How to Choose a New Mountain Bike
If you’ve decided to buy a new mountain bike to ride off-road, or maybe you want to ride it on the road sometimes with the option to go off-road. Either way, mountain bikes are an excellent investment that can help you get to your destination or provide a lot of fun. Depending on what you plan on doing on your mountain bike, how often you’re going to ride it and how dedicated you are to the sport, you’ll need a bike that suits you. Here are some things you need to consider when choosing a new mountain bike.
Full suspension or hardtail
When buying a mountain bike, you will notice two types of suspension on some bikes and only one on others. Bikes without rear suspension are called hardtail bikes. Full suspension bikes have both front and rear suspension. Full suspension bikes are more expensive and can be heavier than hardtail bikes. The benefits of back suspension are best felt off-road on bumpy terrain; it will allow you to move over hard surfaces more easily and prevent injuries to your back or hips. If you plan on using your mountain bike for regular off-road days and sports activities, you’re best riding a full suspension bike. Hardtail mountain bikes are less expensive, and they’re a better option if you regularly ride on the road and only occasionally use the bike off-road to cut across fields or on rougher paths.
Disc or rim brakes
When buying a mountain bike, you have a couple of options regarding the type of brakes you can purchase. Disc brakes apply pressure to the disc in the middle of the wheel, whereas rim brakes apply pressure to the rim of the wheel itself to stop the bike from moving forward. Overall, disc brakes are much better than rim brakes in terms of performance; they have much more stopping power and are better in wet and muddy conditions. You can also adjust disc brakes to the rider, so you can find the level of braking that works best for your bike. Rim brakes have some benefits; they’re cheaper and lighter, which is great if you’re on a budget. However, they will wear out the tire more quickly than disc brakes. Most riders should opt for disc brakes if they can afford the increased cost.
Pedals
The pedals you choose on your mountain bike are very important; they help you climb hills and are used constantly to ride the bike. There are two types of pedals: clipless and flat pedals. Clipless pedals actually clip into your specially designed mountain bike shoes, despite being called clipless. Flat pedals don’t clip into your shoes; instead, they have spikes for added grip. Clipless pedals are the best choice for more serious riders; they improve efficiency and keep your foot in place. Flat pedals are ok for beginner riders or those who don’t ride off-road for sport. However, you need to be careful as your foot can easily slip off the pedals during riding; this can lead to injury. Flat pedals are much cheaper and often the standard option on most mountain bikes. You will need to buy mountain bike shoes with the right clip attachment that matches your pedals to use clipless pedals whilst riding.
These are just a few things to consider when buying a new mountain bike. There are many other options such as frame material, the type of suspension, wheel size, gears and bike size. Before buying a mountain bike, make sure you do your research to learn about the options available and the benefits of each feature. A bike shop is a good place to visit to get a feel for the type of bike you like the look of and will enjoy riding; this is especially useful if you’re a beginner. Specialist bike shops are often very knowledgeable and can advise you on the best type of mountain bike for your specific needs. When shopping for mountain bikes, keep in mind your budget and how often you’re going to use the bike; if you’re more of a casual rider, you won’t need to invest in many of the expensive extras the professionals need.
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