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. The following six areas should be thought about before you make your next mountain bike purchase.
Six Points:
1. Price
2. Frame
3. Brakes
4. Shifters
5. Tires
6. Fit
Price:
It will cost several thousand dollars to get the best mountain bike. The first place to start your search is to determine the price you are willing to pay. You can expect to pay somewhere between 300 and 800 dollars for an entry level mountain bike. You can find a cheaper bike at one of the local retail stores but chances are the bike will not hold up and you will be finding yourself replacing parts or even a new bike in a relatively short amount of time. I see this mistake being made when people buy a mountain bike. In the long run you would have been better off getting a more expensive mountain bike and keeping it for years rather than buying the cheap mountain bike and replacing it every year. The Iron Horse MKIII Sport Mountain Bike is a great example of a popular mountain bike at an affordable price.
Brakes:
The best brakes can be found on the best mountain bikes. The decision you have to make is whether to use disk brakes or rim brakes. You will get the best braking with disk brakes but 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 Diamondback Overdrive Mountain Bike is a fine example of a superior mountain bike that uses dual disk brakes.
Shifters:
Rapidfire and Gripfit shifters are the two main types of shifters on the market today. 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. The more experienced riders seem to like the Rapidfire shifters better but ultimately it will be a matter of choice.
Tires:
If you are going to do a lot of off-road riding then you will want to have tires that are designed with the larger knobs. This will give you more traction and control on uneven terrain. If you will be riding mainly on a paved surface then you will want to make sure you have the smaller knobed tires. 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.
Size/Fit:
For the mountain bike to suit you well it must fit you well. While straddling the bike try and maintain a two to three inch clearance above the top tube. The terrain you are traveling will be a determining factor. If you are going to be riding a bit more aggressively you can increase this to four to six inches of clearance to allow for ease of operation over very uneven surfaces. As you are sitting on the bike and your feet on the pedals try and maintain a 30 degree angle with the leg at the bottom of the apex. 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. Choose wisely when starting out and you can expect to get many miles out of your mountain bike. If you are looking to purchase a popular mountain bike that matches the highest qualifications of many experienced riders than you gotta checkout the Smith & Wesson Custom Police Mountain Bike
Tags: diamondback mountain bike, iron horse mountain bike, mountain bikes, smith & wesson mountain bike, The best mountain bike