In price sensitive times such as these buying a used mountain bike is a great way for beginners to get into the fantastic world of mountain biking and for seasoned pros to keep participating in the sport they love. There are literally thousands of mountain bikes available so which one is right for you? My five essential tips will help you out.
Mountain bikes are typically sub-categorised into the following: Cross Country (XC), Freeride, All Terrain Trail Bikes, and Downhill (DH). Figure out what type of cyclist you aspire to be taking into account the availability of mountain bike trails local to where you live.
Freeride mountain bikes are great for showing off your skills and tricks, but due to their heavier construction they are not suited to long trails. Cross Country or XC bikes are very efficient because they are constructed from light weight materials. The most specialized of mountain bikes are the Downhill ones that are specifically engineered for exciting downhill racing.
I recommend that if you are just starting out that you consider an All Terrain mountain bike so that you will be able to enjoy most aspects of the sport. It is highly probable that once you get some experience under your belt you will buy a more specialized bike such as a Freeride or XC.
Arguably one of the most common questions when starting out mountain biking is Full Suspension or Hardtail? Hardtail bikes have rear suspension only and require less maintenance and for this reason they tend to be cheaper. Full suspension bikes on the other hand have front and rear suspension which makes them far more comfortable. I recommend full suspension bikes initially as they will be much kinder to your bottom.
Consider where you love as a factor in which type of mountain bike that you buy. Buying a Downhill bike is probably not a great idea if there are no steep trails nearby. Don't be afraid to ask your local bike dealer to check what the mountain bike trails are like in your area.
By being realistic about what type of mountain bike cycling you will be doing and using my tips described above will ensure that you buy the right bike for you. Don't forget to check out online auction sites like eBay and Craigslist for used mountain bikes and grab yourself a bargain.
More Information:
Lance B. Webb is a professional mountain biker with twenty years of experience. Lance has loads more great FREE tips and impartial advice on mountain biking including where to find great deals on
New and Used Mountain Bikes at his blog
myusedmountainbikes.com.
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