Mountain biking is exhilarating, edgy, and just dangerous enough to get your adrenaline going. This fantastic sport pushes you to new levels of fitness and gives you a great workout.
Buying the right bike for you will make a huge difference to what you can do. However, this kit is not cheap, so you want to be sure you are buying a machine that suits you.
Your budget
The first step is to determine what your budget is. Start by determining how much you have to spend. Doing so will narrow down your options and make the buying decision easier.
Bear in mind that you will also need a helmet, gloves and cycling apparel. Your bike will require servicing and inevitably, there will be repair bills, so you need to factor those expenses into your budget.
The right bike for your skill level
If you have not been riding for long and are not sure if mountain biking is for you it just does not make sense to buy an expensive bike. This is the case even if you can afford to do so. When you are starting out you are far better off buying a mid-range model.
Later, when you are sure that you want to continue with the sport you can sell your bike on and spend a bit more. At that point, you will know what style of riding you like, and will have worked out what level you want to ride at.
If you know that you want to ride competitively, it makes sense to invest in things like carbon-framed pedals to reduce the weight of your bike. Doing so will help you to shave seconds off your run. On the other hand, if you decide that you only want to ride occasionally you can stick with your mid-range machine instead.
Frame type and size
The kind of frame you buy is also important. Which type you need depends on the style of riding you are planning to do, your current skill level, and your budget.
For most beginners, on a limited budget an aluminium or steel frame is best. As you get faster and more skilled, you can graduate to carbon fibre or titanium.
You need to be sure to buy the correct frame size. Buying one that has the proper dimensions is crucial, regardless of the type of riding you plan to do. If you do not know how to measure yourself for a bike frame ask an experienced rider or dealer to help you.
Always buy a good quality bike
Buying from a company that specialises in selling mountain bikes is always wise. This type of firm sells good quality gear that you know is built for the job, and will not let you down.
This great online bike shop is an example of the kind of retailer we are talking about. They sell all kinds of bikes and the equipment you need to look great, ride better and stay safe.