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This article is intended to help first time buyer determine what they should be looking for in a mountain bike. It is intentionally left broad because there are so many choices. The goal is help you decide what class of bike you need. Enjoy! What bike should I buy? I have often been asked, “What bike should I buy?” from people wanting to get into mountain biking. Although this question may seem deserving of an easy answer, the fact is, there isn’t one. There are many factors to consider before buying a bike. However, before I go into that, I would like to take some time to explain why it is important to buy a quality bike. The price of a quality bike may shock most 1st time buyers. A basic, entry-level mountain bike can easily cost $500 or more. Now, before you decide that $500 is too much to spend on a bike, and instead head to the nearest department store, hear me out. Most department store mountain bikes are not actually intended to be ridden off-road. They are heavy. They are poorly manufactured and lack quality parts. The weight of a mountain bike is important because the heavier it is, the harder you will have to work to pedal it to the top of the mountain. The amount of extra work required will cause most people to give up quickly. The lighter the bike is, the more nimble it will feel, the faster it will accelerate and the easier it will be to pedal uphill. Starting with a quality mountain bike is also important because it will last longer and holds a higher resell value. The parts used on most brand-name bicycles are built well and can be serviced easily. Another benefit of buying a quality bicycle from your local bike shop is the service and support you will receive. Many shops will provide free tune-up packages with your bikes and are very willing to assist with any warranty problems if they arise. The bicycle shops will also have well trained mechanics and experienced sales people to find just the right bike for you. Now that I have your attention and you understand why spending the extra money on a bike is worth it, let’s get back to your question. What bike should I buy? The most important thing to do is buy a bike that fits you. The best way to do so is to visit your local shop and have them size you. This will ensure the most comfortable and efficient ride for your body. Bicycles come in a variety of sizes and your local shop will be able to find the right one that fits. The next step is to start asking yourself some questions: How often do you plan on riding? What is your budget? What type of terrain will you be riding on? Let’s take one at a time. How often do you plan on riding? If you are going to ride a lot (>3 days a week), you will need a higher quality bike then if you are planning to only ride a few days a month. It all goes back to the quality of parts. The higher quality the parts, the longer they will last, the better they will perform and more likely to be serviceable. What is your budget? $500? $1000+? Set a goal of what you can afford and start looking at bikes in that price range. If you are going to be riding a lot, buy the nicest one you can for the reasons mentioned above. If not, start with something in the lower price range and if you find you enjoy it more than you thought, you can always upgrade in the future. Don’t start too low though, or else the bike might not provide you with enough performance to get the full enjoyment out of the sport. What type of terrain will you be riding on? If you are planning to stick to city paths most of the time with an occasional off-road adventure, you need be less concerned with high-end suspension components. If your rides will consist of long, mountain rides through rugged terrain, spend more time comparing the suspension designs between bikes in your price range and try to find the best one your money can buy. Suspension is important because it gives the rider more control and a more comfortable ride. Suspension setups can cause the manufacturers to give-and-take on other components, so be sure to compare the overall package when looking at different models. Regardless of which bike you choose, the key is to have fun on it. If you fall in love with the sport (which I hope you do), a nice bike will keep you riding for years. Good luck shopping! |
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