Pick the Best Mountain Bike
Buying a mountain bike can seem like a big decision but you can help yourself by getting educated about the important aspects of the bike. When looking to buy your next mountain bike consider the following six points of interest.
Six Points:
1. Price
2. Frame
3. Brakes
4. Shifters
5. Tires
6. Fit
Price:
To get the best mountain bike you can expect to pay several thousand dollars. Set a price limit for your new bike and then find the best quality bike for the price. Depending on where you purchase your mountain bike the less expensive models will run you anywhere between 400 dollars and 800 dollars. To insure that you won’t be replacing your mountain bike in the near future don’t go the route of buying the Walmart specials. This is one of the biggest mistakes I see people make when they buy a mountain bike or any bike for that matter. Rather than getting the inexpensive mountain bike in the beginning and replacing it within a year, you would have been better off with the higher priced mountain from the start. The Iron Horse MK Sport Mountain Bike is a good example of a quality mountain bike at an affordable price.
Brakes:
The best brakes can be found on the best mountain bikes. The choice of rim brakes or disk brakes is a decision you will have to make. Disk brakes will give the best braking efficiency, however the cost will be a bit higher. Rim brakes are generally lighter and cost less but there is a performance consideration to take into effect in wet weather. The Overdrive Mountain Bike is a great example of a high quality mountain bike that utilizes dual disk brakes.
Shifters:
There are basically two types of shifters on mountain bikes, Rapidfire shifters and Gripfit shifters. The difference between the Rapidfire shifters and the Gripfit shifters is in their location on the bike, the Rapidfires shifters are under the brake lever and the Gripfit shifters are designed in conjunction with the handle bar grips. When it comes to choosing the shifters for your bike it should be noted that the more experienced riders seem to like the Rapifire shifters better.
Tires:
It is important to have the larger knobby tires if you are going to be spending most of your time off road. You will get better traction and more control on the uneven terrain. The smaller knobs on the tires will allow for a smoother ride on a paved surface. If you are going to use the mountain bike for off road and on road then look for a tire with a ridge in the middle and medium sized knobs on the side of the tire.
Fit
To get the best mountain bike that suits you well it is important to get the right size bike. A good rule of thumb is to have at least two to three inches of clearance above the top tube while you are standing, straddling the bike. It does matter what terrain you will be ridding on. The more aggressive you plan on riding the more you may want to increase the clearance to the top tube to allow for the aggressive terrain. While sitting on the bike adjust it so your down leg has a slight bend at the knee. Although a matter of personal preference a thirty degree bend at the knee is a fine starting point.
These are just a few of the basics when deciding on the best mountain bike for yourself. If you choose wisely you will enjoy many miles of riding. If you are looking to buy a durable mountain bike that exceeds the highest qualifications of many discerning riders than you have to checkout the Smith & Wesson Custom Police Mountain Bike
