| Finding the best mountain bike isn't as hard as you | | | | of shifters on the market today. The Rapidfire |
| may think, but there are some things to look at that | | | | shifters are located under the brake lever and Gripfit |
| will help you to make a better educated decision. | | | | shifters are incorporated into the handlebars that |
| While not comprehensive, the following six points | | | | work similar to a motorcycle. The more experienced |
| should be considered when looking for an off road | | | | riders seem to like the Rapidfire shifters better but |
| bike. | | | | ultimately it will be a matter of choice. |
| 6 Points: | | | | Tires: |
| 1. Price | | | | If you are going to do a lot of off-road riding then |
| 2. Frame | | | | you will want to have tires that are designed with |
| 3. Brakes | | | | the larger knobs. You will find that you will have more |
| 4. Shifters | | | | control on the more aggressive surfaces. If you will |
| 5. Tires | | | | be riding mainly on a paved surface then you will |
| 6. Size/Fit | | | | want to make sure you have the smaller knobed |
| Price: | | | | tires. If you are going to use the bike for off road |
| To get the best mountain bike you can expect to | | | | and on road then look for a tire with a ridge in the |
| pay several thousand dollars. Set a price limit for your | | | | middle and medium sized knobs on the side of the |
| new bike and then find the best quality bike for the | | | | tire. |
| price. You can expect to pay somewhere between | | | | Size/Fit: |
| 300 and 800 dollars for an entry level bike. You can | | | | To get the best mountain bike that suits you well it |
| find a cheaper bike at one of the local retail stores | | | | is important to get the right size bike. While straddling |
| but chances are the bike will not hold up and you will | | | | the bike try and maintain a two to three inch |
| be finding yourself replacing parts or even a new bike | | | | clearance above the top tube. It does matter what |
| in a relatively short amount of time. This is one of | | | | terrain you will be ridding on. The more aggressive |
| the biggest mistakes I see people make when they | | | | you plan on riding the more you may want to |
| buy an off road bike or any bike for that matter. In | | | | increase the clearance to the top tube to allow for |
| the long run you would have been better off getting | | | | the aggressive terrain. As you are sitting on the bike |
| a more expensive mountain bike and keeping it for | | | | and your feet on the pedals try and maintain a 30 |
| years rather than buying the cheap mountain bike | | | | degree angle with the leg at the bottom of the apex. |
| and replacing it every year. | | | | Although a matter of personal preference a thirty |
| Brakes: | | | | degree bend at the knee is a fine starting point. |
| The higher the quality of the bike the higher the | | | | That's the basics you need to know before buying |
| quality of the brakes. The choice of rim brakes or | | | | the best mountain bike for yourself. You can expect |
| disk brakes is a decision you will have to make. Disk | | | | to get many years of riding from your mountain bike |
| brakes will give the best braking efficiency, however | | | | if you choose wisely in the beginning. If you are |
| the cost will be a bit higher. The low cost alternative | | | | looking for a great mountain bike that exceeds the |
| would be the rim brakes but they don't perform as | | | | highest qualifications of many advanced riders than |
| well in adverse conditions. | | | | you gotta checkout the Smith & Wesson |
| Shifters: | | | | Custom Police Mountain Bike. |
| Rapidfire and Gripfit shifters are the two main types | | | | |