| It can be a bit intimidating as well as time consuming | | | | would be an impossible task, there are just far too |
| when you buy your first mountain bike. Following, | | | | many combinations. The best way to go about doing |
| you'll find some tips and things to be aware of | | | | this is deciding on the components that are the most |
| before you start your search for your first mountain | | | | important to you and making sure the rest fall within |
| bike. | | | | your price range. You should start with the fork, |
| Determining your price is really a personal thing. There | | | | which is the most important component after the |
| is hardly a limit as to how much money you can | | | | frame. Then look at the wheelsets and brakes. |
| spend on a new mountain bike. More is not | | | | The best time to buy a mountain bike may vary a |
| necessarily better, you should decide on your price | | | | little depending on where you live. During the year, |
| range and how much you can afford to pay for a | | | | the prices of mountain bikes can change quite a bit. |
| new bike. When you do buy, you shouldn't buy from | | | | Spring through summer is the primary buying season. |
| a department store such as Wal-Mart. The bikes sold | | | | If you can wait until the end of the season, fall and |
| at department stores are not really bikes designed | | | | winter, you can save a couple hundred dollars. Many |
| for the rigors of mountain biking. Also they are not | | | | bike shops will also offer discounts on other |
| put together by trained bike mechanics. You should | | | | accessories if you buy a new mountain bike from |
| instead support your local bike shop and get a much | | | | them. |
| better bike and much better service. | | | | Finding a good bike shop to buy from is more |
| There are different styles of mountain bikes. There | | | | important than finding the best price. You should |
| are mountain bikes designed with many different | | | | always find a shop that cares more about selling you |
| riding styles and terrain types in mind. You'll want to | | | | the best bike for you than selling you a high priced |
| figure out what type of riding you will be doing the | | | | one. A great bike shop will have a clean repair area |
| most. Recreational cross country, cross country | | | | and a knowledgeable staff. |
| racing, all mountain riding, or lift accessed downhill | | | | Never buy a mountain bike without taking a test ride, |
| riding or racing. Make sure that the bike you select | | | | preferably on some trails and not just around the |
| fits the style of riding you plan on doing. | | | | parking lot. You should test ride as many bikes as |
| Deciding on a full suspension or hard tail is also an | | | | possible. Which bike fits you and feels 'right' will be |
| important decision. | | | | different for everybody. The more bikes you can |
| If you can afford it, a full suspension mountain bike is | | | | test ride, the better you'll understand what works |
| always worth the extra money. A hard tail, bike | | | | and what doesn't work for you. |
| without rear suspension, is lighter weight and pedals | | | | Mountain bike reviews are available on many biking |
| more efficiently than full suspension bikes. Full | | | | websites on the internet or in mountain bike |
| suspension bikes offer more comfort and overall | | | | magazines. And are some of the best ways to find |
| better control on rough terrain. You'll want to make | | | | out about a mountain bikes reliability and overall |
| that decision based on your price range, riding style, | | | | performance. You also should talk to other mountain |
| and the type of terrain you'll be riding on the most. | | | | bikers and get their opinions about a bike before |
| Comparing mountain bikes component by component | | | | youmake your final purchase. |