How to choose a mountain bike depends on what you are going to do with it, if all you want your new mountain bike for is going for a nice leisurely ride on the canal path or a ride in the woods with the dog, well you wont need a full suspension downhill machine with 4 inch travel on the forks and a fully articulated rear end with damping and rebound control.
Where to Start From.
If you do want to go for an easy ride in the park you don’t need to spend too much, if you think you will do any off-road riding then big tread tires maybe all you need, but if you think you might try some rough stuff then you will need suspension. Gears will probably be Shimano, brakes must be V-brakes, but could be made by a few different manufacturers, all the rest of the MTB components will depend on how much you can spend. If you go to your local bike shop or big sports store and see what they’ve got to offer, then buy it or have look on the Internet and maybe you’ll find the same thing at a better price.
The Next Step Up.
So maybe you want to be a bit more adventurous, more off-road, more forest tracks and dry boulder river beds, then you’ll need something a little lighter, with suspension forks. All this will cost you more money, but will be worth it for the extra enjoyment and adventure. With a better mountain bike it will have a sportier handling and because it is lighter, it will be easier to struggle up the hills before you come flying down the other side. The components will again be Shimano and the quality will depend on how much money you can spend. V-brakes and Rapid-fire Gear Shifters, along with Shimano chain set, Bottom Bracket and headset. Handle bars, stem and seat pin should be alloy and along with a comfortable saddle you’ll be set to take to the hills.
More Money, More Bike.
The next rung up on the mountain bike ladder would be good enough to race on. There are many to choose from, get on the net and surf the bike manufacturers sites and all the shop sites along with the magazines for juicy photos of the bikes. The top manufacturers in this price range, I would say are: – Trek, Giant, Specialized and Cannondale, these companies make the nicest frames with the best mountain bike parts available at the price, gears will be either Shimano or SRAM, brakes could be V-brakes or cable disc brakes, both are very good and light, most of the other MTB parts, of course will be Shimano and as usual get the best you can afford. There are many combinations of hubs and rims to make up your wheels; hubs from Shimano and rims form Mavic are the usual mix. Then you have to choose which suspension forks to put on you bike, you may not get a choice, depending on which bike you buy, the main ones are Suntour, Marzocchi, Manitou, Fox, RockShox and RST, buy any of these and you wont go far wrong.
Top Bikes, Top Money.
If you want what the professionals ride you will have to pay a lot of money a professional MTB. As with road bike at the top of the range, you can specify what you want to build up your dream bike. Top bikes frames to spend your money on could be Klien, Scott, Rocky Mountain, Gary Fisher, Santa Cruz and K2; these are some of the most sought after bike frames in the world and would be the envy of your friends. Probably the best forks to put on your frame would be RockShox SID’s these are light and do all the things you need with control of all functions, there are many other to also to consider, look at how much travel they have and the rebound and damping systems. Gears again will be either SRAM or Shimano Rapid fire, XT or XTR, more money could be spent on carbon or very light alloy cranks, the brakes should be hydraulic discs from Hayes, Pace or Magura or stick to the trusted V-bakes. Wheels from Shimano or Mavic or some fancy carbon wheels, but remember they will have to take a lot of punishment, so maybe better to go for reliability over Light Weight expense. Carbon Handle bars, stem and seat pin and a light weight race saddle and Time or Shimano SPD clipless pedals, then your choice of tires will depend on what terrain and ground conditions you are going to ride on.
And Downhilling?
Downhill bikes are very different, more like a cross country motor bike, but without the engine, low center of gravity and a lot of travel on the suspension on the forks and the rear end, disc brakes, wide rims and fat tires, gears are only at the back as usually a single chain set is used. Unless your going to do a lot of downhill racing then there isn’t much point in buying one as you have to get up the hill first before you can come down and as light weight is not an issue with downhill bikes, they are very heavy to get up hill with out the use of a tow rope or a ski lift.
A.Caxton is a the Webmaster and publisher of http://www.bike-cycling-reviews.com. A free online magazine that carries reviews on road bikes as well as mountain bikes. You can find also at Andrew’s cycling site technical reviews on bicycle clothes and heart rate monitors.
Folding Bike Video: $189 23 lb 6 spd Kent Ultralite
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SRAM Attack ATB Mountain Bike Bicycle 8-spd Trigger Shifter Set $54.99 |
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Pearl Izumi X Alp Mountain Bike Shoes 45 – seek select Sidi Shimano spd cleat $14.99 |
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Shimano XTR PD-M959 SPD Clipless Mountain BIke Pedals $72.95 |
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NEW Sram Red Black Chainring // 53T 130 BCD 10spd Speed Road Bike Chain Ring $39.99 |
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PD-M520 Shimano SPD Mountain Bike Pedals Black New!! $0.99 |
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Shimano PD-M520 SPD Clipless Mountain BIke Pedals $23.95 |
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Sram Red Shifter Set // 10spd Speed Road Bike Carbon Cyclocross $208.00 |
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Campagnolo Record Road Front Derailleur // 35mm Clamp On Bottom Swing 10spd Bike $24.99 |
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Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL3 Carbon Road Bike // 54cm Campagnolo Mavic 11 Spd $3,299.99 |
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DNP EPOCH HYPERFLO 7 Spd Bike Cassette Free 13-23t NEW $3.97 |
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SHIMANO Bicycle WATERPROOF Bike CYCLING Biking SPD Cleat SHOES ~Mens size 37 4.5 $69.95 |
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SHIMANO Bicycle WATERPROOF Bike CYCLING Biking SPD Cleat SHOES ~Mens size 36 3.5 $69.95 |
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SRAM Red Rear Derailleur // 10spd Speed Road Bike Carbon Cross $0.99 |
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SHIMANO SIS TY-22 3/7 SPD BIKE SHIFTER LEVER PR SET NEW $3.97 |
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USED Campagnolo Chorus 10 Spd Double Road Bike Crankset 53/39t 172.5mm Aluminum $49.99 |
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SHIMANO SIS TY-22 3/7 SPD BIKE SHIFTER LEVER PR SET NEW $10.97 |
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Shimano XTR M985 Crankset // 10spd Speed Double Mountain Bike MTB Race Crank Set $21.50 |
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Womens Nike Cycling Shimano SPD Shoes Size 9 w/Cleats Mt. Bike/Spinning Class $9.99 |
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New Shimano SM-SH91 SPD-R Road Bike Shoe Cleats! $19.99 |
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Shimano PD-A530 Clipless Platform SPD Clipless MTB / Road Mountain Bike Pedals! $39.99 |
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Shimano PD-M540 Dual Sided SPD Clipless MTB / Road Mountain Bike Pedals! $29.99 |
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Serfas Astro Women’s All Mountain Bike Shoe SPD New In Box $99.95 |
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Serfas Astro Women’s All Mountain Bike Shoe SPD New In Box $99.95 |
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Serfas Astro Women’s All Mountain Bike Shoe SPD New In Box $99.95 |
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Serfas Trax Women’s Mountain Bike & Hike Shoe SPD New In Box $69.95 |
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Serfas Trax Women’s Mountain Bike & Hike Shoe SPD New In Box $69.95 |
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Serfas Trax Women’s Mountain Bike & Hike Shoe SPD New In Box $69.95 |
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Serfas Trax Women’s Mountain Bike & Hike Shoe SPD New In Box $69.95 |
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Serfas Trax Women’s Mountain Bike & Hike Shoe SPD New In Box $69.95 |
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Serfas Astro Men’s All Mountain Bike Shoe SPD New In Box $99.95 |
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Serfas Astro Men’s All Mountain Bike Shoe SPD New In Box $99.95 |
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Serfas Astro Men’s All Mountain Bike Shoe SPD New In Box $99.95 |
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Serfas Astro Men’s All Mountain Bike Shoe SPD New In Box $99.95 |
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Serfas Trax Men’s Mountain Bike & Hike SPD Shoe New In Box $69.95 |
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Serfas Trax Men’s Mountain Bike & Hike SPD Shoe New In Box $69.95 |
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Serfas Trax Men’s Mountain Bike & Hike SPD Shoe New In Box $69.95 |
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Serfas Trax Men’s Mountain Bike & Hike SPD Shoe New In Box $69.95 |
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Serfas Trax Men’s Mountain Bike & Hike SPD Shoe New In Box $69.95 |
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Serfas Trax Men’s Mountain Bike & Hike SPD Shoe New In Box $69.95 |
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NOS Suntour Perfect 5 spd Freewheel Road Bike 14-38 Vtg Touring Bicycle MTB 80′s $85.00 |
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NOS Suntour Perfect 5 spd Freewheel Road Bike 14-32 Vtg Touring Bicycle MTB 80′s $65.00 |
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700c ROAD BIKE (622×13) ALUMINIUM NARROW PROFILE WHEEL SET ALLOY 6/7 SPD HUB $63.18 |
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Serfas Saddleback Men’s Mountain Bike SPD Shoe New In Box Size 49 $79.95 |
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Serfas Saddleback Men’s Mountain Bike SPD Shoe New In Box Size 48 $79.95 |
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Serfas Saddleback Men’s Mountain Bike SPD Shoe New In Box Size 47 $79.95 |
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09′ Marin Drakes Beach Cruiser Bicycle 26″ Mens Cruiser Bike Silver/Copper 3-spd $339.99 |
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09′ Marin Drakes Beach Cruiser Bicycle 26″ Mens Cruiser Bike Silver/Black 1-spd $299.99 |
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SHIMANO PD-M520 MTB BIKE SPD PEDALS – SILVER $21.00 |
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▀▄ SIXSIXONE MOUNTAIN BIKE SHOES SPD COMPATIBLE ▀▄ $39.99 |
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NOS Suntour XCD 6000 Hubs Mountain Bike MTB Bicycle Vtg 36H 1989 7 Spd Cassette $99.00 |
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Shimano Winter Mountain Bike Shoes 40 Red SPD Cycling Shoes NOS MTB $39.99 |
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Honda : CR 1982 Honda CR480R 4 Spd EVO MX Dirt Bike Better Than New Vintage Motocross Racer $900.00 |
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Landshark 61cm Road Bike w/Campagnolo Record 10spd $2,600.00 |
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Shimano Mountain Bike Shoes 38 Camel SPD Cycling Shoes NOS MTB $29.99 |
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SHIMANO SIS TY-22 3/7 SPD BIKE SHIFTER LEVER PR SET NEW $3.97 |
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DNP EPOCH HYPERFLO 7 Spd Bike Cassette Free 13-23t NEW $3.97 |
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Rhoades Car the 4-wheel bike that drives like a car! MADE IN USA! 2 Seater 36spd $1,999.00 |
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Shimano SPD Trail/Commuter MTB Bike Cycling Shoes Size EU 45 SH-M 021G $29.99 |
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Shimano FC-M542 All-Mountain Freeride Bike Crankset Bash Guard 9 Spd 175 36/22 $79.99 |
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FLY RACING TALON SPD II MOUNTAIN BIKE SHOES SIZE 6 $20.00 |
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FLY RACING TALON SPD II MOUNTAIN BIKE SHOES SIZE8 $20.00 |
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FLY RACING TALON SPD II MOUNTAIN BIKE SHOES SIZE 7 $20.00 |
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FLY RACING TALON SPD II MOUNTAIN BIKE SHOES SIZE 8 $20.00 |
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NEW Easton EC90 SLX R4SL Carbon Ceramic Tubular Rear Road Bike Wheel 24mm 10 Spd $1,349.99 |
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NEW Shimano SM-SH51 SPD Mountain Bike Single Release Clipless Pedal Cleats $17.99 |
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Shimano DX Mountain Bike DH Pedals Clipless SPD BMX FreeRide No Cleats $9.00 |
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Shimano PD A530 SPD Pedals Mountain Bike Road Hybrid Cleats Silver $2.25 |
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NEW SPD Bike Pedals with Cleats $35.00 |
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Vintage~Mens~Schwinn Bike~Bicycle Parts~Caliente~10 Spd~Derailleur~Shimano~Front $19.99 |
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Shimano spd road bike shoes size eu 44 us 10 grey/black cycling $14.99 |
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SRAM RIVAL Road Bike Front Derailleur 10 spd 31.8 $67.00 |
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SRAM RED Bike Front Derailleur 10 spd braze on NEW ’11 $88.95 |
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SRAM FORCE Bike Front Derailleur 10 spd clamp on 34.9 2012 $76.00 |
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SRAM FORCE Bike Front Derailleur 10 spd clamp on 31.8 $76.00 |
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SRAM FORCE Bike Front Derailleur 10 spd braze on New $63.00 |
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VP Components Clip In SPD pedals MTB Mountain bike Silver NEW VP-M11 $15.00 |
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Shimano Sora FD3400 Road Bike Front Derailleur Double Band Type 9-Spd 34.9mm New $30.99 |
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Shimano SH-M077 Men’s Clipless SPD Mountain Bike Shoes or Road Bike Shoes $50.00 |
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Shimano PD A530 SPD Pedals Mountain Bike Road Hybrid Cleats Silver $6.50 |
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NOS 80′S SUNTOUR GPX ACCUSHIFT ROAD BIKE DOWN TUBE SHIFTERS 7 SPD $40.00 |
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Nike mountain bike cycling shoes SPD cleats Women’s 7 $19.00 |
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Shimano Dura Ace SPD SL PD-7810 Road Bike Pedals – MSRP $240 $50.00 |
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DIADORA GEKO CYCLING SHOES CLEATS-SPD Compatible-Mountain Bike Cyclo Cross-US 10 $9.99 |
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Shimano M970 XTR Mountain Bike / SPD Pedals – One Season & Smooth! $49.99 |
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Truvativ Stylo Team Crankset & BB // 9spd Speed Isis Mountain Bike MTB Crank Set $24.99 |
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NEW SHIMANO R240 ROAD CYCLING SHOES BIKE SPD-SL 8.5 $215.95 |
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Pair Dura Ace SL-BS77 Bar End Shifters // 9 spd Road TT Bike SIS Friction $59.99 |
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NEW SHIMANO R240 ROAD CYCLING SHOES BIKE SPD-SL 7.5 $237.95 |
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Campagnolo Record DT Swiss RR465 Wheels Set // Road Bike 10 11spd Speed 700c $3.89 |
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NEW Shimano 105 5600 Crankset // 10spd Speed 53-39t 165mm Road Bike Crank Set $99.99 |
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New Schwinn 26 Womens Southport Cruiser 7-Spd Bike-Fuchsia-S2761 $152.95 |
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Shimano Deore XT PD-M770 SPD Clipless Pedals with cleats BMX Mountain Road Bike $75.00 |
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5 x 16mm Bolt for SPD Cleats, Bag of 10 $4.68 Various Manufacturers Pedal Bolts for SPD Cleats.Countersunk headUses 3mm hexItem SpecificationsFitsSPD Cleats… |
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Hudz Ultegra 6600 Hoods Green for 10-Speed $6.50 Ultegra 10-speed compatible colored hoods with color choices optimized for Cinelli, Deda, Fizik, and other popular bar tapes. Features: Improved ergonomics for all day riding comfort… |
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Multi-Function Wireless Bicycle Bike Computer $6.09 … |
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Shimano RD-4500 Tiagra Rear Derallieur (SS Short Cage, 9-Speed, Silver) $39.99 Shimano Tiagra Rear Derallieurs.High-precision action for 7-, 8- or 9-speed systemsLarge 11-tooth pulleys run more quietly and wear evenlyItem SpecificationsColorSilver/BlackWeight265gIntended UseRoadCassette SpacingShimano/SRAM 9Shifter/Derailleur CompatibilityShimanoLargest Cog27teethChain Wrap Capacity29teethDerailleur ActionTop-Normal (Traditional)Cage LengthShort… |
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