | | | | ground conditions you are going to ride on. |
| to take to the hills. | | | | + And Downhilling? |
| + More Money, More Bike. | | | | Downhill bikes are very different, more like a cross |
| The next rung up on the mountain bike ladder would | | | | country motor bike, but without the engine, low |
| be good enough to race on. There are many to | | | | center of gravity and a lot of travel on the |
| choose from, get on the net and surf the bike | | | | suspension on the forks and the rear end, disc |
| manufacturers sites and all the shop sites along with | | | | brakes, wide rims and fat tires, gears are only at the |
| the magazines for juicy photos of the bikes. The top | | | | back as usually a single chain set is used. Unless your |
| manufacturers in this price range, I would say are: - | | | | going to do a lot of downhill racing then there |
| Trek, Giant, Specialized and Cannondale, these | | | | isn’t much point in buying one as you have to |
| companies make the nicest frames with the best | | | | get up the hill first before you can come down and |
| mountain bike parts available at the price, gears will | | | | as light weight is not an issue with downhill bikes, |
| be either Shimano or SRAM, brakes could be | | | | they are very heavy to get up hill with out the use |
| V-brakes or cable disc brakes, both are very good | | | | of a tow rope or a ski lift. |