Taking up mountain biking is the best decision some people ever make – it keeps you fit, gets you out in the fresh air, and lets you escape from the mundanities of every day life. But buying your very first mountain bike can be a daunting experience. If you are a complete novice then the technical terms can result in a bit of a headache and utter confusion. Luckily help is at hand. Once you understand the jargon you will be able to choose with ease and purchase a bike which is suitable and right for you.
Unfortunately when you go into some bike shops you may find that their aim is to sell you the most expensive mountain bike they can, without necessarily explaining which one would be most suitable for your needs. And whilst it is understandable that bike shops would want to try to sell you the most expensive option it is important to realise that the most expensive mountain bike might not be the right one for you to buy. For this reason try to buy your first bike from a shop (online or a physical) which places a clear emphasis on customer service.
When it comes to mountain bikes then there are essentially two options to choose from. Hardtail and full suspension. These terms might not mean anything to you yet, but hopefully by the time you have finished this article you will be able to make an informed choice about which style is more appropriate for what you are looking for. A hardtail mountain bike is a bicycle which only has front fork suspension. And as you might have now guessed full suspension refers to the fact that these MTBs have front and rear suspension. In reality this means that a full suspension bike will offer you a more comfortable ride, but that a hardtail bike will be lighter and potentially more agile.
Now you know the difference you need to start to consider why you are buying a mountain bike, what sort of use it will get and how much money you want to spend. As a general rule these factors will make your decision for you. If you can find a shop which will advise you on the specifics of individual mountain bikes, well so much the better.
Unfortunately when you go into some bike shops you may find that their aim is to sell you the most expensive mountain bike they can, without necessarily explaining which one would be most suitable for your needs. And whilst it is understandable that bike shops would want to try to sell you the most expensive option it is important to realise that the most expensive mountain bike might not be the right one for you to buy. For this reason try to buy your first bike from a shop (online or a physical) which places a clear emphasis on customer service.
When it comes to mountain bikes then there are essentially two options to choose from. Hardtail and full suspension. These terms might not mean anything to you yet, but hopefully by the time you have finished this article you will be able to make an informed choice about which style is more appropriate for what you are looking for. A hardtail mountain bike is a bicycle which only has front fork suspension. And as you might have now guessed full suspension refers to the fact that these MTBs have front and rear suspension. In reality this means that a full suspension bike will offer you a more comfortable ride, but that a hardtail bike will be lighter and potentially more agile.
Now you know the difference you need to start to consider why you are buying a mountain bike, what sort of use it will get and how much money you want to spend. As a general rule these factors will make your decision for you. If you can find a shop which will advise you on the specifics of individual mountain bikes, well so much the better.
